​Between Brasov and Sighisoara, some of the most difficult railway works, carried out here in the last 30 years, begin. The drilling of railway tunnels between Apatsa and Katsa has begun, the longest of which will be 7 km. At the event, organized by the Actor company, a divine service was also held and magnificent words were heard. The contract was signed four years ago, and since then work has progressed slowly.

Between Brasov and Sighisoara, trains run at an average speed of 31 to 42 km/h, and high speeds will return on this section in a few years, after the completion of works on all sections.

The first “mole” (TBM) brought by Aktor is called Eleni. These machines have a total of 225 cutters, which will be replaced along the way after they wear out.

The first tunnel should be completed in October 2025, and the second should be ready soon after. Work on tunnels 3 and 4 (Homorod) should also start in the summer, said Ionuc Savoiu, State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport.

The Ormenysky Tunnel will consist of two single-track galleries, each approximately 6.8 km long.

The Gomorod tunnel will consist of two single-track galleries, each about 5 km long.

On Tuesday, March 5, the first TBM was launched and drilled for demonstration purposes at a construction site in Rakos-Ormenis district, Brasov county, in a ceremony attended by high-ranking central and local officials. The organizer of the event was the Aktor construction company.

Loud, lush words were said, which are not often heard at a construction site:

“The tunnel is an art. Art created by people with ideas, strong vision, boundless love for what they do, with passion. Passion is the word that inspires us,” said Sotyris Koropoulis, project manager of Apața – Cața lot 2.

This is an important moment when the drilling works begin, but it remains to be seen whether they will be completed in time, because work is already actively progressing on the construction sites between Brasov and Sighisoara.

The future Brasov-Sighisoara main railway begins to take shape with Aktor, a member of the Intrakat group, beginning the most difficult work on its route: the tunneling of the Apac-Kac section, which will be carried out with four TBM-uri (tunnel boring machines), Aktor says.

Between Brasov and Sighisoara, complex works are underway that will last for many years, the route will also be changed and long tunnels will be built. At 128 km, the slowest train travels in 4 hours and 12 minutes, that is, with an average speed of 31 km/h.

And non-stop trains run for more than three hours, i.e. at an average speed of 42 km/h. When the robots are ready, the average speed should also be 100 km/h. There are also delays because trains are waiting for each other at several stations along the way: Augustin, Racoș, Rupea, Cața, Vânători or Albești.

The route between Brasov and Sighisoara, which has not changed for 150 years, is winding and has many turns that reduce speed. In addition, due to the fact that investment funds have not been allocated during the last decade, the trains run more and more slowly. The reconstruction will shorten the route by 17 km, from 129 km to 112 km, and will also add the longest rail tunnels in the country.

The works are the most complex that have been carried out on the Romanian railway since the revolution. For example, two new tunnels with a length of 5 and 7 kilometers with double tunnels, three more tunnels with common tunnels, as well as a 1,700-meter viaduct are under construction.

The physical stage of rehabilitation works on the Brasov – Apaca and Kata – Sighisoara sections is 24.5%, and on the Apaca – Kata section – 20.3%.