First Electric Train Service in Italy

July 9, 1900 marked the inauguration of Italy's first electric railway between Milan and Monza, a 14-kilometer line operated by the Rete Adriatica. Powered by a 650-volt third rail, the service used four-wheeled electric locomotives built by Ganz Works of Hungary. This innovation overcame the steep grades and smoke issues of steam locomotives in urban tunnels and stations. The project demonstrated the viability of electric traction for high-frequency suburban service and influenced subsequent electrification across Europe. Key figures included engineer Giuseppe Colombo, who championed the technology. The line's success helped modernize Italian rail infrastructure ahead of World War I and set standards for voltage and current collection still referenced today.