Culture meets rails

In Bergamo, a city where medieval walls meet the unmistakable charm of Italy, the new T2 tram line is taking shape. Soon, modern Škoda vehicles will head towards Villa d’Almè on a route that largely follows the former Brembana Valley railway. Here, the mobility of yesterday is shaping the routes of tomorrow. To ensure the reliable operation of the new connection, HANNING & KAHL and its Italian representative, Project Automation S.p.A., supplied the point machines as well as the control and safety systems. By Christoph Meyer zu Holsten

The T2 will connect Bergamo with the municipalities of Ponteranica, Sorisole, Almè and Villa d’Almè. The predominantly double-track line is 11.5 kilometres long, includes 17 stops and will take around 30 minutes to travel from end to end. Numerous tunnels, flyovers and underpasses are being built along the route. HANNING & KAHL has been involved in several key areas of the new T2. Together with its Italian representative Project Automation S.p.A., the company has supplied the point setting systems as well as the control and safety technology for the Petosino depot and the Ramera, Villa d’Almè, Bronzetti, Marconi, Stadio, Sant’Antonio, S. Caterina and Brughiera track segments.

At the heart of the solution are HANNING & KAHL’s modern HVIP controllers, which provide a comprehensive solution for the control and signalling installations along the new line. SBC blocking circuits, HFP track circuits, LED signal transmitters and a communication system will be used. The solution is complemented by Project Automation’s monitoring systems. The various components are tailored to the requirements of Tramvie Elettriche Bergamasche (TEB) and together form a customised, integrated technical solution.

HANNING & KAHL also plays a key role in the point setting systems: a total of 48 electric point machines from the 61.1 series and nine manual point machines from the 40 series have been installed. This means that HANNING & KAHL is supplying a significant part of the signalling infrastructure for the new T2 line.

Ten Škoda trams will operate on the new T2 line. Measuring approximately 33 metres in length, these vehicles can accommodate up to 281 passengers. The newly built Petosino depot will play a central role in daily operations. This is where the ten T2 vehicles will be stabled, washed and cleaned. HANNING & KAHL and its Italian representative Project Automation S.p.A. have also supplied the control and safety technology needed for this depot. 

The T2 will transform the historic route of the Brembana Valley railway into a modern tram line. For HANNING & KAHL, the project is another contribution to ensuring the safe and reliable operation of modern tram infrastructure.