We are publishing a rare collection of photographs taken during the construction of the standard gauge railway, specifically during the abolition of the narrow-gauge railway on the Doboj – Tuzla route. The work on building the railway and the simultaneous partial dismantling of the narrow-gauge track began in late 1947 and was completed with the line opening to public traffic on March 28, 1951.
As a reminder, we note that with the first implementation of the five-year plan (1947–1951) for the reconstruction and development of the FNRJ, the People’s Front of workers, farmers, and students—shoulder to shoulder—constructed the Brčko – Banovići railway (May 1 – November 7, 1946), the Šamac – Sarajevo railway (April 1 – November 15, 1947), and the Banja Luka – Doboj railway (March – December 1951). It is worth mentioning the engineers and workers involved in the reconstruction of bridges and tunnels from Sarajevo – Konjic – Mostar – Gabela – Huma to Bileća, the Lašva – Travnik – Jajce railway, Podlugovi – Vareš, Bihać – Knin, in the reconstruction and laying of standard gauge tracks, among others.
In the first year of the five-year plan, the People’s Front of Youth of Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with the regional front zones, voluntarily worked from May to November 1947 to refurbish and build narrow and broad gauge industrial railways, including: Bugojno – Gornji Vakuf, 18 km; Usora – Teslić; Teslić – Pribinići, 15 km; Modran – Mezgraja, 11 km; Soćkovac – State brick factory, 1.5 km; Brezićani – Ljubija, 10 km; Podromanija – Rajkovići, 10.5 km; Vareš – Sokolac (Podromanija); Bila – “Vrbica” mine, 6 km; Bila – Trenica, 7.7 km; Bebroštica – Srebrenica (Kladanj and Vlasenica district), 7.5 km; the narrow gauge track Stupari – Kladanj; Solana Kreka – Kreka, 1 km; and many others.
With this exhibition, we highlight to you as observers the greatness and strength of the efforts of the united peoples at that time, dedicated selflessly to building a better life and prosperity for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Srećko Ignjatović
