The Monza–Molteno railway is a regional rail line in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, connecting the city of Monza to the town of Molteno. It serves as a primary transport artery for the Brianza area, a densely populated and industrial sub-region.
History
The railway was inaugurated on October 14, 1911. It was originally commissioned and operated by the Società per la Ferrovia Monza-Molteno-Oggiono (MMO), a private company. The line was designed to provide a direct link between the industrial centers of Brianza and the city of Milan via Monza. In 1954, the Italian state took over the management of the line, incorporating it into the national network (Ferrovie dello Stato).
Infrastructure
The Monza–Molteno railway is a single-track line. A distinctive feature of this railway compared to many other lines in the Milanese hinterland is that it remains non-electrified. Consequently, the line is served exclusively by diesel-powered rolling stock. The infrastructure is characterized by a winding path with significant gradients as it navigates the hilly terrain of the Brianza region.
Service and Operations
The line is currently operated by Trenord, the regional railway company of Lombardy. Since 2014, the service on this line has been categorized as Line S7 of the Milan suburban railway service (Servizio ferroviario suburbano di Milano). The S7 service typically runs from Milano Porta Garibaldi, passing through Monza and Molteno, and usually continuing to its terminus in Lecco via the Como–Lecco railway.
The line is widely known by the nickname "Besanino," a name derived from the town of Besana in Brianza, which is one of the principal stops along the route.
Stations and Route
The line starts at Monza station and heads north, featuring several stops that serve the local communities and the Monza Circuit (via the Biassono-Lesmo Parco station). Key stations along the route include:
- Monza
- Villasanta Parco
- Biassono-Lesmo Parco
- Macherio-Canonica
- Triuggio-Ponte Albiate
- Carate-Calò
- Villa Raverio
- Besana
- Renate-Veduggio
- Cassago-Nibionno-Bulciago
- Costa Masnaga
- Molteno
At Molteno, the line converges with the Como–Lecco railway, allowing for onward travel toward the city of Lecco.