Electric trams operate in Trieste since 1900. The terminal for the Villa Opicina line is located at the far end of the pictured street. The former line to Sant Giovanni branches off to the right.
( 01.1909 , postcard )
A tram at the entrance to the Galleria di Mentozza (nowadays Galleria Scipione De Sandrinelli) - one of inner-city tunnels, which were used by trams.
( 1900s , postcard, www.transporti-fvg.it )
ACOTRAL
An urban tram network operated in Trieste until 1970.
( 1960s , Franz Kraus, from Josef Pospichal collection )
ACOTRAL
The outer terminus of the interurban tram line to Barcola. This line was closed on 30.12.1969.
( 1960s , postcard )
Trams and trolleybuses in the city center, near the entrance to the Galleria Scipione De Sandrinelli inner-city tunnel, which was used by both modes. An urban tram network operated in Trieste until 1970. A trolleybus network operated until 19.04.1975.
( 1953 , postcard )
Stanga / TIBB 401
The terminus of the interurban tram Route 2 to Villa Opicina is located at the northern edge of Trieste’s city center. The line begins at 3 meters above the sea level.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 402
A tram at the terminus of the interurban tram Route 2 to Villa Opicina. A small Depot used to be located right in the square, behind the station house. The terminus is equipped with two tracks, however, only one track is used in normal service. The track on the left is also a part of a bus lane.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 402
A tram technically runs head-on against motorized traffic as it leaves the Piazza Oberdan Terminus for Villa Opicina on a quiet Sunday morning.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 402
A Villa Opicina-bound tram is about to turn from Via Giosue Garducci onto the secondary Via Martiri della Liberta. This move is protected by a safety island, located in the middle of the intersection.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401
The section of the tram line within the city is only 400 meters long. Trams follow city streets on a mixed right-of-way, however, on Via Martiri della Liberta trams run via a dedicated tram-only lane.
( 13.07.2008 , Misha Vareshkin )
Stanga / TIBB 401
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401
A Trieste-bound tram runs on Via Martiri della Liberta against motorized traffic via a dedicated tram-only lane. Some sections of the lane are protected by a low safety divider.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401
Trams follow the city streets on a mixed right-of-way, however, on Via Martiri della Liberta trams run via a dedicated tram-only lane.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Graz / UEG 5 + Electric Locomotive
A passing point and a stub-end track for a rack locomotive at the base of the incline section of the line, photographed at the time when a rack technology was employed.
( 1910s , postcard, www.transporti-fvg.it )
Stanga / TIBB 401
A passing point and a stub-end track for a buffer car at the base of the incline section of the line. The given passing point is only used whenever extra cars are running.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Carro Scudo 1
A buffer car attached to a funicular cable awaits in a stub-end track at the base of the incline section of the line, while a passengers car completes its run to the Piazza Oberdan Terminus and back.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401 + Carro Scudo 1
A Villa Opicina-bound passenger car bypasses a buffer car in a stub-end track at the base of the incline section of the line. The funicular cable the buffer car is attached to is loosen up in order to allow the wheels of the passenger car to run over it at the point.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401
A Villa Opicina-bound passenger car changes ends just above the position of a buffer car that awaits in a stub-end track.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401 + Carro Scudo 1
A Villa Opicina-bound passenger car backs up into a stub-end track, toward a buffer car. A back-up move is executed with a driver remaining in the front cab of the passenger car. The given section of the track is supposedly off limits to potential intruders.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401 + Carro Scudo 1
Upon backing up toward a buffer car, a Villa Opicina-bound passenger car rests on it by way of a force of gravity. The point is set for a straight move toward Villa Opicina. The passenger car is about to be pushed uphill by the buffer car behind it.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401 + Carro Scudo 1
A Villa Opicina-bound passenger car is being pushed uphill by a buffer car behind it by way of a funicular principle - the buffer car is attached to a funicular cable, with another consist of the passenger car + buffer car (currently somewhere uphill, invisible in this photo) acting as a counterbalancing weight. Note the funicular cable in-front of the passenger car, but no such cable behind it.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401 + Carro Scudo 1
A Trieste-bound tram is descending toward a stub-end track at the base of the incline section of the line by way of resting under a force of gravity on a buffer car in-front of it. A view from a cab of the passenger car.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401 + Carro Scudo 1
A Trieste-bound tram leaves a buffer car at a stub-end track. The passenger car is backing out of the stub-end. A back-up move is executed with a driver remaining in the front cab of the passenger car.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401 + Carro Scudo 1
A Trieste-bound tram backs out of a stub-end track and moves passed the point. The point is still set for the stub-end track.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401 + Carro Scudo 1
A Trieste-bound tram backs out of a stub-end track and moves passed the point. The point is now set for Trieste, via the track bypassing a parked buffer car.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Graz / UEG 8
Car 8 was the newest of the first generation fleet, delivered in 1913. A rack rail is clearly visible down the middle of the track. The rack technology was used within the incline section of the line between 1902-1928. The photo is most certainly staged, as the rack locomotive, which is supposed to accompany regular passenger cars within the incline section, is absent from the picture, and the service personnel does not seem to be preoccupied with driving.
