Jon Worth
  • About
  • Contact
  • Analysis
  • Quick takes
  • Guides
  • Newsletter
Sign in Subscribe
Bullshit Meter

Sofia-Thessaloniki trains to return

  • Jon Worth

Jon Worth

02 Feb 2026 • 1 min read
Share
OSE diesel locomotive in Thessaloniki
Jon Worth's Rail Story Bullshit Meter Sofia - Thessaloniki train to restart "next year" (so 2027) 220 025 Bullshit Complete B ilshit Meter Not Bullshit VERDICT Good idea, don't believe it It is operationally possible, but the question is really if anyone wants to try. The route is slow, electrified only Bulgarian side, and Greek side requires a reverse at Strymonas. Maybe 1x a day, from December 2027? Verdict date: 02.02.2026

So Sofia-Thessaloniki #CrossBorderRail is meant to re-open "next year"

It's operationally possible (it used to run), but given how slow it is, and the mess of Greek railways and the poor financial state of Bulgarian ones I don't believe it yet

News: https://www.railtech.be/nl/spoorbouw/2026/02/02/spoorverbinding-sofia-thessaloniki-keert-volgend-jaar-terug-na-decennialange-onderbreking/

A rant about the Urda rail disaster
Paid-members only

A rant about the Urda rail disaster

In the Newsletter this week Analysis: A rant about the Urda rail disaster Good week: Siemens wins the contract for 30(+10) high speed trains for Spain Also a good week: Renfe starts to clear up its train categories Bad week: GoVolta catches fire Elsewhere this week: First #CrossBorderRail explainer
30 Oct 2026 7 min read
Analysing railways with a Brexit diagram in my head

Analysing railways with a Brexit diagram in my head

Why do I think Heuro Train's plans to run Amsterdam - Paris in 2030 are bullshit? Because I can see no way to think they can get any trains to run by then. An important building block for a route from today to running in 2030 is missing. Why
24 Oct 2026 2 min read
Timetable Change 2027 Part 1: lines (re-)opening
Paid-members only

Timetable Change 2027 Part 1: lines (re-)opening

In the Newsletter this week Elsewhere this week: HS1 stations, and Praha - München Analysis: Timetable Change 2027 Part 1: lines (re-)opening Bullshit Meter: Heuro to run Paris - Amsterdam trains in 2030 Good week: Other European railways step up to help Ukraine (a bit) Good week, perhaps: Rīga Airport Line
23 Oct 2026 10 min read
Jon Worth © 2026
  • Email sign up
  • Calendar
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Notice (Impressum)
  • Migration to Ghost, and Creative Commons
Powered by Ghost