Bohinj Railway

Slovenske železnice (SŽ) — Slovenian Railways
Slovenia
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The Journey

Navigate from Jesenice Railway Station to Nova Gorica Station across a span of 89km.

Scenery Highlights
  • Lake Bled approaches — the iconic island church and castle views from the line
  • Solkan Bridge — 220m, 65m arch; world record largest stone arch on a railway
  • Julian Alps peaks visible from the northbound climb above Podbrdo
  • Soča River Valley outlook as the line descends to Most na Soči and Nova Gorica
  • Bohinj Tunnel — 6,327m underground beneath the Julian Alps main ridge
  • Bohinjska Bistrica — gateway to Triglav National Park and the Tolmin gorges
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    2 hours

  • Distance

    89 km

  • Est. Price

    Affordable

Official Booking Provider

Classes & Accommodations

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No


Track Gauge

1,435 mm (standard gauge)

Braking Technology

Air brakes (modern EMU/DMU regional rolling stock); vacuum brakes retained on heritage carriages

Route Engineering Challenges
  • 6,327m Bohinj Tunnel beneath the Julian Alps — the longest railway tunnel in Slovenia and the longest in the Austro-Hungarian Empire at its 1906 opening

  • Solkan Bridge — 220m total length, 65m arch height, world-record largest stone arch on any railway, built 1900–1904

  • 28 mountain tunnels totalling approximately 12 km requiring alpine ventilation and drainage systems

  • Steep adhesion-only gradients on the approach to Bohinjska Bistrica from both directions

  • Multi-level rock-blast sections above the Soča River gorge near Most na Soči

  • Single-track heritage sections requiring careful scheduling between regional and museum services

Route

Jesenice – Nova Gorica, 89 km; double track on operational sections, single track on museum sections

Opened

1906 (Bohinj Tunnel completed 1906; full line operational 1906)

Historic name

Transalpina — built by the Austro-Hungarian Empire to give Trieste a second Alpine rail connection

Locomotives (museum)

SŽ 25-026 (1920, Vienna-built, 2'B wheel arrangement) and SŽ 33-037 (1914, 0-6-0 tender locomotive)

Locomotives (regional)

SŽ series 312/313 EMU; SŽ 641/642 DMU; electric traction on electrified sections

Max speed

100 km/h (regional); 40 km/h (heritage steam)

Bridges/Viaducts

65 bridges; Solkan Bridge 220m long, 65m arch — world record stone arch railway bridge

Tunnels

28 tunnels totalling approximately 12 km; Bohinj Tunnel 6,327m

Electrification

3 kV DC overhead line on operational sections; museum sections non-electrified

Connections

Jesenice: main line to Villach (Austria) and Ljubljana; Nova Gorica: line to Koper / Gorica (Italy)

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    2 hours

  • Distance

    89 km

  • Est. Price

    Affordable

Official Booking Provider