Oravița–Anina Railway (Semmeringul Bănățean)

CFR Călători (national rail operator)
Romania
Loading Map...
The Journey

Navigate from Oravița Station to Anina Station across a span of 33.7km.

Scenery Highlights
  • 10 stone viaducts spanning the Caraș gorges
  • 14 hand-carved tunnels through limestone
  • Maximum gradient of 21 ‰ — among the steepest mainline railways in Romania
  • Caraș River canyon views
  • Banat Mountains forested ridges
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    1.5 hours

  • Distance

    33.7 km

  • Est. Price

    Very affordable (2nd class approx. 8.6 RON / ~€1.70 one-way)

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

Diesel multiple unit (typical CFR class 772 / 775 'Săgeata Albastră' stock on the Banat branch)

Locomotive Weight

Varies by rolling stock

Track Gauge

760 mm (2 ft 5 15⁄16 in) — Bosnian / forestry gauge

Braking Technology

Standard DMU air brakes plus magnetic track brakes on steep gradients

Route Engineering Challenges

  • Maximum gradient of 21 ‰ — one of the steepest mainline railways in Romania

  • Minimum curve radius as tight as 90 m

  • Maintenance of 14 unlined hand-carved tunnels

  • Restoration required after 2022 storm damage (long closure 2016–2021 due to track degradation)

  • Single-track operation with passing loops at intermediate stations

Year Opened

1863 (first section Oravița–Brădișor); full line to Anina by 1863 under StEG

Line Length

33.7 km

Maximum Gradient

21 ‰ (2.1%)

Tunnels

14 (hand-carved, unlined)

Viaducts

10 stone viaducts (the largest is the 7-arch Jitin / Maidan viaduct)

Origin

Built by StEG (Staats-Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft) under Habsburg / Austro-Hungarian administration

Original Purpose

Coal transport from the Anina mines to the Danube at Baziaș

Heritage Status

Listed as a historical monument of Romania; one of the oldest mountain railways in continental Europe

Reopening

Full service restored 2021 after a multi-year closure for track refurbishment

Operator

CFR Călători (national passenger operator)

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    1.5 hours

  • Distance

    33.7 km

  • Est. Price

    Very affordable (2nd class approx. 8.6 RON / ~€1.70 one-way)

Official Booking Provider