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By Peter Ehrlich (about) (contact)
Milan, Italy is the financial and fashion capital of Italy, located in the base of the Lombardy region of Northern Italy. Some 1.5 million people reside within the "Comune" limits, with another million or two nestled in the suburbs. It is a bustling metropolis laced with narrow streets in the Centro Storico, as well as many wide tree-lined boulevards, or "Viali." Most of the buildings are of massive masonry construction, giving the city the impression that it means business. This same sense of purpose sometimes leaves visitors with the impression that Milan is a cold, uninspiring city, compared to others in Italy such as Florence, Rome and especially Venice. Yet there are many architectural and pastoral gems scattered around the entire city, starting with the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, both located in the physical and spiritual center of the city, Piazza Duomo. Nearby is the world-famous La Scala Opera House. Milan, indeed, is a great walking city. Many Centro Storico streets have been made off-limits to private automobiles. Milan is also blessed with one of the largest and most interesting tramway systems in Europe. The first horsecars began running in 1862 and electrification was introduced in 1893. The tramway network reached its peak in 1940, with 310 km of trackage. Despite retrenchment and "Metropolitana" construction, there are still 168 kilometers of tramway today. There are 17 separate tram lines, linking every part of the city, on which operate five varieties of trams, ranging from the 1928-built, American-style "Ventotto", or "Peter Witts," to the newest vehicles, the "Eurotram" and the "Sirio". Most numerous are the Peter Witts. 175 of these sturdy trams still operate every day on the streets of Milan, out of 250 rebuilt between 1988 and 1992, and from an original fleet of 502. Then come the 33 6-axle trams numbered 4601-4613 and 4714-4733, built between 1955 and 1960 by Stanga and Breda. In 1970, the Azienda Trasporti Municipale (Milano) designed its first 8-axle "Jumbotram", number 4801, using carbodies of the 5200s and 5300s with a homebuilt center section. By 1976, some 44 of these had been constructed and were placed in service initially on Milan's heaviest service, Line 15, which extended into south Milan, and then to others. Another 100 brand-new 8-axle "Jumbotrams" numbered 4900-4999, built by Fiat and Stanga, were received in 1976/77. In 2000, ATM (now renamed Azienda Trasporti Milanesi) placed in service the first of 26 ADTranz low-floor "Eurotrams", which were initially assigned exclusively to Line 14. ATM has an order for 93 "Sirio" low-floor trams with Ansaldo-Breda, 58 being 8-axle units and 35 6-axle cars, to be numbered in the 7100-series and 7500-series, respectively. These will be used on a series of new interurban routes and to phase out the 4800s and some Peter Witts. Delivery and testing begain in 2002. Milan's tramways run on city streets and on a lot of side-of-the-road private right of way. In some cases, such as along Viale Fulvio Testi/Viale Zara (Lines 5/7/11), routes run on either side of a motorway. The future looks good for Milan's tramway system. Two new "Metrotramvia" are under construction, one of which is along an existing line. New cars are coming. And ATM plans to rebuild up to 60 "Peter Witts"--the oldest streetcars in Europe still in regular service--for 10 more years of service. Changes to Milan tramways since December 2002 Beginning in December, 2002, the first addition to Milan's tramway system was opened with the introduction of Line 7--Largo E. Mattei--Piazza Lagosta. This was a new service which featured Milan's newest trams--the ultra-long Eurotrams and Sirio. It connected with the Metropolitana at Zara M3 and ran via Lines 11 and 2 (with Line 4 as far as