We are publishing the technical booklet for the standard gauge track (longitudinal profile) Modriča – Gradačac, currently under implementation by ŽTP Sarajevo, as of November 28, 1962.
Here you can view the administrative maintenance division (ZOP Section), supervision (by Districts), and safeguarding (of buildings and bridges). There is also a station diagram for Gradačac, track types, switch types, bridge sketches, and data on gradients, inclines, and curves of the railway.
Stations on the narrow gauge line Modriča – Gradačac are: Modriča and Gradačac. Stops at Mišići and Ledenica are not listed in the technical handbook.
History: The route of the standard gauge railway line Modriča – Gradačac is 14 km + 495 meters long and was put into operation on April 27, 1951. The railway was built through a labor action modeled after the construction of the Brčko-Banovići line. Construction began on May 3, 1950, and took about a year to complete so that the first train from the direction of Modriča could reach the newly built railway station on April 27, 1951. According to traffic instructions, the line was designed for a maximum axle load of up to 12 tons, a maximum of 75 axles, and a maximum train speed (for freight, passenger, and mixed trains) for steam, diesel, and shunting locomotives was up to 25 km/h.
The towns of Prugom Gradacac and Modrica were connected to larger centers (towards Samac – 24 km and Doboj – 33 km, and further towards Banja Luka, Sarajevo, and Ploce). This project created a significant industrial zone near the railway station for many factories, agricultural enterprises, and construction companies.
At the end of the 80s, passenger train services gradually lost their importance, which we can conclude from the schedule (Timetable 1986/87.) wasn’t planned for regular passenger traffic, but on an “as-needed” basis, such as on market days or celebrations (festivals) in Gradačac. From a conversation with a friend who is a railway worker (conductor), I remember his confession: “Oh, those were times. God, a full train of women from Vrpolje and Šamac, all blushes and rosy cheeks, eyeing me to charge extra baggage fees. Oh, there were also folk with good rakija and snacks, and when we drank enough, Dervent songs burst out. Truly, it was wonderful — even now, after returning from those women who didn’t sell everything, I hear them chirping at me to ‘buy a bow.’ And I, following the train schedule to Modriča, on my way home with pride.”
Since 1993 up to today (2015), trains have not operated on this railway. We present the following quoted text to indicate that the fate of this railway has been sealed: “The Spatial Plan of the Municipality of Gradačac 2008 – 2028,” in the section titled “Railway Traffic”: The peripheral part of the Municipality of Gradačac runs along the Tuzla – Brčko railway line, which has little significance for the development of the Municipality. Any potential revitalization of the former Gradačac – Modriča railway is questionable from an economic standpoint. There are no indications of a general interest at the national level to restore this railway line, nor the previously planned continuation of the Gradačac – Brčko route. The plan proposes using the Gradačac – Modriča railway corridor for the construction of a very important major road connecting Gradačac, and even the Canton, to the Vc corridor. This would affirm the geopolitical importance of the municipality of Gradačac as a key development factor. It must be emphasized that the basic development concept of railway traffic in the Fundamental Spatial Plan of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina does not include the possibility of revitalizing the Gradačac – Modriča railway line.
Photos taken from the portal http://www.okc-gradacac.com blog Mirze Avdičević.
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