( 1920s , postcard, www.transporti-fvg.it )
Stanga / TIBB 407 + Carro Scudo 2
A Villa Opicina-bound tram is being pushed uphill by a buffer car behind it by way of a funicular principle - note a funicular cable down the middle of the track. A driver doesn’t seem to be too concerned with driving. The incline section of the line is no longer electrified, as the low-profile buffer cars that were introduced in 2006 do not collect power from an overhead - note the passenger car’s pantograph gliding freely through the air.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401
A Villa Opicina-bound tram is being pushed uphill by a buffer car behind it. A passenger car becomes powerless with a driver simply giving up on controls.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401
Trams are equipped with a CCTV monitoring, as well as automatic controls of drive-less buffer cars and funicular operations.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 407 + Carro Scudo 2
The funicular section of the line follows a ragged mountainous terrain and is built entirely on a reserved right-of-way. A driver proceeds to read a newspaper while a powerless passenger car is being pushed uphill by a buffer car behind it. The incline section of the line is not electrified - the passenger car’s pantograph is gliding freely through the air. In addition, the air-conditioning inside cars shuts off within the funicular section.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 407 + Carro Scudo 2
There are two road crossings within the funicular section of the line. Both are guarded with automated gates and CCTV cameras, as the funicular mechanism is not easily stoppable. Bicycles and motorcycles are prohibited within crossings due to gaps in surface provided for funicular cables.
( 13.07.2008 , Misha Vareshkin )
Stanga / TIBB 401 + Carro Scudo 1
Requests for stops at the San Anastasio and Romagna Stations within the funicular section require an advance notice (supposedly prior to cars entering the funicular section), as such stops involve a centrally-controlled stoppage of cable-operated buffer cars. Whenever one tramcar stops at one of the two stops within the funicular section, the other tramcar at the other end of the cable aligns with the other stop (and vice-versa).
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Graz / UEG + Electric Locomotive
A Villa Opicina-bound tram is being pushed uphill by a rack electric locomotive behind it. The rack technology was used within the incline section of the line between 1902-1928.
( 1920s , postcard, www.transporti-fvg.it )
Stanga / TIBB 407 + Carro Scudo 2
A Trieste-bound tram descends downhill with assistance of a buffer car that it rests upon via a force of gravity. The buffer car is attached to a funicular cable, with another consist of the passenger car + buffer car (currently somewhere uphill, invisible in this photo) acting as a counterbalancing weight. Note the funicular cable behind the passenger car, but no such cable in-front of it.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
A passing point in the middle of the incline section of the line.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 402 + Carro Scudo 2
A Villa Opicina-bound tram is being pushed uphill by a buffer car behind it – as seen from a Trieste-bound car that is descending downhill.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 407 + Carro Scudo 1; Stanga / TIBB 402 + Carro Scudo 2
This passing point is at the half-way mark of the funicular section. Two cars must meet here to allow for a funicular arrangement to physically work.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 407 + Carro Scudo 2
A Trieste-bound tram is descending downhill by way of resting on a buffer car in-front of it that provides braking – as seen from a Villa Opicina-bound tram. The maximum gradient within the incline section of the line is 26%.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 407 + Carro Scudo 1
A Trieste-bound tram is descending downhill – as seen from a Villa Opicina-bound tram. Note a funicular cable down the middle of the track on the left that pulls the Villa Opicina-bound car up, while there is no cable in-front of the ascending Trieste-bound car on the right.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 406 + Chinetti (Varese) / BELL
A Villa Opicina-bound tram is being pushed uphill by a second generation buffer car. The first and the second generation buffer cars collected power from an overhead, which was still present within the incline section of the line at the time of this photo.