Ca' Granda) to the new Bicocca University, a college specializing in the applied sciences. After passing through the campus, it skirted the Italian Railways line to Bergamo and then ducked under the tracks, ending at Largo E. Mattei. This was a forerunner of major changes to come the following year. During 2003 the eastern crescent of Circular Lines 29/30 was closed for major roadway and trackway rebuilding--a project that was completed by the end of 2004. This affected not only lines 29/30, but also Line 9 (which was replaced with articulated buses for the duration) and Line 23, which used the eastern crescent. Line 23 became a shuttle from Lambrate to Repubblica with a long terminal loop via Repubblica and eastward past Stazione Centrale. Lines 29/30 terminated at Porta Genova in the south and Piazza IV. Novembre (Centrale) in the north. Beginning December 8, 2003, both the new Metrotramvia Nord and Metrotramvia Sud opened for service. This resulted in changes to lines 2, 4, 5, 7, 15 and 24, with a new Line 16 created to take the place of the western end of Line 24 and the southeastern portion of Line 4. A major equipment shuffle between depots (depositi) occurred as a result. Metrotramvia Nord is the section formerly operated by the D�sio interurban between Via Valtellina along Via Farini to Parco Nord (Niguarda District)--the city limits. Lines 4 and 5 operate this service, and the interurban connects at Parco Nord. Metrotramvia Sud is a new route for Line 15 built to the east of, and paralleling, Line 3 between Ticinese and Abbiategrasso. A summary of the changes and car assignments Line 1. No changes. Peter Witts. Trams painted historic yellow/white livery provide most of the service on this line. Line 2. In December 2003, this line was truncated to Viale Lunighana in the north. Service north of Viale Lunighana was taken over by extended Line 5, leaving Line 11 as the only route to run to Bignami. However, additional service on Zara and Fulvio Testi was provided by Line 7. No changes in the south end. Peter Witts. Trams painted historic yellow/white livery have begun to appear on Line 2. Line 3. No changes. 4800/4900 Jumbotrams and Sirio. Line 4. Beginning in December 2003, a major new line from Largo Cairoli/Castello to Parco Nord (Niguarda District). The section north from Via Farini to Parco Nord--Metrotramvia Nord--is all new, a replacement for the Dsio interurban. The Monte Velino portion of this route was taken over by new Line 16. Long and short Sirio. Previously, this line had Peter Witts. Line 5. Beginning in December 2003, a major northward extension of this line from Piazza IV. Novembre (Centrale) to Parco Nord via Lunighana, Zara, Ca' Granda and Metrotramvia Nord from Ospedale Maggiore to Parco Nord (Niguarda District). 6-axle trams and Peter Witts. Line 5/slash. Daytime-only supplemental short turn of Line 5 between Ospedale Maggiore and Piazza Lagosta. Peter Witts. Line 7. Beginning in December 2003, a major southward extension of this line from Piazza Lagosta to Largo Cairoli/Castello took place. Starting in 2007, the line was extended northeastward from Largo Mattei to the new Deposito Precotto. Sirio and 6-axle trams. Between December 2003 and 2007, the line had Peter Witts and 4900 Jumbotrams. Originally, this line had Eurotrams and Long Sirio. Line 9. Reopened December 2004. Short Sirio, 6-Axle trams and occasional 4800/4900-series Jumbotrams. Previously, this line had Peter Witts. Line 11. Significant changes due to closure of trackage passing Stazione Garibaldi occurred in 2007. The line now covers the west terminal of Line 33 at Cacciatori d'Alpi 6-axle trams, Peter Witts and occasional 4800-series Jumbotrams. Line 12. No changes. 4800/4900 Jumbotrams. Line 14. No changes. 