Border Crossings: Bulgaria - Romania
Vidin BDŽ - Golenti CFR (- Craiova)
[E] CFR works to Vidin. Although the line is electrified as far east as Golenti, it appears that electric traction has never been used.
Two pairs of local services between Vidin and Craiova in Romania worked by diesel units commenced on 10 May 2014 but were replaced by just a pair of Sofia - Craiova - Vidin - Budapest long distance services from the December 2014 timetable change. This calls at Golenti to change engines with BDZ Diesel Haulage over the Bridge. The combined road/rail bridge between Calafat and Vidin, now named "New Europe Bridge", was ceremonially opened to traffic on 14 June 2013. The former train ferry across the Danube, whose terminal on the Bulgarian side was 3 km upstream of Vidin, was served by a now closed branch.
Ruse BDŽ - Giurgiu CFR
[D] This route, the combined road/rail Danube Bridge - over 2 km long, carries the main international services between Bucureşti and Bulgaria/Turkey. BDŽ and CFR each work this route alternately for a 7 year period. As at October 2011, CFR works to Ruse.
(Sindel -) Kardam BDŽ - Negru Vodă CFR (- Medgidia)
[D] Freight only. BDŽ and CFR each work this route alternately for a 7 year period. As at October 2011, CFR works to Kardam. Traffic consists of liquid petroleum gas tanks 3 times a week (MWFO).
A daily passenger train ran each way between Bucureşti and Varna during summer 2009, with a locomotive change at Kardam. Originally planned for the period 15 June 2009 - 6 September 2009, it operated only until 9 August 2009 owing to poor patronage. There has been no service since then and indeed the CFR service to Negru Vodă is under threat as at July 2013.
