Trainhopping across Montenegro

Here it is, my trainhopping journey across Montenegro.

This trip was pretty spontaneous. I suddenly got some free time and I decided not to waste it, so I messaged Shiey if he was down to surf across Montenegro. Of course, he said yes. I had the route planned out for two years now, it’s one of the easiest routes in Europe, theoretically. One line, one type of transport, and endless nature. So I packed my bags and got a cheap flight to Montenegro, where I met up with Shiey. 

Upon arrival in the yard, everything looked really good, three connections filled with Bauxite ore, a very calm place, and good weather. But when I checked the papers on the wagons, I began to doubt whether it was the ideal situation. Those wagons stood there for 3 full days already, so that meant that they were low priority. And it could be possible that those wagons stood there for another week. So I ditched my backpack, changed my clothes to a tourist outfit, grabbed my camera, and went up to the workers to simply ask: “When are those freight trains leaving? I’m a trainspotter and would like to photograph them.” To my surprise, they were really helpful and thanks to Google Translate they told me the exact time: “Tomorrow at 9 in the morning.”

The next day, there were no trains, so I went up to them and asked again. They said the same thing. “Tomorrow at 9 in the morning.” The funny part is, they weren’t lying the day before. The cargo company ‘Montecargo’, is such a small company with just a few locomotives, that it’s not abnormal to have a couple of days of delay. It surprised me how chill they were, they didn’t care that I was walking on tracks, or around the wagons. When I was searching for the workers I just walked inside their office, and when someone saw me inside he was just like: “Oh hey”. The next day when the train finally was ready for departure, a worker even saw us getting in between wagons, but he didn’t shout or even peeked inside the wagon, he just didn’t care. That plus the beautiful scenery made this one of my favorite trainhopping journeys. I felt relaxed while waiting and while riding.

I hope you will enjoy the video as much as I enjoyed the journey. Thanks for your support!