( Early 2000s , Stefano Paolini )
Stanga / TIBB 402 + Carro Scudo 2
A Villa Opicina-bound tram is being pushed uphill by a third generation buffer car. The third generation buffer cars, delivered in 2006, do not collect power from an overhead. Consequently, the overhead was removed from within the funicular section of the line.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401 + Carro Scudo 1
There are two road crossings within the funicular section of the line. Both are guarded with automated gates and CCTV cameras, as the funicular mechanism is not easily stoppable.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Chinetti (Varese) / BELL 2 + Stanga / TIBB
A Trieste-bound tram is being assisted downhill by the second generation buffer car in-front of it. The first and the second generation buffer cars required an additional operator. These cars also collected power from an overhead, which was still present within the incline section of the line at the time of this photo.
( 02.04.1993 , Stefano Paolini )
Stanga / TIBB 401 + Carro Scudo 1
Requests for stops at the San Anastasio and Romagna Stations within the funicular section require an advance notice (supposedly prior to cars entering the funicular section), as such stops involve a centrally-controlled stoppage of cable-operated buffer cars. Whenever one tramcar stops at one of the two stops within the funicular section, the other tramcar at the other end of the cable aligns with the other stop (and vice-versa).
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401 + Carro Scudo 2
A section between the funicular passing point and the funicular upper station is an interlaced double-track right-of-way with no clearance for passing (passing would be impossible due to the physics of a funicular principle). The interlaced track separation is provided in order for two parts of a cable to run between tracks unabstracted of one another.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
A winding house at the upper funicular station.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401 + Carro Scudo 1
This photo was taken from the front window of a Trieste-bound tram approaching a buffer car that awaits next to a winding house at the upper funicular station. The buffer car that is attached to a funicular cable is to provide braking as the tram is to descend down the hill ahead.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401 + Carro Scudo 1
Buffer cars of the third generation, delivered in 2006, resemble an open-air platform - a low profile of these cars is meant not to obstruct tram driver’s line of vision. These buffer cars are equipped with two exterior seats for service personnel.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Graz / UEG
A passenger tram and a rack electric locomotive at the upper station of the incline section of the line. Note that a stub-end track to the left is equipped with a rack rail, while other tracks are not. The stub-end is to hold a rack electric locomotive that assisted regular trams up and down the hill. The rack technology was employed within the incline section of the line between 1902-1928.
( 1910s , postcard, www.transporti-fvg.it )
Graz / UEG 2 + Electric Locomotive
A trackwork at the upper station of the incline section of the line. A stub-end track to the left is designed to hold a rack electric locomotive.
( 1920s , postcard, www.transporti-fvg.it )
The upper funicular station as seen from a cab of a Trieste-bound tram. Note two stub-end tracks – the one to the left holds a funicular maintenance platform, while the one to the right is an uphill runaway track, with the preceding point set uphill by default whenever the descending tram is approaching.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
The upper funicular station as seen from a cab of a Villa Opicina-bound tram. Note an uphill runaway track to the left, located at the base of a section with a slight incline that is not equipped with a funicular option (see the uphill track in the background).
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401
A Villa Opicina-bound car climbs uphill north of Vetta Scorcola. This section of the line, even though it features a grade, is manageable without the funicular support.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401
In the woods north of Vetta Scorcola.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 407
The interurban section of the line features three road crossing equipped with railroad-style signaling. The Cologna Campo Sportivo Station and parking lot are visible in the background.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401
( 13.07.2008 , Misha Vareshkin )
Stanga / TIBB 407
The interurban section of the line features three road crossing equipped with railroad-style signaling. All other crossings are basic unsigned arrangements.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 407
The upper section of the line at the plateau level is mostly a reserved siding along Via Commerciale - a secondary road between Trieste and Villa Opicina. Note a Trieste city boundary sign in the background. Also note an unsigned road crossing right behind the tram.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 407
Car 407 is the newest car on the system, delivered in 1942. It is one of two cars (406, 407) that were delivered during the war and were built with simplified interiors. These cars could also be recognized by more angular square-shaped windows.
