Selecting the route

In Austro-Hungarian economic circles, the first initiatives for the second Vienna–Trieste line appeared relatively soon after the construction of the Southern Railway. However, the final decision on construction was not reached until 6 June 1901 because various plans were under consideration from the start.

In addition to the Bohinj plan (the last to be proposed, in 1844), the Predel and Škofja Loka plans were also considered.

In the end, the Bohinj route was chosen, despite being the most demanding in terms of construction and geological features, and thus the least appropriate. The military cast the decisive vote, because it needed a safe railway connection for its own use sufficiently far away from the border.

Planned routes for the second railway connection between Vienna and Trieste.
Planned routes for the second railway connection between Vienna and Trieste.
The route selected for today's Bohinj Line.
The route selected for today's Bohinj Line.
An excerpt from the plan of the Bohinj Line.
An excerpt from the plan of the Bohinj Line.
Partial cross-section of the Bohinj Line.
Partial cross-section of the Bohinj Line.
Bovec before construction began, 1901.
Bovec before construction began, 1901.
The main square in Bovec, 1901.
The main square in Bovec, 1901.
A panorama of Kobarid, beginning of the 20th century .
A panorama of Kobarid, beginning of the 20th century .
The main sreet of Kobarid, circa 1900.
The main sreet of Kobarid, circa 1900.
Tolmin, the main administrative center of the Upper Soca Valley, 1901.
Tolmin, the main administrative center of the Upper Soca Valley, 1901.
Zalog, craftsmen's street in Tolmin.
Zalog, craftsmen's street in Tolmin.
Main square in Most na Soci during railway construction.
Main square in Most na Soci during railway construction.
A view of Most na Soci across the deep bed of the Idrijca River.
A view of Most na Soci across the deep bed of the Idrijca River.
Podbrdo during construction of the new railway.
Podbrdo during construction of the new railway.
Podbrdo before the First World War.
Podbrdo before the First World War.
Grahovo ob Baci, 1903.
Grahovo ob Baci, 1903.
Koritnica during the construction of the Bohinj Line.
Koritnica during the construction of the Bohinj Line.
Podmelec, the main settlement in the Lower Baca Gorge.
Podmelec, the main settlement in the Lower Baca Gorge.
Klavze during the construction of the Bohinj Line.
Klavze during the construction of the Bohinj Line.
Baca pri Modreju at the end of the 19th century.
Baca pri Modreju at the end of the 19th century.
The narrow bed of the Soca River at Podselo.
The narrow bed of the Soca River at Podselo.
Water, road, and railway connections through the Soca Valley at Podselo.
Water, road, and railway connections through the Soca Valley at Podselo.
Kanal with a picturesque bridge across the Soca River.
Kanal with a picturesque bridge across the Soca River.
The main route through Kanal.
The main route through Kanal.
The Soca Valley before Solkan.
The Soca Valley before Solkan.
The main square in Gorizia.
The main square in Gorizia.

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