Domodossola–Locarno railway

Domodossola — Locarno railway
Intragna railway station
Intragna railway station
Overview
Status Operational
Locale Centovalli
Termini Domodossola
Locarno
Stations 22
Operation
Opened 1923
Operator(s) FART & SSIF
Technical
Line length 52.1 kilometres (32.37 mi)
Number of tracks 1 main track with
dual track at certain stations.
Track gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge
Electrification 1350 V DC[1]
Centovalli
 Domodossola
 Masera
 Creggio
 Trontano
 Verigo
 Marone
 Coirno
 Druogno
 Santa Maria Maggiore
 Malesco
 Re
 Ribellasca - Italy
 Swiss-Italian Border
 Camedo - Switzerland
 Palagnedra
 Verdasio
 Corcapolo
 Intragna
 Cavigliano
 Verscio
 Tegna
 Ponte Brolla
 Locarno

The Domodossola–Locarno railway, also known as the Centovalli railway (Italian: Centovallina) is a metre-gauge railway negotiating the dramatic mountainous terrain between Domodossola, Italy, and Locarno, Switzerland. It passes through the villages of Intragna and Santa Maria Maggiore and carried over 1 million passengers in 2010. It is operated by the Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi (FART) in Switzerland and the Società Subalpina di Imprese Ferroviarie S.p.A. (SSIF) in Italy.[2][3]

Opened on 25 November 1923, the 52-kilometre (32 mi) long railway has 22 stations and takes approximately 2 hours to traverse the whole length. The Italian-Swiss border is crossed between the towns of Ribellasca and Camedo.

History

Electric train ABe 4/6 of the SSIF in Intragna station

Following a convention signed in Rome on 12 November 1918 between the plenipotentiaries Sidney Sonnino and De Segesser, respectively, of the King of Italy and the Federal Council of the Swiss Confederation Switzerland, the construction of the railway began. The railway started with an initiative mainly due to the then Mayor of Locarno Francis Dance. The builders used part of the existing meter gauge Locarno-Bignasco railway at the start of the eastern end of the new line. This set the meter gauge of the whole line.

Since then the railway has regularly performed its task of connecting the communities between Locarno and Domodossola. The line continued after the period of mass motorization, when some considered the train to be obsolete.

The railway currently plays an important economic and tourist function in the area. It is the shortest and most scenic link between the major trans-Alpine railways that pass through the Simplon and Gotthard tunnels. Combined with the Simplon railway, it provides a fast connection between the Swiss Cantons of Valais and Ticino.

1978 flood

On 7 August 1978, a flood struck the railway causing damage affecting almost 700 meters of track, mainly on the Italian side. Thankfully there were no injuries but reconstruction of the line lasted until the end of the year.[4]

Specifications

Engine Tm 2/2 9 of the maintenance team in Intragna station
The railway bridge below Intragna
  • Gauge: 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge
  • Length: about 52.2 km (of which 32.300 is in Italian territory, 19.833 in Switzerland)
  • Voltage: 1,350 V DC[1]
  • Electrical substations: 5 (including 3 in Switzerland)
  • Stations and stops with passing loops: 21 (13 in Italian territory, 8 in Switzerland)
  • Passengers transported annually between 1982 and 1985:
    • 1982 - 896,411
    • 1983 - 917,737
    • 1984 - 852,381
    • 1985 - 869,215

Route

The route, like other mountain railways, has some dramatic inclines between the Masera and Santa Maria Maggiore (Italy), and between Verdasio and Intragna (Switzerland); in some places the gradient is 60 per thousand.

A trip between Domodossola and Locarno, takes slightly less than 2 hours. The railroad connects with the Swiss national railway terminals at both ends. At Locarno, trains run frequently to scenic Lugano.

The name "Centovalli" (100 valleys) derives from the existence of the many valleys along the line upon which are perched small towns. The mountaious geography means that there are many bridges and viaducts to admire on a journey. The trip is exceptionally scenic and negotiates many gorges.

Fares & Equipment

Since at least October 2012,[5] there is new rolling stock called the "panoramic train". When taking this train, regardless of the type of ticket held, a supplement of €1,50 or CHF2,00 per passenger is collected, in cash, on board by the conductor. The departure board mentions "supplemento" for runs on the panoramic train. The supplement is not collected on other trains on the route.

Although it is an Italian train, the Centovalli fare (but not the supplement) is included in the scope of the various Swiss Rail flat rate and discount passes, as are journeys from Domodossola. The Swiss portion of the line is managed by Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi. On the Swiss side, directional signs and employees prominently display the company's acronym, FART.

References

  1. 1 2 Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz. Verlag Schweers + Wall GmbH. 2012. p. 58. ISBN 978-3-89494-130-7.
  2. ↑ "Centivalli Railway". Swiss Travel System. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Rotabile". Society for the Ticino Regional Railways Bus (FART) Ltd. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Storia". Society for the Ticino Regional Railways Bus (FART) Ltd. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Domodossola - Locarno". Youtube. Retrieved 13 October 2015.

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