Naples–Portici railway

The railway line Naples - Portici was the first railway line in Italy.

The railway was built to standard gauge single track and opened on October 3, 1839 by King Ferdinand II. She was 7.25 km long. Starting point in Naples was today's Corso Garibaldi, or about the area of ​​today's main railway station of Naples. At the destination station Portici there was a royal residence, at the foot of Vesuvius. The line ran in the then independent kingdom of the Two Sicilies. It was built as a result of erwirkten by French entrepreneur Armand Bayard de la Vingtrie concession. The concession allowed the construction of the railway to Nocera Inferiore on the Sorrento Peninsula, a 35.8 km long stretch along the Gulf of Naples. Future extensions to Salerno and Avellino were provided as options. The extension to Castellammare di Stabia in 1842, according to Nocera Inferiore 1844.

The wrought iron rails were mounted on stone blocks that were dug into the ground. The track width was ensured by cross braces. The "modern" wood threshold had not been invented.

As a basic three locomotive Longridge from Newcastle upon Tyne were delivered, two of which were named Bayard and Vesuvio. My weight was 13 tons each, they made 65 hp and reached a top speed of 50 km / h The cars were manufactured locally.

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Today the route is part of the railway line Naples -Salerno. On the railway line Naples - Portici and the National Railway Museum Pietrarsa located directly at the breakpoint Pietrarsa - S. Giorgio a Cremano. There 1:1 models of the first locomotive and the first car of the train are issued.