Last update for this page: 02 July 2006.
National railway system: Hekurudha Shqipėtare (HSH)
Language: Albanian
Currency: Lek
UIC code: 41
Timetable: A timetable is not published by HSH. Train times are posted at stations, and timetable changes advertised in newspapers. Timetable changes can occur at short notice, and not on dates observed by other European railways. Thomas Cook's European Timetable shows the complete train service but with many intermediate stations omitted, though care should be taken as some trains have been re-timed.
Gauge: Standard
Electrification: None
Rule of the road: There are no double track lines, except in the immediate vicinity of principal stations, and the track used depends on operating convenience.
Other railways: None
Tourist lines: None
Metro: None
Trams: None
Trolleybuses: None
Recent and future changes:
The branch to Rreshen closed to passenger traffic in November 1996 and the track has been used to repair damage to the Shkodėr line.
The line between Fier and Ballsh closed to passenger traffic in 2001 but remains open for freight.
Special notes: By comparison with other European systems, HSH is a very primitive railway, partly due to damage arising from civil disturbances in 1990-92 and 1997.
There are no international passenger trains to Albania, the one railway into Montenegro being used only for freight traffic. Principal routes to Western Europe are by air, or ferry from Brindisi (Italy).
Tickets are not sold in advance, and are valid only on the first train following issue.
There is no railrover ticket covering Albania, but fares are extremely cheap.
Further information about Albanian Railways can be found at www.angelfire.com/ak/hekurudha/index.html
Maps: There is no official HSH railway map. Quail Map Co publishes the "Albanian Railway Map", which includes closed lines and gives historical information and the "Albanian Railway Guide", which includes track diagrams, motive power details and other information. General maps can be misleading, because they may be based on deliberately inaccurate information provided by the former communist government.
Last complete update 28 January 1998; subsequent amenments: AL99/1 updated 21 July 1998 and 12 February 1999; AL99/1 renumbered to AL01/1 and AL01/2 added (11 February 2001); general update, and separated from Obscure Services (18 February 2001). General update (22 May 2004); "Recent and future changes" updated (5 July 2005 and 2 July 2006).
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