The first Montenegrin railway, the Bar – Virpazar line, started operating on November 2, 1908. That event was mentioned in all European newspaper at the time. Prince Nikola stated on this occasion: “It is my joy and all of Montenegro.” The railway was 43 km long and was built by the company Antivari from Bar, according to the contract signed in 1906 with the government of Montenegro. The project of the railway was made by the Italian engineer Roberto Paganini.
Despite the steep gradient, the railway was not using rack technology, due to the innovative route design by Italian engineers. The operating speeds on the line were 18 km/h for passenger transport, and 12 km/h for freight movement. There were 9 stations along the entire line, with 5 supply towers. The stations were | connected with the General Administration in Bar by a telegraph network. Today, this day is celebrated as the Day of the railwaymen in Montenegro.
