Durrës–Tirana railway
| Durrës–Tirana railway | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Train in Kashar station serving Tirana, May 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termini | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stations | Existing 8, Planned 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | Commuter rail | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| History | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opened | 27 January 1949 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Closed | September 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reopened | TBC 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line length | 38 km (23.61 mi) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating speed | 62 mph (100 km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Durrës–Tirana railway was a railway line which initially joined the two biggest cities in Albania, Durrës and Tirana. The line connected to the Shkodër–Vorë railway halfway in Vorë, and connected onwards to the Durrës-Vlorë railway and Durrës-Pogradec railway in Durrës.
The Durrës–Tirana line was built during 1948-1949, based exclusively on the work of volunteers and was the second passenger railway in Albania after the Durrës-Peqin railway which had been completed a year earlier. It was operated by Hekurudha Shqiptare (HSH).
In September 2013, the Tirana end of the line was dismantled as the Tirana station was torn down to make way for the lengthening of the Tirana main boulevard. As a result, passengers to and from Tirana had to initially use the Vorë station in 2013, and later the renovated Kashar station in May 2015. The station in Kashar was itself closed in 2018, ending the rail connection from Durrës to Tirana. There is now no rail connection between Tirana and Durrës.
In 2021, HSH signed a contract with Italian company INC for the rehabilitation of the Durrës–Tirana railway line and the construction of a new leg linking the line to Mother Teresa Airport.[1] The rebuilt line is expected to begin operating in early 2027, with electric trains and speeds up to 120 km/h.[2]
History
The railway was 38 km long connecting the two most important cities of Albania, Tirana, the capital, and Durrës, the second largest city. It was built during 1948-1949 and was the second standard gauge passenger railway in Albania after that which linked Durrës to Peqin, which was completed in 1948.[3]
The works started from the Shkozet station (near Durrës) on April 11, 1948. Overall 29,000 young people of the Labour Youth Union of Albania and 1400 qualified technicians from all Albania participated to the building of the railway. In addition, young volunteers sent from the Youth sections of the Communist parties of Bulgaria and Yugoslavia participated in the construction. During the Albanian-Yugoslavian split in 1948, the Yugoslavian volunteers were accused of sabotage, especially the engineers. The works continued under the supervision of Soviet engineer Valeri Gaydarov. Rails were imported from the Soviet Union through the port of Durrës. The volunteering brigades had as a goal to finish the railway by the 31st anniversary of the Red Army, on 23 February 1949, and the goal was successfully achieved.[3]
Two of the most important works during construction were the Rrashbull Tunnel (212 m) and the Erzen Bridge (91 m long). The bridge was finished on October 16, 1948, the 40th birthday of then Prime Minister, Enver Hoxha. The tunnel was dug by the Bulgarian youth group Georgi Dimitrov, which was eventually given the Flag of the Brigades award (Albanian: Flamuri i Brigadave).[3] The brigade of the Albanian Police was instead awarded five times the Attacking Award (Albanian: Sulmues).[3] The inauguration was made by future would be Politburo member Spiro Koleka.[3]
2010 accident
An accident occurred on the railway on July 25, 2010. A police SUV was on the rail and the train could not avoid the collision with it. As a result, the police car was pushed for a certain distance until the train went to a complete stop. Not only were the three Albanian policemen not injured, but they also went to argue with the machinist to accuse him that he had to stop earlier and pay more attention.[4]
Future
Renovation of the line
In 2018, funding for the €90.5 million rehabilitation/construction cost of the railway was secured, financed through a grant of €35.4 million from the EU through the Western Balkans Infrastructure Fund, a loan of €36.8 million from the EBRD, and the Albanian government itself providing the remaining €16 million.[5]
In 2019, a tender for the project was announced.[6] In 2021, HSH signed a contract with Italian company INC for the rehabilitation of the railway and the construction of a new leg extending to Mother Teresa Airport.[1]
In 2023, HSH expressed the hope of completing reconstruction works by 2024.[7] The completion of the project was initially pushed back three months due to delays in the construction of several bridges, then delayed another year to 2025 to accommodate the stations closer to the city center of Tirana.[8]
The current stated date of opening is early 2027.[2]
Stations
| Station | Image | Opened | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durrës | 1949 | Closed for trains due to rehabilitation works as of 2023 | |
| Shkozet | 1949 | No trains stop here | |
| Sukth | Service year round | ||
| Vorë | 1949 | Closed as of 2023 | |
| Kashar | Closed as of 2023 | ||
| Kamëz | Defunct as of Sept 2013 | ||
| Tirana | 27 January 1949 | Defunct as of Sept 2013 |
See also
References
- ^ a b Jonuzaj, Klaudjo (10 November 2021). "Italy's INC starts overhaul of Albania's Tirana-Durres railway – PM Rama". SeeNews. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ a b Gjonaj, Arlinda (22 September 2025). "Hekurudha Tiranë-Durrës-Rinas nis operimin me tren elektrik në 2027-ën" [Tirana-Durrës-Rinas Railway to start operating with electric trains in 2027]. Albanian Telegraphic Agency (in Albanian). Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Gjika, Alqi (2009). "Hekurudha Shqiptare "Si u ndertua ne menyre vullnetare"" (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 2 April 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
- ^ Gazeta Shqip. "Treni i linjës Durrës-Tiranë përplas fuoristradën e policisë" (in Albanian). Retrieved 13 September 2010.
- ^ "Albania gets EU grant for railway line to port, airport". Reuters. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "Tender begins for Albania's most important rail project". Railway PRO. 1 November 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- ^ "Hekurudha Tiranë Durrës përfundon vitin e ardhshëm" [Tirana Durres Railway to be completed next year]. Kapitali.al (in Albanian). 19 October 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ Çibuku, Arbjona (25 June 2024). "Mes vonesave për përfundimin, hekurudha Tiranë-Durrës kërkon 56 milionë euro shtesë" [Amid delays in completion, Tirana-Durres railway requires additional 56 million euros]. Citizens.al (in Albanian). Retrieved 22 September 2025.