Ferrovia Trento-Malè
Encyclopedia
The Trento-Malè-Marilleva railway is a metre gauge
electric railway
originally connecting Trento
and Malè
in Trentino, northern Italy
. In 2002 it was extended to Marilleva ski resort in the Italian Alps: the line has now a total length of 66 kilometres (41 mi). FTM transports 2 million passengers per year along its 56 km line, including tourists.
was issued by Paolo Oss Mazzurana
, mayor of Trento. Construction began in 1907 and the railway was inaugurated in 1909 as a narrow gauge
tramway, electrified at 800 V DC (converted to 3,000 V DC in 1964).
After the end of World War I
, when Trentino was returned to Italy, the railway was acquired by the Ferrovie dello Stato
in 1936. The line was almost totally rebuilt, shortened by 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) but assuming the character of a true railway without road-embedded sections. In 1945 it passed under a new public company, Società Locale Trento Malè, who controlled it until 2002, when it became part of Trentino trasporti.
Metre gauge
Metre gauge refers to narrow gauge railways and tramways with a track gauge of . In some African, American and Asian countries it is the main gauge. In Europe it has been used for local railways in France, Germany, and Belgium, most of which were closed down in mid 20th century. Only in Switzerland...
electric railway
Railway electrification system
A railway electrification system supplies electrical energy to railway locomotives and multiple units as well as trams so that they can operate without having an on-board prime mover. There are several different electrification systems in use throughout the world...
originally connecting Trento
Trento
Trento is an Italian city located in the Adige River valley in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. It is the capital of Trentino...
and Malè
Malè
Malé is a comune in Trentino in the northern Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, located about 35 km northwest of the provincial capital Trento...
in Trentino, northern Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. In 2002 it was extended to Marilleva ski resort in the Italian Alps: the line has now a total length of 66 kilometres (41 mi). FTM transports 2 million passengers per year along its 56 km line, including tourists.
History
In 1891 a proposal for a new railway in Trentino (then part of the Austrian EmpireAustria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
was issued by Paolo Oss Mazzurana
Paolo Oss Mazzurana
Paolo Oss Mazzurana was an Italian statesman, and most importantly the most famous mayor of his native city, Trento. His tenure was characterized by progressive economic policies that impacted Trento's commercial sector and eventually led to its independence as a state.-History:Mazzurana is...
, mayor of Trento. Construction began in 1907 and the railway was inaugurated in 1909 as a narrow gauge
Narrow gauge
A narrow gauge railway is a railway that has a track gauge narrower than the of standard gauge railways. Most existing narrow gauge railways have gauges of between and .- Overview :...
tramway, electrified at 800 V DC (converted to 3,000 V DC in 1964).
After the end of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, when Trentino was returned to Italy, the railway was acquired by the Ferrovie dello Stato
Ferrovie dello Stato
Ferrovie dello Stato is a government-owned holding which manage infrastructure and service on the Italian rail network. The subsidiary Trenitalia is the main rail operator in Italy.-Organization:Ferrovie dello Stato subsidiaries are:...
in 1936. The line was almost totally rebuilt, shortened by 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) but assuming the character of a true railway without road-embedded sections. In 1945 it passed under a new public company, Società Locale Trento Malè, who controlled it until 2002, when it became part of Trentino trasporti.