Železnici na Republika Severna Makedonija

Železnici na Republika Severna Makedonija, commonly abbreviated ŽRSM, was the public railway enterprise responsible for the railway system of North Macedonia. Its responsibilities covered the operation of passenger and freight services as well as the management and maintenance of the country's railway infrastructure. In 2007, the enterprise was reorganized into two specialized companies: ŽRSM Transport, responsible for train operations, and ŽRSM Infrastruktura, responsible for railway infrastructure. The original enterprise is therefore best understood as the historic umbrella railway organization rather than as the continuing name of a single integrated railway operator. The railway system associated with ŽRSM uses standard gauge track and forms an important north-south transport corridor across North Macedonia. The principal route runs between Tabanovci on the Serbian border and Gevgelija on the Greek border, passing through Kumanovo, Skopje, Veles and other major settlements. The system is connected with Serbia, Greece and Kosovo, while proposed and partially developed projects have sought to improve links toward Bulgaria and Albania. North Macedonia is a member of the International Union of Railways, whose country code for the national railway system is 65. The network described in reference material comprises approximately 925 kilometres of railway lines, including about 315 kilometres electrified with 25 kV, 50 Hz alternating current. Domestic routes historically connected Skopje with destinations including Tetovo, Gostivar, Kičevo, Volkovo, Kumanovo, Veles, Gevgelija, Prilep and Bitola, as well as towns in the eastern part of the country. International and regional services used the north-south Corridor X route toward Niš and Thessaloniki and provided connections with Serbian, Greek and Kosovo railway systems. Freight traffic has also been an important part of the railway business, particularly because the network links inland North Macedonia with regional borders and the port of Thessaloniki. Passenger services have faced longstanding practical constraints. Contemporary reporting has characterized domestic trains as relatively slow and has noted maintenance problems affecting rolling stock and stations, although low fares have supported continued use and some services have experienced heavy demand. The system's strategic importance has nevertheless remained high because rail provides an alternative to road transport and supports regional trade. A notable modernization step came with a 2014 contract for six new passenger train sets manufactured by China's CRRC at its Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Works. The first set arrived in August 2015. Each three-car train was designed for approximately 200 passengers and intended for routes from Skopje to destinations including Bitola, Gevgelija, Kičevo, Kumanovo and Veles. The procurement was described as the first purchase of new passenger trains by North Macedonia since independence and as the first entry of a Chinese electric or diesel multiple-unit manufacturer into the European market. Later infrastructure planning focused on European transport corridors. Work associated with Corridor VIII has targeted the eastern route toward Bulgaria, including sections between Kumanovo, Beljakovce and Kriva Palanka, while a western extension toward the Albanian border and Durrës has also been proposed. Corridor X planning has included rehabilitation of sections near Bitola, Kumanovo, Dračevo and Veles, alongside longer-term ambitions to improve the Skopje-Niš connection for faster trains. The opening of the Museum of Macedonian Railways in Skopje in April 2023, marking 150 years since the arrival of the first train in the territory of present-day North Macedonia, reflects the historical significance of the railway institution and its predecessor systems.

Railway development in the territory of present-day North Macedonia began under Ottoman rule. The first standard-gauge railway line in the area was the Skopje-Thessaloniki route, completed in 1873. This line established the territory's basic north-south orientation and connected the interior with the Aegean port of Thessaloniki. Subsequent railway development created links toward the Serbian border in the north and additional domestic destinations, eventually making Skopje the principal railway hub. The modern national railway organization known as Železnici na Republika Severna Makedonija inherited responsibility for railway operations and infrastructure in the independent Republic of Macedonia, later renamed North Macedonia. Its headquarters were located in Skopje. The capital's original railway station was partly destroyed in the 1963 earthquake and was later used as the Museum of the City of Skopje; the current main station forms the upper level of the integrated Transportation Center Skopje. ŽRSM operated a standard-gauge network of approximately 925 kilometres, of which about 315 kilometres were electrified using the 25 kV, 50 Hz AC system. The principal electrified route extends from Tabanovci at the Serbian border through Kumanovo, Skopje and Veles to Gevgelija at the Greek border. Other routes extended west toward Tetovo, Gostivar and Kičevo, northwest toward Volkovo, east toward Sveti Nikole, Štip and Kočani, and southwest toward Prilep and Bitola. The network supported both passenger and freight trains. A significant institutional change occurred in 2007, when the integrated enterprise was divided into ŽRSM Transport and ŽRSM Infrastruktura. The first company assumed responsibility for operating passenger and freight trains, while the second became responsible for railway lines and related infrastructure. This separation reflected a broader model of distinguishing train operators from infrastructure managers and marked the end of ŽRSM as a single integrated railway company. ŽRSM's regional role was shaped by Corridor X, the north-south route connecting Serbia with Greece and the port of Thessaloniki. Passenger and freight connections linked North Macedonia with Serbian Railways and Greek railway services, while international links also connected Skopje with Kosovo. In 2010, the Macedonian railway system joined Cargo 10, a regional freight initiative involving several railways in southeastern Europe. The railway system has also experienced service and investment challenges. Reports have described domestic passenger trains as slow and have noted poor maintenance of rolling stock and stations. Nevertheless, low-cost rail travel has remained important and trains have sometimes been heavily used. Modernization efforts included a 2014 contract for six new CRRC passenger train sets. The first arrived in August 2015, and the three-car units were designed to carry approximately 200 passengers each. The procurement was notable both because it represented the first acquisition of new passenger trains by North Macedonia since independence and because it marked a Chinese multiple-unit manufacturer's first entry into the European market. Infrastructure planning later concentrated on Corridor VIII and further rehabilitation of Corridor X. Corridor VIII projects have aimed to build or modernize the eastern connection through Beljakovce and Kriva Palanka toward Bulgaria and the Black Sea. A western link from Kičevo toward Albania and Durrës has also been proposed. Corridor X proposals have included reconstruction of railway sections between Bitola and Kremenica, Kumanovo and Deljadrovci, and Dračevo and Veles, as well as longer-term improvements to the Skopje-Niš route. In January 2024, a tender was reported for a 23.4-kilometre section involving numerous tunnels and bridges on the eastern route. The railway's heritage was publicly commemorated in April 2023, when the Museum of Macedonian Railways opened in Skopje to mark 150 years since the first train reached the territory of present-day North Macedonia. The historic ŽRSM organization should therefore be distinguished from the post-2007 operating and infrastructure companies that carry forward separate parts of its former role.

