Railway line Subotica - Horgoš - state border - Röszke - Szeged represents one of two international railway connections between the northern part of Serbia and southeast Hungary. Until a few years ago, this line was a non-electrified railway line with almost no traffic. Due to the overhaul and construction of a new line between Belgrade, Subotica and Budapest, line to Szeged serves as the only and main alternative route for freight train traffic. It underwent significant changes compared to the earlier period, it is electrified and completely reconstructed.

Between Horgoš and Röszke, the track crosses the state border between Serbia and Hungary, that is the external border of the European Union, where a large number of migrants appeared. Hungary built barbed wire fence along the entire border line. An interesting feature is the metal gate above the track, which opens for the passing of trains. Joint border control by the Hungarian and Serbian border police and customs are performed at the Hungarian border station Röszke. The Serbian border station is Horgoš, but it is passed normally.

As it connects two large and significant urban areas, it was also used for passenger rail traffic. Passenger train traction is performed by ŽS series 711 diesel engine units. This recording was made from one of those trains (train 7304 Subotica - Szeged and train 7307 Szeged - Subotica). These trains have stops at all the way stations and stops:
Subotica (main cargo and passenger border station in the north of Serbia, for the Kelebija and Horgoš border crossings),
Subotica Javna Skladišta (small cargo centers on the periphery of Subotica),
Palić (small tourist place next to Palić lakes),
Hajdukovo,
Bački Vinogradi (village and a special nature reserve in the vicinity, „Selevenjske pustare”),
Horgoš (Serbian border railway station and separation of the former railway line to Kanjiža),
Röszke (Hungarian border railway station),
Szentmihálytelek (train stop in the suburb of Szeged),
Szeged rendező pályaudvar (cargo and small shunting station in Szeged),
Szeged (the last station on the line from Kecskemét and Budapest).

For easier viewing, the video is divided into several parts:
0:00:00 to 0:15:50 Train depot Subotica and ride to station tracks
0:15:50 to 0:53:05 Subotica - the border line,
0:53:05 to 1:17:00 The border line - Szeged,
1:17:00 to 1:22:40 Szeged short city tour and rail traffic,
1:22:40 to 1:43:30 Szeged - the border line,
1:43:30 to 2:24:05 The border line - Subotica

On the way to Szeged, the recording was done under the afternoon sun and beautiful clouds in the sky. During the break until the return train, video shows a brief overview of the city of Szeged and several of its beautiful parts. It also shows a bit of train traffic activity at the station platforms before the train 7307 departs. The return journey started at sunset. While waiting for the border procedures in Röszke, it gradually got dark. The continuation of cab ride to Subotica was at dusk, under the evening blue colored sky.

Slow order speed of 10 km/h is in force throughout the territory of the entire railway station in Subotica. This is due to the completion of tracks overhaul and testing of signal devices and rail switches along the tracks. All important information as the maximum permitted speed, current location and events along the track are shown in the lower left corner of the video.


Date of recording:
September 2024.