Mendrisio electric tramway

Mendrisio electric tramway

The former depot of the Mendrisio electric tramway in Capolago, showing retained metre gauge track, and with buses of the Autolinea Mendrisiense SA.
Overview
Status Closed and removed
Locale Canton of Ticino, Switzerland
Termini Chiasso
Riva San Vitale
Stations 49
Services 1
Operation
Opened 1910
Closed 1950
Technical
Line length 11.9 kilometres (7.4 mi)
Track gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in)
Minimum radius 25 metres (82 ft)
Electrification 800 V DC, overhead
Maximum incline 7.5%
Route map

The Mendrisio electric tramway (Italian: Tram Elettrici Mendrisiensi, TEM) was a metre gauge electric tramway in the Swiss canton of Ticino. It linked the town of Chiasso with Riva San Vitale, via Balerna, Mendrisio and Capolago. It was operated by the Società Tram Elettrici Mendrisiensi SA.[1][2][3]

The line's southern terminus in Chiasso was adjacent to the border crossing with Italy, and in Capolago it shared the same street outside Capolago-Riva San Vitale railway station with the Monte Generoso railway. The track ran enrirely within the street, and was electrified at 800 V DC. It had a length of 11.9 kilometres (7.4 mi), with 49 stops, a maximum gradient of 7.5% and a minimum radius of 25 metres (82 ft).[1][2]

The Società Tram Elettrici Mendrisiensi SA was incorporated in 1907, and construction started the following year, with the tramway opening in 1910. The line closed throughout in 1950, having closed between Riva San Vitale and Mendrisio in 1948. In 1953, the company changed its name to the Autolinea Mendrisiense SA, and now operates Mendrisio's local bus service, including services covering much of the former route of the tramway.[2][3]

Very little remains of the tramway, although the line's main depot in Mendrisio was used by Autolinea Mendrisiense until 2010, and a smaller depot in Capolago is still used by them as a bus garage. After closure, several of the line's cars were sold to the Lugano–Cadro–Dino railway, and one of these (Ce 2/2 3) has since been restored and is now on display at the Hotel Coronado in Mendrisio.[2][3][4]

References

  1. 1 2 Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz. Verlag Schweers+Wall GmbH. 2012. p. 60. ISBN 978-3-89494-130-7.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Tramvie Madrisiensi". www.eingestellte-bahnen.ch (in German). Retrieved 2012-09-20.
  3. 1 2 3 "La Storia" [History] (in Italian). Autolinea Mendrisiense SA. Retrieved 2012-09-20.
  4. ↑ "Leisure 4 Tramway Station". Motor Rest SA. Retrieved 2012-09-20.


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