Railways in
Kosovo
Train hauling nickel ore to the NewCo Ferronikeli processing plant in Gllogoc.
The locomotive is number 008, a 1750hp A1A-A1A diesel electric built by NOHAB for Norwegian State Railways as class Di3b.
The first railway in present day Kosovo was opened in 1874 from Mitrovica to Skopje (in present day North Macedonia), when both countries were part of the Ottoman Empire. It was constructed to standard (1435mm) gauge, as were most later railways in the country.
Subsequent expansion, mostly during the period when the region formed part of Yugoslavia, resulted in a network of some 334km. On the breakup of Yugoslavia, railways in Kosovo were operated by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), transferred to Kosovo Railways following the declaration of independence in 2008 and later renamed Trainkos.
International services with Serbia ceased following the declaration of independence. Serbian influence in the north of the country meant that no trains, passenger or freight, operated north of Obilić. In 2009, Serbian Railways initiated a service from the border as far as the city of Mitrovica, operated effectively as a domestic service of Serbia as the latter government does not recognise Kosovo’s independence. This was seen by Kosovo as provocative, and in 2017 was forced to close by military action.
Today, passenger and freight services operate from the capital, Prishtina, to Pejë and to Skopje in North Macedonia. Freight traffic operates on the northern line as far as Obilić; the section from Obilić to Mitrovica has been rehabilitated but not regularly used, while work is continuing between Mitrovica to Leshak.
In 2023, a feasibility study commenced for a new international link with Albania. The precise route remains to be identified but may include all or part the currently disused line between Klina and Prizren. The total length of line would be about 130km.
© 2006-2026 Glyn Williams
Photo image: David Gubler