The Centovalli Railway was originally planned
to connect Locarno in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland
with Domodossola in the very north of Italy. The line's opening was
delayed considerably owing to the First World War, but construction
was resumed almost immediately afterwards and the first services
began in 1923.
The railway's name means "One Hundred Valleys", which is taken from
the many valleys that the line crosses and passes through on its
route. The line's passenger numbers dwindled following the Second
World War, but it has remained open continually, having now become
a much-loved tourist attraction.
