Rhodope narrow-gauge railway: 100 years of magic on the rails

Some trains carry passengers. Others carry stories, emotions and memories. The Rhodope narrow-gauge railway is one of them. For a century now, it has been running between Septemvri and Dobrinishte, crossing the Rila, Rhodope and Pirin mountains and turning every journey into an encounter with a different Bulgaria — beautiful, peaceful and seemingly untouched by time.

August 1 marked 100 years since the first train set off on the Septemvri–Velingrad section — the beginning of a journey that today is not merely a railway line, but a true legend. To mark the anniversary, Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) is preparing to restore a narrow-gauge steam locomotive, which will once again pull special trains along the iconic route.

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We spoke about the magic of the narrow-gauge railway, its history, and its future with Kristian Vaklinov, chairman of the Association “For the Narrow-Gauge Railway” — a man who has made the preservation of this unique railway his personal cause.

According to him, the reasons why the Rhodope narrow-gauge railway is so beloved go far beyond its stunning scenery.

“It is unique not only because it is the only remaining narrow-gauge railway in Bulgaria. It is unique because it connects people, lives and mountains. The beautiful scenery, tunnels, bridges and the railway itself turn the journey into an experience unlike any other in Bulgaria”, Kristian Vaklinov says

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An engineering feat built by hand

The history of the narrow-gauge railway is a story of hard work, perseverance, and engineering daring. Construction began in 1921, and just five years later, the first 39 kilometres between Septemvri and Velingrad had been completed.

What remains remarkable to this day is that much of the route was built by hand, carved through the rocks of the Chepino Gorge, long before modern machinery made such projects easier.

“This is a true tribute to the people who built the railway. Some even devoted their lives to it without ever imagining that, a hundred years later, their work would continue to inspire so many people. The railway has 35 tunnels and over 1,000 metres of elevation gain, climbing to the highest railway station in the Balkans — Avramovo. The twists and turns of the route are another part of what attracts people from around the world, who come to admire what has been achieved. They come to see it with their own eyes, having read online that Bulgaria has this little train that has been winding its way through the mountains for 100 years”, the association’s chairman notes.

When slow speed becomes an advantage

In a world where we are all constantly rushing, the Rhodope narrow-gauge railway seems to offer the opposite — a chance to slow down.

Today, the train travels at an average speed of around 38 kilometres per hour — something that was once seen as a drawback but has now become one of its greatest attractions.

Instead of rushing toward your destination, you have time to look out the window, follow the winding rivers, count the tunnels, and admire the centuries-old forests and steep mountain slopes.

Tourists from around the world

In recent years, interest in the Rhodope narrow-gauge railway has been steadily growing. More and more tourists are choosing it as a unique way to explore the mountains.

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What is particularly interesting is that an increasing number of passengers now come from different countries and continents specifically to experience the legendary little train.

According to Kristian Vaklinov, this is the clearest evidence that the narrow-gauge railway has long since evolved beyond its role as a simple means of transport and is gradually becoming one of Bulgaria’s most recognizable tourist attractions.

The steam locomotive – a long-awaited return

One of the most exciting developments surrounding the railway’s centenary is the upcoming restoration of the steam locomotive.

For many years, it was the hallmark of the special anniversary trains, and for many people, travelling behind it remains one of their most unforgettable experiences.

“A steam locomotive brings a different kind of emotion. For children, it is a true wonder, while for older people, it is a journey back to cherished memories. We are all eagerly looking forward to seeing it run on the rails again”, Vaklinov says. 

The big dream

As the narrow-gauge railway celebrates its 100th anniversary, it is also looking to the future.

Kristian Vaklinov believes its enormous tourism potential is yet to be fully developed. His vision include more heritage trains, panoramic carriages, and themed tourist routes that would make the journey an even more memorable experience.

He is convinced that the railway deserves to be developed not merely as a means of transport, but as a national treasure and a symbol of Bulgaria’s natural beauty and engineering heritage.

A journey that stays in your heart

At the end of the conversation, Kristian Vaklinov extended an invitation to everyone who has yet to experience the Rhodope narrow-gauge railway:

“Get on this little train. It will not simply take you from one station to another; it will show you a different Bulgaria — one that we rarely get to see through a car window.”

And perhaps that is the great secret of the Rhodope narrow-gauge railway.

It does not impress with speed, luxurious carriages, or modern technology.

It impresses with soul.

For 100 years, this little train has tirelessly crossed the mountains, bringing people and generations together and proving that the most beautiful journeys are not always the fastest.

Sometimes, they are the journeys that make us slow down, look out the window, and remember that the beauty lies in the journey itself.

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov