Decimomannu
Decimomannu Station: a brief history
Decimomannu Station is an important landmark for the municipality of Decimomannu. This railway station was inaugurated in 1984 to replace the original station built in 1871. The new station is situated slightly further out from the old station.
The history of railroads in Decimomannu
The history of railroads in Decimomannu began in 1871 with the opening of the Cagliari-Villasor route by the Royal Company of Sardinian Railways. The railway reached the old Decimomannu railway station and by 1872 was connected to the newly established Decimomannu-Iglesias Railway. In the post-World War II era, the Sardinian Backbone was under construction and it was decided to double at least part of the Cagliari-Golfo Aranci Marittima Railway. The project to double the tracks between Cagliari and Decimomannu was approved and started in the mid-1970s, with the decision to move the station slightly further out from the old station. The new station was inaugurated in 1984.
Facilities and installations at Decimomannu Station
Decimomannu Station is located along the main Sardinian line, the Cagliari-Golfo Aranci, and it also marks the beginning of the secondary backbone of the FS, which connects to the Iglesias Station and Carbonia Serbariu Station. The station has five tracks for passenger service and two other tracks used for storing rolling stock or for other service purposes. Track one is adjacent to the passenger building and is mainly used by metropolitan trains to Cagliari. Tracks two and three are used for trains heading towards the Sardinian Backbone, while tracks four and five are used for trains heading towards the Sulcis-Iglesiente backbone.
The experimental project for Sardinian network electrification
Decimomannu Station was selected as the terminus of one of the two experimental routes (Cagliari-Decimomannu, the other from Villasor to Sanluri) for testing the FS E.491 locomotive and its related alternating current power supply system as part of the experimental project for the electrification of the Sardinian network. This led to the installation of overhead wires for power supply in the station, which were later removed in the 2000s.
The downsizing of the station's railway infrastructure
In 2012, the railway infrastructure of the station was downsized with the elimination of six tracks (including three dead-end tracks in the freight yard) used for the parking of freight cars and trains.
Decimomannu Station is an important point of reference for the municipality and its inhabitants. Thanks to the presence of the station, it is possible to reach many other locations in Sardinia and beyond. The station has undergone several interventions over the years, but it continues to be a very important place for commuters and those traveling by train.
