Isili
The history of the Cagliari-Isili railway
The Cagliari-Isili railway is a narrow-gauge railway in Sardinia that was built in the 1880s. This line, which connects the centers of Sarcidano, Trexenta, and Parteòlla with the capital city of Cagliari, was the first public narrow-gauge line opened in Sardinia, along with the Monti-Tempio railway. Currently, it is the only active railway in the 950 mm network of southern Sardinia for public transport.
The evolution of the line
Since 2008, following the opening of line 1 of the Cagliari Tram Network, rail operations on the line have been limited to the Monserrato-Isili section. In the past, the management of the line passed from the Secondary Railways of Sardinia to the Complementary Railways of Sardinia in 1921, and during the second world war the railway proved to be a fundamental escape route for thousands of Cagliari residents.
Enhancing infrastructure
After the war, the railway was the focus of a series of significant interventions, including the construction of 18 variants, totaling almost 10 km, and a complete replacement of railway materials. During the 1960s, plans were put in motion to move the Cagliari terminus for urban planning reasons, and on December 1, 1968, the historic Cagliari terminus closed its doors. Passenger trains were re-routed to the Cagliari Piazza Repubblica station, while the depots and workshops were relocated to Monserrato.
The Cagliari-Isili railway today
Today, the Cagliari-Isili railway represents an effective public transport solution for residents and tourists who want to explore the island's interior. The railway links the Sardinian capital with the small towns surrounding Cagliari, providing a convenient and affordable option for public transport. Although the line has been reduced, future investments to make stops safer and more efficient, with the addition of new technologies, could be considered to improve the service.
Conclusions
The Cagliari-Isili railway represents an important part of Sardinian transport history, and its evolution highlights the importance of rail transport for the island. Although the line has been reduced, it remains a convenient, efficient, and affordable public transport service that deserves to be valued. We hope that, in the future, investments will be directed towards the modernization and expansion of this important public service.
