Mendrisio electric tramway

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]

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
StatusClosed and removed
LocaleCanton of Ticino, Switzerland
Termini
Stations49
Service
Services1
History
Opened1910
Closed1950
Technical
Line length11.9 kilometres (7.4 mi)
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)
Minimum radius25 metres (82 ft)
Electrification800 V DC, overhead
Maximum incline7.5%
Route map

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 entirely 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]

  • Share of the Tram Elettrici Mendrisiensi, issued 1. January 1908
    Share of the Tram Elettrici Mendrisiensi, issued 1. January 1908
  • Share of the Tram Elettrici Mendrisiensi, issued 1. January 1908, reverse side
    Share of the Tram Elettrici Mendrisiensi, issued 1. January 1908, reverse side

References
  1. Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz. Verlag Schweers+Wall GmbH. 2012. p. 60. ISBN 978-3-89494-130-7.
  2. "Tramvie Madrisiensi". www.eingestellte-bahnen.ch (in German). Retrieved 2012-09-20.
  3. "La Storia" [History] (in Italian). Autolinea Mendrisiense SA. Retrieved 2012-09-20.
  4. "Leisure 4 Tramway Station". Motor Rest SA. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-09-20.

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