| Monte Generoso Railway. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Train at the summit station | |||
| Overview | |||
| Status | Open | ||
| Owner | Migros supermarket chain | ||
| Locale | Ticino,Switzerland | ||
| History | |||
| Opened | June 5, 1890 | ||
| Technical | |||
| Line length | 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) | ||
| Rack system | Abt | ||
| Track gauge | 800 mm (2 ft 7+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Electrification | 850V,DC,overhead | ||
| Highest elevation | 1,605 m (5,266 ft) | ||
| Maximum incline | 22% | ||
| |||
TheMonte Generoso Railway orFerrovia Monte Generoso (MG) is amountain railway line in theItalian speakingcanton ofTicino, in south-eastSwitzerland. The line runs fromCapolago, onLake Lugano, to a terminus near the summit ofMonte Generoso. It is the highest railway in Ticino. The summit (1,701 m or 5,581 ft) offers extensive views over the Lombardy Plain, part of thePo Valley, and towards theAlps.[1][2][3]
Whilst the railway lies entirely within Switzerland, the summit station is only a few metres from the international border with theItalian region ofLombardy. The line is owned by theMigros group, better known for operatingsupermarkets throughout Switzerland.[2]
In 1867, Doctor Carlo Pasta built a hotel on Monte Generoso, near to the current location of theBellavista station on the Monte Generoso railway. In 1886, a concession was granted to theMonte Generoso SA for the construction of a narrow gauge and cog railway to the summit. The line opened on the June 5, 1890, and was originally operated withsteam locomotives. The following year, theTramway Bellavista was opened to link the railway to Doctor Pasta's hotel.[4][5]
However the owning company encountered financial difficulties at various times during the first half of the 20th century. In the 1939, the then owners approachedGottlieb Duttweiler, the founder of the Migros group, for assistance, and in 1941 the railway became part of that group.[4][5]
In 1954, two diesel locomotives (Hm 2/3 1 and 2) were built on the frames of older steam locomotives, followed, in 1957, by two four-axle diesel railcars (Bhm 2/4 3 and 4), which allowed a more economical operation. In 1968, two smaller two-axle railcars (Bhm 1/2 5 and 6) were introduced. In 1982 the line was electrified and four twin-unit railcars (Bhe 4/8 11 to 14) were supplied bySLM in 1981-2.[4][5][6]
At the end of the season in 2013, the line closed for the winter as normal. It was then announced that it would not reopen to passengers until 2015, in order to facilitate the rebuilding of the hotel and restaurant at the summit. The closure was extended twice, and eventually the new building, designed byMario Botta, opened on 8 April 2017. In the meantime, the railway was used for the transport of construction materials and workers.[7][8][9][10][11]
The line commences atCapolago Lago station, where trains connect with boat services of theSocietà Navigazione del Lago di Lugano on Lake Lugano. However most trains start 300 m (984 ft) up the line atCapolago-Riva San Vitale station, at an altitude of 274 m (899 ft), where they connect withSwiss Federal Railways trains on the line fromLugano toMilan viaChiasso. The line's car shed and workshop are both situated on the line between the two Capolago stops.[1]
At Capolago-Riva San Vitale station, the line serves a stop on the street in front of the station building, before climbing a ramp to cross a bridge over the throat of the mainline station. From here it climbs the flank of the mountain as far asSan Nicolao station, at an altitude of 707 m (2,320 ft).Bellavista station, at 1,222 m (4,009 ft), follows, and with its station buffet and access to various walks is a destination in its own right. Both San Nicolao and Bellavista stations have passing loops, but the latter is the normal passing place for ascending and descending trains.[1]
After leaving Bellavista, the line leaves the heavily forested lower slopes and runs through more open meadows before reaching theGeneroso Vetta terminus, at 1,592 m (5,223 ft). The station is located a short walk from the mountain summit, and has a buffet, restaurant and rooftop viewing gallery.[1][11]
The line is 9 km (5.6 mi) long and is of800 mm (2 ft 7+1⁄2 in) gauge. It is arack railway, with a maximum gradient of 22%, using theAbt design. The line is electrified using an 850VDCoverhead line, and is principally operated by the four two-car electric trains built in 1981-2.[1][12][13]
The line operates from mid-March to early November, with trains running hourly during daylight hours. If traffic requires it, the hourly departure may be operated as multiple trains running in convoy. A late evening train operates on Fridays and Saturdays only. Only one train a day runs through to Capolago Lago, in order to connect with a boat service from Lugano.[14]
One steam locomotive still exists, as does one of the original coaches, and two diesel locomotives. The remaining steam and diesel locomotives operate occasional services. One of the Bhm 1/2 diesel railcars is preserved in theMuseo Europeo dei Trasporti Ogliari inRanco on theItalian shore ofLake Maggiore.[15][16][17][18]
Media related toMonte Generoso Railway at Wikimedia Commons