Trieste funicular Tram di Opicina 2: Piazza Oberdan - Opicina

Operational

City: Trieste (Italy).
Total route length: 5.1 km (3.2 miles).

Track gauge: 1000 mm (metre gauge).
Opened: September 2, 1902.
Closed: August 16, 2016 because of rebuilding.
Reopened: February 1, 2025.
Closed: October 12, 2025 because of renovation.
Reopened: January 15, 2026.

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Funiculars in Trieste

Trieste funicular Tram di Opicina 2: Piazza Oberdan - Opicina
Operational

Stops

Piazza Oberdan → Opicina → Romagna.

Trieste funicular Tram di Opicina 2: Piazza Oberdan - Opicina route map

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Videos of Trieste funicular Tram di Opicina 2: Piazza Oberdan - Opicina

2:37

Opicina tram: work to be redone? According to the new regulation (2024)TG scheduled for 10/05/2024 - TRIESTE - The new operating document for the Opicina Tram will be finalized at the beginning of June; only then will it be possible to determine whether new work on the line will be necessary. Today, during the IV council commission, an update was provided on the restart process of the Opicina Tram, including the reopening of carriages and the implementation of additional miscellaneous works. During the same meeting, an update was given on the current situation. The working group, consisting of Ansfisa, Ferrovie dello Stato, the Region, Trieste Trasporti, and the Municipality, is finalizing the guidelines for the operation and maintenance of the narrow-gauge tram lines, specifically the Tram. Of the approximately eight technical sheets needed for the document, four have been received, resulting from six online meetings between the working group members and a recent traction test. The operating lines will serve as the reference manual for the Tram, documenting all essential details for proper service management. This document was requested in October 2023 by Ansfisa after the Municipality completed the mandated works according to current regulations, which the Municipality executed, tested, and is now undergoing technical inspections. In August last year, after finishing the works, ANSFISA notified the Municipality that at some points, gauge, skew, and cant conformities were not met. Specifically, there are 12 points where the design tolerances, based on railway regulations used as a reference, were exceeded by a few millimeters. Naturally, the Municipality was prepared to intervene if necessary, but a subsequent decision was made to draft a specific operating document, which is now in progress. Therefore, the Municipality has not yet intervened on these issues, as the new regulation might determine that the works already completed fall within permitted standards. To conclude, by the beginning of June, all the technical sheets from the joint working group should be available, indicating whether the work already completed is satisfactory or not. Only then will an evaluation take place - Interviewed ENG. LUIGI FANTINI (MANAGER OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF TRIESTE) (Report by Bernardo Gulotta) - Follow Telequattro also on digital terrestrial! Picina tram: restarting carriages and proceeding with various possible works today. During the fourth committee meeting, an update on the situation was provided. Currently, the working group, which includes Ansfisa, Ferrovie dello Stato, the Trieste region's transportation authority, and the municipality, is finalizing the draft of the guidelines for operating and maintaining the narrow-gauge tram lines, also known as the tram. Out of the eight technical sheets intended for the document, four have been received—these results came from six web meetings among the working group members and a traction test conducted over recent weeks. The operating lines will serve as the reference manual for the tram, containing all essential details for proper service management. These sheets primarily include technical specifications related to how the track gauge, superelevations, stops, and sleeper types and sizes should be evaluated, measured, and constructed within allowed tolerances. This document was received by Ansfisa between late September and early October 2023, following the completion of the work. As mandated by current regulations and operated by the municipality, Ansfisa notified the city in August of last year, after the works' completion, that some points did not fully conform regarding gauge, skew, and superelevation. Specifically, there are 12 points where, due to millimeters, the project’s permissible tolerances were exceeded according to the railway standards used as a reference. It’s important to note that the Municipality was prepared to intervene if necessary. Subsequently, Ansfisa decided to create a specific operational document, which is currently in development, to enhance safety further. Because of this, the municipality has not yet intervened regarding these deviations, awaiting the new regulation, which might declare that the completed works are within acceptable limits. Consequently, by early June, all technical sheets from the joint working group are expected to be finalized, which will determine whether the past work is compliant or not. Only then will the need for further interventions be assessed; these are possible but not guaranteed. Based on the new tolerances and current status, I believe the working group activities will conclude after roughly two more meetings, depending on the schedule set by DAFISA, likely by the end of May or mid-June.By Telequattro - May 10, 2024.

17:29

Trieste-Villa Opicina Tramway (2017)An interurban tramway line between Trieste and Villa Opicina is a hybrid of a tramway and a funicular line.By C57128 - May 23, 2017.

7:38

Opicina Tram - Trieste (2016)The Opicina tram is the only tram in Europe with an integrated electric traction system and a still-functioning funicular.By ErebosSan - June 14, 2016.

2:59

The Tram Trieste - Opicina (2012)Report on the history of the tram from Trieste over the steep slopes. Trieste has a lot to offer, including a tram. Well, you might think so, but this tram is something special. It runs between Trieste and Opicina, a suburb high above the port city. The route features a gradient of over 26% in some areas, which the tram cannot manage going up or down without assistance. Just after leaving Trieste, a vehicle is attached to the tram that doesn't have a specific technical name. It's a type of funicular railway, like the one on Graz's Schlossberg. The car going downhill pulls the tram uphill, while the second car in front of the descending tram acts as a brake. The steel cable connecting the two vehicles runs through an extensive drive system located at the middle station. From there, the tram resumes on its own. In the railway museum at the former Trieste central station, you can find old photos, timetables, and the predecessors of today's cable car. Initially, the Trieste-Opicina tram was supported by a cog railway for its uphill and downhill sections, starting in 1902. In 1928, the system was upgraded to a funicular. This cable car had a grey wooden body, which was later replaced with an orange metal body and continued to operate until 2005. Today, the push and brake vans are unmanned, but the system has remained the same since 1928. Over 700,000 people ride this tram each year. It is the last of the original trams in Trieste, and with its support system, it's genuinely unique worldwide. The first cars from 192 are stored in the depot in Opicina. One of these was fully restored 10 years ago. The old tram between Trieste and Opicina also has a special feature and a connection to Graz. It was built in the Weizer wagon factories in Graz. Today, these factories are known as Simmering Grazbauten. The second car is still in the depot, waiting to be revived. An accident shortly after its debut in 1902 inspired the Triestina to write a song about sports. The accident involved the tram jumping off the rails while descending and crashing into a house. It's almost as dangerous as the Bohrer, which falls from the mountain at 200 km/h. That's what the song says, but I love how they tease each other, as is well known, and that also applies to the Triestina and its tram to Opicina, which continues to operate even after 110 years.By Fritz Arnez - August 15, 2012.

9:26

Tramway Trieste - Opicina: descent in the funicular traction section (2012)The tram from Opicina to Trieste docks with the shield car to begin the descent along the funicular-powered section. It follows a complete retrospective journey along the descent, crossing with the ascending car, and uncoupling the shield car at the end of the descent.By alexmos73 - June 10, 2012.

Last updated: August 25, 2026.