HŽ series 2062 diesel-electric (2,006 kW) for non-electrified sections; HŽ series 1141/1142 electric for electrified Zagreb–Oštarije (103 km); new KONČAR electro-diesel DEMU (2,200 kW electric + diesel hybrid, 160 km/h max, 150 passengers: 18 first class + 132 second class, six units delivered July–December 2026)
Track Gauge
1,435 mm (standard gauge)
Braking Technology
Air brakes with ICN active tilting up to 8° for curve negotiation; new KONČAR DEMU equipped with modern disc brakes and regenerative braking
Route Engineering Challenges
Dinaric Alps crossing — highest point approximately 1,200 m via the Lika plateau, originally built 1925 as part of the Kingdom of SHS policy to integrate the Adriatic coast with the interior
Hybrid traction swap at Oštarije — switch from electric (25 kV AC) to diesel at the end of the electrified section, scheduled to be eliminated by the new KONČAR electro-diesel DEMUs from July 2026
Tight mountain curvature — requires tilting stock (ICN active tilt up to 8°) for viable line speeds
Karst geology — extensive tunnelling through soluble limestone, with 60+ tunnels on the M604 alone
Coastal-to-continental climate shift in 8 hours — vehicles and HVAC systems must cope with +35°C Adriatic heat at Split and -5°C continental sub-zero at Zagreb in winter, demanding robust thermal management on both ICN tilting and KONČAR DEMU rolling stock
Route
M604 Lika railway: Zagreb Glavni Kolodvor → Split, 429 km
Electrification
Partial — 103 km Zagreb to Oštarije electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz AC; remaining 326 km non-electrified (diesel traction)
Max Speed
160 km/h (ICN tilting and new KONČAR DEMU); 120 km/h on legacy sections
Rolling Stock
Bombardier/Consorzio ICN tilting diesel trainsets (2004, being replaced); six new KONČAR electro-diesel hybrids (July–December 2026 delivery)
KONČAR DEMU Features
Low-floor boarding, wheelchair accessible, free Wi-Fi, power outlets at every seat, bicycle storage, CCTV, multimedia passenger information screens, self-service vending machines, 4 doors per side, couplable for doubled capacity on peak services
Tunnels & Viaducts
60+ tunnels on the M604; numerous deep valley viaducts — some only accessible by rail
Gradient
Up to 25‰ on steepest sections
Fleet Investment
€57.3 million EIB loan for the six KONČAR DEMUs; an additional five hybrid trains contracted for 2027 to serve Osijek, Rijeka and Pula routes
Future Fleet
13 further hybrid and battery trains ordered (2027–2028 delivery) for Croatia's secondary intercity corridors
2026 Fleet Rollout
Three of six KONČAR DEMUs in service as of 26 August 2026 (HZPP-7012, HZPP-7013, HZPP-7014); remaining three (HZPP-7015–7017) delivered at monthly intervals September–December 2026
Quick Facts
Duration
7.97 hours
Distance
429 km
Est. Price
Affordable to Moderate (€15.06–€40 base IC seat fare; berth supplements €7–€25 additional; mandatory reservation €1.06/segment)