Trieste–Opicina tramway
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Trieste–Opicina tramway (Italian: Tranvia Trieste-Opicina, Slovene: openski tramvaj, Triestine: Tram de Opcina) is an unusual hybrid tramway and funicular railway in the city of Trieste, Italy. It links Piazza Oberdan, on the northern edge of the city centre, with the village of Villa Opicina in the hills above.[1][2]
This article needs to be updated. (June 2021) |
Trieste–Opicina tramway | |||
---|---|---|---|
Overview | |||
Locale | Trieste, Italy | ||
Transit type | Hybrid tram / funicular | ||
Number of lines | 1 | ||
Number of stations | 13 | ||
Operation | |||
Began operation | 1902 (1902) | ||
Ended operation | Suspended since August 16, 2016 | ||
Operator(s) | Trieste Trasporti | ||
Number of vehicles | 8 tramcars + 2 cable tractors | ||
Technical | |||
System length | 5.2 km (3.2 mi) (799 m or 2,621 ft cable section) | ||
Track gauge | 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge | ||
Electrification | 550 V DC overhead line | ||
|
The tramway is currently out of use, following an accident in August 2016, with a replacement bus service operating.[3][4][5] Reopening of the line was postponed until February or March 2020, a deadline set by Trieste city council,[6] and then delayed again due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but as of the end of 2021 was due to take place in 2022.[7]
When in use, for most of the journey the line operates as a conventional, electrically powered tramway, with a mixture of street running and reserved track. On the steepest section of the line, between Piazza Scorcola and Vetta Scorcola, the trams are pushed uphill and braked downhill by a pair of cable tractors that operate on funicular principles.[8]
The line forms part of the network of Trieste Trasporti, the public transport provider for Trieste.