Rimini–San Marino railway

Rimini–San Marino railway
A train at Valdragone looking towards Monte Titano
Overview
Native nameFerrovia Rimini–San Marino
StatusPartially operational as heritage railway
Locale
Termini
Stations10
Service
TypeHeavy rail
Operator(s)Società Veneto-Emiliana di Ferrovie e Tramvie
Depot(s)Rimini Marina
Rolling stockCarminati & Toselli 1931
History
Opened13 June 1932 (1932-06-13)
Closed
  • 23 November 1943 (1943-11-23) (Rimini–Rimini Colonnella)
  • 26 June 1944 (1944-06-26) (Domagnano–San Marino)
  • 11 July 1944 (1944-07-11) (Rimini Colonnella–Domagnano)
Reopened21 July 2012 (2012-07-21) (as heritage railway)
Technical
Line length31.4 km (19.5 mi)
Number of tracks1
Track gauge950 mm (3 ft 1+38 in)
Electrification3,000 V DC
Operating speed36 km/h (22 mph)
Highest elevation642.8 m (2,109 ft)
Route map

km
Metromare to Rimini Fiera (planned)
Bologna–Ancona railway
Ferrara–Rimini railway
31.5
Rimini Centrale/Rimini
4
Kennedy
OGR Rimini
30.2
Rimini Marina
(closed 1933)
3
Rimini Colonella
(
1943-
1944
)
21.7
Coriano-Cerasolo
50
Ausa
(
San Marino
Italy
border)
17.9
Dogana
67
Poggio di Serravalle tunnel
Sant'Andrea tunnel
15.0
Serravalle
134
Cà Vir tunnel
Lisignano tunnel
Cà Giannino tunnel
Cà Gozi tunnel
9.5
Domagnano-Montelupo
314
Cerbaiola tunnel
Fonte Vecchia tunnel
7.0
Valdragone
392
Valdragona tunnel
Calintuffo tunnel
Santa Maria tunnel
3.8
Borgo Maggiore
493
Borgo tunnel
Montalbo tunnel
Piagge tunnel
Via Plana tunnel
limit of restored section
Montale tunnel
limit of restored section
0.0
San Marino
643

The Rimini–San Marino railway was a 31.5-kilometre (19.6-mile) electrified narrow-gauge railway that connected Rimini, Italy, with the City of San Marino, Republic of San Marino.

The line was operational for twelve years between 1932 and 1944. A significant engineering feat of its time, it included seventeen tunnels, three bridges, and three viaducts to negotiate the steep terrain. During the Second World War, the line was bombed and closed, after which its tunnels sheltered refugees during the Battles of Rimini and San Marino. After the war, the railway was abandoned in favour of the SS72 state road, San Marino Highway, and Funivia di San Marino.

In 2012, an 800-metre (12-mile) section was reopened as a heritage railway in San Marino, running between Piazzale della Stazione and near Via Napoleone. The restored section comprises the original railway's final horseshoe turn through the 502-metre (1,647-foot) Montale tunnel.

Despite its short operational history, the Rimini–San Marino railway retains an important place in Sammarinese culture and history, and has featured on Sammarinese postal stamps. Both the Sammarinese and Italian governments have expressed interest in reopening the line.