| Samoborček | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Croatia, Slovenia |
| Dates of operation | January 14, 1901–December 31, 1979 |
| Track gauge | 760 mm (2 ft 5 7⁄8 in) |
| Headquarters | Zagreb |
Samoborček (English pronunciation: /ˈsɑːmoʊbɔərtʃɛk/) is name of historic Croatian narrow gauge railway operating from 1901 until 1979, linking Zagreb and Samobor with extension to Bregana.[1] [2]
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Initially, Samoborček was projected as cargo train, to connect Samobor companies with growing Zagreb industry and market because the only connection was horse omnibus.[1] Railway was public company until end of second war, when it was nationalized and became "Gradska željeznica Zagreb-Samobor" ("Zagreb-Samobor City Railway").[2] Eventually, the railway was neglected in favor of truck and bus traffic and interrupted operation in 1979.[1] All infrastructure was abandoned and dismantled.
Samoborček had single 760 mm (2 ft 5 7⁄8 in) narrow-gauge track. Initial length was 19 km (12 mi), from Zagreb to Samobor via Podsused. In the 1950s the track was extended for extra miles to Bregana and military overhaul workshops in Slovenia.[1]
Stations were:
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Until the 1950s there were various steam engine driven compositions. Average speed was 15 to 20 km/h (10 - 12 mph). From the 1950s until end of operation DMU aluminum compositions, officially called DEV and nicknamed "Srebrna strijela" ("Silver arrow") took over, with max speed of 50 km/h (30 mph).[1][2]
Although all tracks were removed, a large part of other railway infrastructure (embankments, bridges) survives today, usually without function. Most of railway stations and embankments survived, mostly they were converted into shops, restaurants and warehouses. One of steam driven compositions is at display at location in Samobor.
A new link has been announced and is due to be built in 2008-2012. This link will be standard gauge and tie in with normal Croatian Railways operations, with max speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).[3]