Mokra Gora – The Šargan Eight

The Šargan Eight is a heritage tourist railway in Mokra Gora, named after the figure-of-eight layout of its mountain route. The “Nostalgija” train travels between Mokra Gora and Šargan Vitasi through tunnels, cuttings and wooded scenery. A visit combines railway history with an introduction to the Mokra Gora area.

Why the track forms an eight

The engineers had to overcome an elevation difference of about 300 metres over a short horizontal distance. Instead of a direct climb, they extended the route with loops. The famous loop above Jatare is approximately 13.5 kilometres long, with around twenty tunnels and several bridges and viaducts. This figure describes the loop, not every section of the former railway network.

The track gauge is 760 mm. From parts of the route, tracks can be seen at different elevations. This reflects the way the climb is distributed rather than trains crossing on the same track.

History

The idea of building the railway dates to the First World War. During the Austro-Hungarian occupation of Serbia in 1916, work began to connect Vardište with Užice. Nine kilometres of track were laid as far as the foot of Šargan Mountain — the point still known locally as the Ninth Kilometre — before a catastrophic accident halted progress. During excavation of the tunnel beneath Budim Hill, a rockslide buried an entire work shift of Russian and Italian prisoners of war. The exact death toll remains unknown, but local witnesses put it at around 200 workers. A modest monument on Budim Hill marks the site today, inscribed only with the year 1916.

Work resumed on 1 March 1921, led by the Head Office in Sarajevo. One of the chief engineers was Hugo Keinzl, formerly Inspector of Bosnia-Herzegovina Railways. The line was completed in 1925, and the steam locomotive Ćira first ran the full route that year. Regular service continued until 28 February 1974, when the railway was closed.

Restoration and the tourist train

Intensive restoration for tourism began in 1999 and reconstruction was completed in 2003. Preserved station buildings and historic carriages form part of the museum complex. Mokra Gora and Jatare stations also acquired hospitality facilities.

The composition of “Nostalgija” varies: steam or diesel traction and different carriages are used according to operating arrangements. A steam locomotive is therefore not guaranteed on every departure. The former 600 mm forest railway is a separate part of the complex's history; its operation should not be confused with regular tourist services on the Šargan Eight.

Planning a visit

The usual return journey starts at Mokra Gora station, runs to Šargan Vitasi and returns to Mokra Gora. Visiting a station or watching trains does not amount to reserving a seat for the journey.

Advance booking is advisable during the tourist season. Check departures, fares, journey duration and scheduled stops with the operator before travelling. Groups, families with small children and visitors who need accessible boarding should ask about specific arrangements. Use designated track crossings and follow staff instructions.

The gallery shows the train and tracks in the complex, the Šargan Vitasi station building and railway structures. These views help illustrate how the track layout relates to the buildings and equipment used in earlier railway operations.

Seasonal information is provided in the updates below and on the Srbijavoz website.

Sources: Tourist Organisation of Užice, Cultural Centre of Novi Sad: railway history.