Alessandria–Casale Monferrato Tramway
The Alessandria–Casale Monferrato tramway was an interurban tram line that connected Alessandria, San Salvatore Monferrato and Casale Monferrato between 1880 and 1935.
History
The history began on 7 April 1880, when in the Council Hall of the municipal palace of Alessandria the application submitted on 16 April 1876 by Domenico Bellisomi and Ercole Belloli for the construction of two "steam tramways" lines was discussed and accepted: one from Alessandria to Sale, the other from Alessandria to Casale Monferrato.
The inauguration of the Alessandria–Sale and Alessandria–Casale lines took place on 1 August 1880 in the presence of the Minister of Grace and Justice Tommaso Villa, the parliamentarians of the province of Alessandria, and the prefect.
In October 1881, Belloli and Bellisomi, meanwhile appointed Knights, ceded the line to the Belgian Società Anonima delle Tramvie a Vapore della Provincia di Alessandria (Anonymous Company of the Steam Tramways of the Province of Alessandria), which had been established the previous year in Brussels and was authorised to operate in Italy from February 1881.
Over time, the line, like the other sections operated by the "Belga", was no longer able to meet the needs of the local population, offering an increasingly poor service. On 1 April 1927, the section between San Salvatore and Casale Monferrato was suppressed; the remaining section was suppressed in 1935.
Characteristics
The tramway line was single-track with standard gauge of 1445 mm, entirely on a mixed-use route. It extended for 31.100 km. The minimum curve radius was 30 metres, and the maximum gradient was 60 per thousand. The convoys could reach a maximum speed of 20 km/h.
Rolling stock
The rolling stock fleet of the "Belga", used interchangeably on all company lines, consisted, between 1927 and 1930, of twelve steam locomotives, 31 two-axle trailers, and 70 goods wagons.
See also
- List of tram and light rail transit systems
- History of rail transport in Italy
- Alessandria–Altavilla Tramway
- Altavilla–Casale Monferrato Tramway
- Alessandria–Sale Tramway