Biasca–Acquarossa railway

The Biasca–Acquarossa railway (Italian: Ferrovia Biasca–Acquarossa; BA) was a Swiss metre gauge railway that linked the towns of Biasca and Acquarossa, in the canton of Ticino.[2]

Biasca–Acquarossa railway
Train of the Biasca–Acquarossa railway outside Biasca station
Overview
Status	Closed and removed
Locale	Canton of Ticino
Termini	Biasca Acquarossa
Stations	15
History
Opened	1911
Closed	1973
Technical
Line length	13.8 kilometres (8.6 mi)
Track gauge	1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in)
Minimum radius	133 metres (436 ft)
Electrification	1200 V, DC, overhead
Maximum incline	3.5%
Route map km elev Gotthard railway from Lugano 0.0 Biasca FFS 292 m Gotthard railway to Arth-Goldau 1.0 Biasca-Borgo 304 m Vallone 3.4 Loderio 353 m 4.8 Leggiuna 365 m 5.6 Brugaio 359 m 6.5 Malvaglia Chiesa 366 m 7.7 Malvaglia Rongie 380 m 9.6 Motto-Ludiano 441 m 10.4 Marogno 452 m 11.5 Dongio 479 m 12.6 Corzoneso 505 m 13.8 Acquarossa 538 m Source: Swiss railway atlas[1]

The Gotthard railway opened in 1882, providing a transport link to the communities of the valley of the Ticino River. In order to provide a link to the communities of the Valle di Blenio, the Biasca–Acquarossa railway was opened in 1911. The line closed in 1973 and was replaced by a bus service.[3]

The line was 13.8 kilometres (8.6 mi) long, and was electrified at 1200 V DC using overhead lines. It commenced from the square in front of Biasca station, had 14 stops, a maximum gradient of 3.5% and a minimum radius of 133 metres (436 ft).[2][3]

The main depot of the line in Biasca, which was built in the late 1960s, is in use as a bus depot by Autolinee Bleniesi, who operate bus services including those replacing the railway.[4] The line's Acquarossa terminus is also used by the same company.[3]