The first railway line built in Bulgaria started from Ruse on the Danube connecting it to the city with Varna on the Black Sea. In 1886, when trains started running along this line, a railway maintenance factory was built in Ruse, quickly growing into a major enterprise of considerable significance for the country, and employing thousands. There was practically no family in Ruse that was not connected with the train factory in some way.

After years of negligence, it is now putting together a team to manufacture and repair the rolling stock in a renovated industrial park. 

“After decades of ruination, the 50 buildings on site are in critical condition, along with 10 kilometres of dilapidated railway track, all of this covering an area of almost 18 hectares,” says Plamen Shopov, owner of the new company Locomotive and Train Carriage Works 1866. Work on its rebuilding started at the end of 2020, and is now quite advanced. 

The warehouse where locomotives will be tested and will undergo repairs is equipped with all the necessary equipment and tools and is ready to open this month. The industrial railway lines have been restored, they are now serviceable and are taking in the first train carriages due for repairs. To begin with, the enterprise will be staffed by 30, with another 150 being appointed after the train carriage warehouse opens, but to begin production, around 500 workers will be needed.

Compiled by Yoan Kolev

Translated from the Bulgarian and posted by Milena Daynova

Photos: Facebook / Express Service - Bulgarian Locomotives