On May 23, 1982, at 3:15 PM, a train consisting of six cars of the Bosna Express headed towards Belgrade on its first journey.
Press Release Regarding the Launch of the “Bosna Express” Train Set / Article, Zagreb, May 22, 1982.
At the initiative of the manager and experts of ŽTO Sarajevo and the RZ for organizing railway transportation (headed by Prof. Dr. Sadik Beširević), the realization of the Contract for the renovation, reconstruction, and major overhaul of 10 Y-type cars into a modern and luxurious set of the “Bosna Express” took place. Between the signing of the contract, i.e., February 14, 1982, and May 22, 1982, design, recording, and production of this modern set of 6 cars were carried out in the OOURs and RZ RO “Janko Gredelj.” Consequently, this set was put into service according to the new timetable starting on May 23, 1982.
All materials and spare parts installed in these beautiful carriages are the result of the work and cooperation between “Janko Gredelj” and the Yugoslav industry. Only two elements from imported equipment were used, valued at 1,000 DM for the entire set.
Therefore, the decision by the Sarajevo Transport Organization (ŽTO) should be acknowledged, as they considered this work justifiable during their preparations for the XIV Winter Olympic Games 1984 in Sarajevo. Specifically, for approximately 70 million dinars, the client received modern, renovated, and reconstructed high-class carriages from the old Y-type wagons.
BOSNA EXPRESS consists of 6 cars, one of which is a buffet-restaurant car. The cars have been refurbished and reconstructed to achieve a high level of comfort. The renovation of all cars was carried out in accordance with the scope of the VP as prescribed by JŽ Regulation 241.
Restoration, Reconstruction, Modernization
According to the minutes from May 22, 1982, signed on June 2, 1982, in Zagreb at the “Janko Gredelj” workshop by ŽTO Sarajevo (led by Prof. Dr. Sadik Beširević) and Ro Janko Gredelj (led by Dipl. Ing. Stevo Paunović), discussions concern work on 10 cars of the BOSNA EXPRESS train, which must be completed to include them in the operation of the BOSNA EXPRESS train. The work strictly pertains to technical improvements for comfort and modernization of the cars to meet the high standards of cars in the aforementioned train. By the end of 1982, another 7 wagons were sent from Eurofima credit funds to the Janko Gredelj company for modernization. This means a total of 17 wagons of type A, Y class, have been modernized into the All wagons series. The Goša company produced an additional 21 new wagons during 1983/84. Reconstruction was carried out on: Passenger cars – The compartments, corridor, and sanitary unit were reconstructed, with a new design introduced and comfort increased, – New type transition doors were installed according to UIC requirements, – All cars are soundproofed in accordance with international traffic standards, – The cars are electrically heated, – The external appearance of the cars was designed in a special style featuring the Olympic emblem and the signature “Bosna Expres.” Biffle/Restaurant cars – The biffle area was significantly enlarged and divided into two parts: a bar area and a restaurant area. A bar counter is located above which a lowered ceiling was installed, – The restaurant area has 29 seats, – A stewardess’s cabin with a public address system was built next to the restaurant area from which music and announcements are broadcast for the entire train, – The biffle cars have a kitchen for preparing and serving hot meals, cold cuts, lunch packages, and all types of drinks.
It is important to note that the renovation of the lower machine (the first and second tracks in April/May 1983) of the Sarajevo railway station was carried out for the purposes of dispatching the Bosna Express train to Belgrade.
Scheduled timetable
In the 1982/1983 schedule, the Bosna Express train to Belgrade operated with one pair of trainsets numbered:
152 – Sarajevo (departure at 15:15) – Belgrade (arrival at 21:15) 151 – Belgrade (departure at 7:10) – Sarajevo (arrival at 12:45)
Schedule for 1983/1984 included two pairs of trains to Belgrade and for 1984/1985 one pair to Zagreb under the numbers:
150 – Sarajevo (departure at 6:27) – Belgrade (arrival at 12:25) 151 – Belgrade (departure at 7:20) – Sarajevo (arrival at 13:06) 152 – Sarajevo (departure at 15:15) – Belgrade (arrival at 21:14) 153 – Belgrade (departure at 15:15) – Sarajevo (arrival at 20:55) 140 – Sarajevo (departure at 6:20) – Zagreb (arrival at 12:49) 141 – Zagreb (departure at 15:20) – Sarajevo (arrival at 21:40) Bosna Express trains regularly operated to Belgrade and Zagreb until April 1992, when their activity ceased due to the war conflicts across the former Yugoslavia.
Attached below, you can review the PDF documents by clicking on the link:
- Izjava za štampu povodom puštanja u saobraćaj garniture “Bosna Ekspresa”,
- Zapisnik i zvanična zabilješka…Dokumenti u naslovu “Zapisnik” i “Zvanične zabilješka” o suradnji ugovorenih strana,
- Modernizacija i karakteristike… Dokumenti studija izvodljivosti i planiranja sa karakteristikama uvođenja novog reda vožnje za olimpijske vozove i voz Bosna Ekspres”,
- Numeracija kola Bosna Ekspres…Dokumenti o nemeraciji kola vozova “Bosna Ekspres” i šta je sačuvano do danas.