( 13.07.2008 , Misha Vareshkin )
Stanga / TIBB 402
A Villa Opicina-bound tram approaches a passing point at Conconello.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 402, 407
The given passing point is one of the two passing points that are used in regular service. Cars in this photo represent two subtypes of the second and current generation of trams. Car 402 is one of five cars delivered in 1935 (only four cars remain). Car 407 is one of two cars delivered in 1942. The latter two cars boast a somewhat simplified design as they were delivered during the war. The front view, however, does not reveal any obvious differences.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 407
All trams are equipped with bicycle racks at the north end only (the south end cannot accommodate bicycles as it faces buffer cars when trams operate in a funicular mode).
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401
The upper section of the line at the plateau level is mostly a reserved siding along Via Commerciale - a secondary road between Trieste and Villa Opicina.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 407
A Villa Opicina-bound tram approaches the Banne Stop.
( 13.07.2008 , Misha Vareshkin )
Stanga / TIBB 401
One of three road crossings within the interurban section of the line that feature railroad-style signaling. All other crossings are basic unsigned arrangements.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 407
The given passing point is only used whenever extra cars are running.
( 13.07.2008 , Misha Vareshkin )
Graz / UEG 5
The interurban tramline parallels the road to Villa Opicina that clings to the side of the Monte Calvo mountain. An obelisk commemorating the highway passing over the mountain, and the Grand Hotel Obelisco (nowadays Campeggio Club Trieste) guard the entrance into the town of Villa Opicina. The landscape hardly changed ever since this photo was taken.
( 1920s , postcard, www.transporti-fvg.it )
Stanga / TIBB 407
The tram line clings to the side of the Monte Calvo mountain. The village of Conconello is in the background.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401
Perhaps the most picturesque section of the Trieste – Villa Opicina interurban tramline.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401
A truly interurban tramway – note the Opicina road sign to the right (in both Italian and Slovak languages).
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Graz / UEG 4
An obelisk commemorating the first highway passing over the Monte Calvo mountain at the entrance to the town of Villa Opicina. A restaurant belonging to the Grand Hotel Obelisco (nowadays Campeggio Club Trieste) is on the right. The area hardly changed ever since this photo was taken.
( 1910s , postcard, www.transporti-fvg.it )
Stanga / TIBB 405
A Villa Opicina-bound tram approaches a passing point at the Campo Romano Stop.
( 30.07.2010 , Aleksandar Miladinovich )
Stanga / TIBB 407
The given passing point is only used whenever extra cars are running.
( 30.07.2010 , Aleksandar Miladinovich )
Stanga / TIBB 401
A tram crosses a major highway intersection in Villa Opicina.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 407
The entire section of the line within the town of Villa Opicina is a reserved siding along Via Nazionale.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 407
A Trieste-bound tram leaves the Villa Opicina Terminus and Depot. The line used to continue farther - a 1285 meter extension to the Opicina railway station was opened in 1906. It was operated by a shuttle car connecting to the mainline interurban tram service at the Depot. The extension was closed in 1938.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 407
A tram at the station house at the Villa Opicina Terminus and Depot. The outer terminus of the line is located at 329 meters above the sea level.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 401
A tram at the station house at the Villa Opicina Terminus and Depot.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 407
Originally with only two tracks, the Depot was expanded to five tracks in 1910.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 405
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Stanga / TIBB 402
Tram’s interior prior to the installation of an air conditioner.
( 07.1994 , Daniel Salomons )
Stanga / TIBB 401
Tram’s interior after the renovation – note the air conditioning shaft in the middle of the ceiling.
( 13.07.2008 , Yury Maller )
Graz / UEG 1
A tram of the first generation. This car was restored from a workcar in 1992.
( 2000s , Stefano Paolini )
Chinetti (Varese) / BELL 1 and ACEGAT 194 (1927) ex-Savigliano
A second generation buffer car minus the pantograph at the local railway museum. A tramcar in the background belongs to the city of Savigliano.
( 21.10.2007 , Klaus Foehl )
ACOTRAL 446 (1938)
A Trieste classic urban tramcar at the local railway museum.
( 2000s , www.clubtrenibrianza.it )