4800/4900 Jumbotrams and long/short Sirio. Previously, the line also had Eurotrams. Line 15. Beginning in December 2003, major new line from Duomo to Rozzano. Has a separate route between Duomo/Ticinese and Abbiategrasso, where it joins Line 3 between there and Gratosoglio. No changes below Gratosoglio. 4900 Jumbotrams and Eurotrams. Line 16. Beginning in December 2003, new line replacing the western half of Line 24 from San Siro (formerly called Axum) to Duomo, then replacing the southeastern portion of Line 4 to Monte Velino. 4900 Jumbotrams with occasional Peter Witts in rush hours. Previously, the west portion used 4900 Jumbotrams while the east portion had Peter Witts. Line 19. No changes. Peter Witts. Trams painted historic yellow/ white liveryhave begun to appear on Line 19. Line 23. Reverted to its original routing from Fontana to Lambrate via the East Ring in December 2004. Peter Witts. Line 24. Now operates only between Duomo and Vigentino. Western portion was taken over by new Line 16. 4900 Jumbotrams. Line 27. No change. 4900 Jumbotrams. Reportedly, Peter Witts have also been spotted on this route. Lines 29/30. Restored to their entire Ring route in December 2004. Peter Witts. Previously, this line had 6-axle trams. Significant changes due to closure of trackage passing Stazione Garibaldi occurred in 2007. The line loops at Stazione Centrale (Piazza IV. Novembre) and Deposito Messina. Line 33. Significant changes due to closure of trackage passing Stazione Garibaldi occurred in 2007. The line runs in 2 branches, both terminating at Stazione Centraole (Piazza IV. Novembere). Alternate cars operate to Lambrate by the traditional route over Via Vitruvio or via the east end of Line 11 via Repubblica and Via Tunisia. Peter Witts. The Depots (Depositi), and basic line assignments Many route assignments are divided between depositi. Baggio. 4900s and 2/3 of the 6-axle tram fleet, plus a small number of Peter Witts, and the entire special/historic fleet. Assignments: Lines 3, 7, 9, 12, 16 and 24. Leoncavallo. 4900s, 6-axle trams and Peter Witts. Assignments: Lines 1, 2, 5, 11, 23, 24, 27, 33. Messina (the Cathedral of Traction). 4800s, Long and Short Sirio and Peter Witts. Assignments: Lines 1, 3, 4, 5/slash, 9, 12, 14, 19, 29/30, 33. Ticinese. 4900s, Peter Witts, Eurotrams. Assignments: Lines 2, 3, 12, 14, 15. Precotto (opened 2007). Long Sirio. Assignments: Lines 4 and 7. A note about historic car 609 Car 609 was originally work car 700, built in the 1930s. It was restored by ATM to represent the large fleet of "Edison" 2-axle trams which were the backbone of Milan's tramway fleet until the advent of the Peter Witts in 1928/29. Peter Witt cars on property as of April, 2005 (Notes: #=Stored out of service at Famagosta depot, R=Retired for historic fleet; @=Accident damage; ST=Special Tram).1503ST 1504 1511 1521 1526 1527 1530 1531 1533 1539 1541 1544 1545 1552 1561 1564 1565 1566 1568 1569 1579 1580 1582 1585 1589 1590 1591 1592 1596 1597 1600 1602 1605 1609 1611 1613 1623 1625 1626 1630 1631 1634 1635 1636 1641 1646# 1648 1650 1652 1656 1658 1661 1662 1665 1670 1671 1673 1677 1686 1687 1688 1689 1694# 1699ST 1702ST 1703 1704 1708 1714 1719 1723ST 1724# 1725 1726 1730 1732 1736 1737 1738 1744 1745 1746 1747 1749 1754 1756 1757 1759# 1771 1773 1782 1784 1785 1787 1788 1789 1794 1798 1799 1800 1802 1803 1804# 1809 1812# 1813 1819 1821 1822 1825 1826# 1827 1830 1833 1835 1836 1841 1842 1843 1846 1847ST 1849 1851 1852 1853 1854# 1855# 1857 1858 1860 1861 1862 1863 1866 1867# 1870 1872 1874 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1883 1886 1890 1892 1893 1895 1897 1898 1899 1901 1902 1908R 1915# 1916 1917 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1926 1929 1930@ 1931 1935 1936 1940 1944 1948 1949 1950 1951 1954 1956 1957ST 1960 1963 1966 1968 1970 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986# 1989 1990 1993 1994 1997@ 1999 2000 2002 Peter Witt Cars Preserved Elsewhere (Incomplete)
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