• 2024

  Tender for eastern railway construction

  [1]Železnici na Republika Severna Makedonijaen.wikipedia.org

  A tender was offered for a 23.4-kilometre section involving 22 tunnels and 52 bridges on the route toward Bulgaria.

• 2023

  Museum of Macedonian Railways opens

  [1]Železnici na Republika Severna Makedonijaen.wikipedia.org

  A railway museum opened in Skopje during commemorations of the 150th anniversary of the first train's arrival in the country.

• 2022

  Corridor VIII construction contract

  [1]Železnici na Republika Severna Makedonijaen.wikipedia.org

  A contract was signed for modernization and construction work on the Kumanovo-Beljakovce and Beljakovce-Kriva Palanka railway sections.

• 2015

  First CRRC train set delivered

  [2]Skopje-Thessaloniki railway completeden.wikipedia.org

  The first of the newly ordered CRRC train sets arrived in August for use on domestic routes.

• 2014

  Contract for new passenger trains

  [2]Skopje-Thessaloniki railway completeden.wikipedia.org

  A contract was signed with China's CRRC for six new passenger train sets.

• 2010

  Participation in Cargo 10

  [2]Skopje-Thessaloniki railway completeden.wikipedia.org

  Macedonian Railways joined Cargo 10, a regional freight cooperation initiative involving railways in southeastern Europe.

• 2007

  Organizational separation

  [2]Skopje-Thessaloniki railway completeden.wikipedia.org

  ŽRSM was divided into ŽRSM Transport and ŽRSM Infrastruktura, separating rail operations from infrastructure management.

• 1873

  Skopje-Thessaloniki railway completed

  [2]Skopje-Thessaloniki railway completeden.wikipedia.org

  The first standard-gauge railway line in the territory of present-day North Macedonia connected Skopje with Thessaloniki during Ottoman rule.

A national public railway institution supporting domestic mobility, international rail connections and freight transit through North Macedonia.

• Passenger transportation

  Domestic passenger rail services

  ŽRSM's passenger network centered on Skopje and served destinations across North Macedonia, including Kumanovo, Veles, Gevgelija, Bitola, Prilep, Kičevo, Gostivar, Tetovo, Štip and Kočani. Services used diesel and electric locomotives or multiple-unit train sets, depending on route and infrastructure.

• Passenger transportation

  International passenger rail services

  The railway system provided regional connections toward Serbia, Greece and Kosovo. The most important international axis followed Corridor X between the Serbian and Greek borders, linking North Macedonian cities with the wider Balkan railway network and the port of Thessaloniki.

• Freight transportation

  Rail freight services

  Freight operations used North Macedonia's strategic position between Serbia and Greece. The north-south route enabled cargo movement through Corridor X, while participation in Cargo 10 supported regional cooperation among southeastern European railway systems.

• Rail infrastructure

  Railway infrastructure management

  Before the 2007 separation, ŽRSM combined train operations with responsibility for maintaining approximately 925 kilometres of standard-gauge railway lines. Around 315 kilometres of the network were electrified using the 25 kV, 50 Hz AC system.

• Rolling stock · 2015

  CRRC passenger train sets

  Six three-car passenger train sets were ordered from CRRC in 2014, with the first delivered in August 2015. Each unit was designed to carry approximately 200 passengers and was intended for routes linking Skopje with several major domestic destinations.

• 2022

  Advance Corridor VIII railway developmentStrategy

  Background

  North Macedonia's railway planners sought stronger east-west connectivity with Bulgaria and, in the longer term, Albania and the Adriatic Sea.

  Action taken

  A contract was signed for modernization and construction work on the Kumanovo-Beljakovce and Beljakovce-Kriva Palanka sections.

  Aftermath

  The project remained part of a broader plan to connect North Macedonia more effectively with Bulgaria and the Black Sea, with further construction and tendering reported afterward.

  Source

• 2014

  Purchase new CRRC passenger train setsProduct launch

  Background

  North Macedonia sought to renew passenger rolling stock after independence, against a background of aging trains and maintenance concerns.

  Action taken

  A contract was signed for six new three-car passenger train sets manufactured by CRRC at Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Works.

  Aftermath

  The first train set arrived in August 2015 and was planned for domestic routes from Skopje to destinations including Bitola, Gevgelija, Kičevo, Kumanovo and Veles.

  Source

• 2007

  Separate railway operations from infrastructureStrategy

  Background

  The formerly integrated public railway enterprise combined train operations, freight and passenger services, and infrastructure responsibilities.

  Action taken

  The organization was divided into ŽRSM Transport, focused on operating trains, and ŽRSM Infrastruktura, focused on managing and maintaining railway infrastructure.

  Aftermath

  ŽRSM ceased to function as a single integrated railway enterprise, while its former activities continued through two specialized successor companies.

  Source

1. 1Železnici na Republika Severna Makedonijaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Skopje-Thessaloniki railway completeden.wikipedia.org