site.btaRhodope Narrow-Gauge Railway: Magnet for Tourists, Lifeline for Locals

Despite being one of Bulgaria's most unique tourist and nature attractions, the Rhodope narrow-gauge railway still faces a lot of challenges. Last week, media reported that the line risks being closed down. Talking to BTA, Rhodope Narrow-Gauge Railway Association President Kristian Vaklinov denied that there is such a risk but highlighted other significant issues that need to be addressed.

The Rhodope narrow-gauge railway meanders between the Rhodope Mountains, Mt Rila and Mt Pirin amidst a breathtaking natural scenery. The 124.7 km line runs from the winter and spa resort of Dobrinishte via Bansko with its popular ski slopes and apres-ski hustle and bustle, Razlog (a hotspot for Bulgarian cuisine lovers), Belitsa (famous for its Dancing Bears Park), Yakoruda (noted for its history and ethnic mix), Avramovo (the Balkans' highest railway station - 1,267 m above sea level), Velingrad (a major spa centre), and Septemvri (formerly Saranbey, a link-up to the Sofia-Yambol-Burgas railway). The narrow-gauge line connects three ethno-cultural regions: Thrace, the Western Rhodopes, and Pirin Macedonia.

The 760-mm-gauge line passes through 35 tunnels and crosses two rivers over three bridges. The first train left Saranbey for Ladzhene (now a neighbourhood of Velingrad) on August 1, 1926. That first leg of the route was just 38.3 km long. Construction of the line, bringing it to its present length, continued until 1945.

At the end of January 2024, just a single locomotive pulled the trains of the Rhodope narrow-gauge railway between Septemvri and Dobrinishte. Nine out of a total of 14 train services were discontinued. Vaklinov blamed the cancellations on the lack of spare parts for locomotives which often need to be repaired.

In January, MP Vasil Todev initiated an important round table on the future of the narrow-gauge railway in Velingrad. Some of the municipalities along the route, the Ministry of Tourism, the Bulgarian National Railways (BDZ), the National Railway Infrastructure Company (NRIC) and the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association were represented at the discussion, along with Vaklinov himself, who has been instrumental in reviving interest in the railway for over 10 years now.

Vaklinov wrote on Facebook that the meeting was productive, and that participants showed interest in pooling their efforts to create a tourism product from the line and the numerous tourist sites along the route, with the active involvement of local government and the Tourism Ministry. The NRIC are committed to taking proper care of the track and other facilities, and BDZ has provided additional wagons, including ones that can carry ski equipment, as well as ones adapted for disabled passengers.

The crucial and urgent issue that remains to be addressed is better locomotive maintenance, Vaklinov pointed out.

He urged central government to stabilize and develop the country's potential, such as the narrow-gauge line, before the situation becomes critical. He believes and hopes that the matter would be addressed adequately.

In his Facebook post, Vaklinov thanked his colleagues who are on the ground struggling to keep the line in operation and wished luck to those higher up that care and will do something about the situation. "We are counting on you," the message concluded.

Back in 2013, Vaklinov gained popularity as "the keeper of the narrow-gauge railway". Only 18 years old at that time, he campaigned for a restart of the cancelled train services between Dobrinishte and Yakoruda and enabling locals to use this vital means of transport in their everyday life and work, as well as that tourists could enjoy the pleasure of the trip and the views.

Vaklinov came to love the narrow-gauge train as a child, when his grandparents would often take him on a ride.

He said in his BTA interview: "As I travelled on the line like a tourist, I saw for myself that people feared that the train may be grounded altogether, after two services on the route were cancelled, leaving many commuters without an option. As a citizen, a young person, I decided to try to get at least one of those services that were cancelled in 2011 back on track. That was my intervention, my involvement."

In 2013, Vaklinov wrote multiple letters to those in charge, and after the third letter, the Dobrinishte-Yakoruda service was resumed. This kindled Vaklinov's fervour even further: he started counting passengers, analyzing, doing research, advocating changes in the timetable, so that the trains that run would become more comfortable and attract more passengers.

As President of the Rhodope Narrow-Gauge Railway Association, Vaklinov circulates information about the railway and promotes it.

He argued that the major problem of this service is that the State does not develop it as an interesting landmark and tourist attraction. The narrow-gauge railway currently continues to be just a means of transport in the area. He says that BDZ and the State do not draw a distinction between the narrow gauge and the rest of the railways in the country.

A BDZ employee for six years, Vaklinov is frustrated at being unable to help eliminate major issues. He stressed that there is no point in promotion when the State cannot ensure the transportation of passengers. Line repairs take a very long time, and service is not up to par. In addition, locomotives are scarce, broken-down trains are often replaced by buses, and travellers find this very disappointing. The locomotives are in a poor condition, and their repair and the supply of spare parts is underfunded.

"It is sad that a 135-year-old company like BDZ, which epitomized progress and  brought tangible progress, is now in this condition. Most train riders in Bulgaria use this means of transport out of necessity. Because it is dirt cheap against the background of the steeply rising cost of living. They don't use trains because it's the better service. And it can be improved dramatically without much funding," argued Vaklinov.

He stressed that the narrow gauge railway has earned international acknowledgement for the beautiful landscapes along its route and the prospects it offers, connecting so many diverse resorts where all kinds of tourism can be practiced.