The Principe–Granarolo rack railway (Ferrovia Principe-Granarolo) is a rack railway that connects Via del Lagaccio, near the Genoa Piazza Principe railway station, to the Granarolo hills. The line is sometimes erroneously described as a funicular. The line is managed by AMT Genova, which manages the city’s public transport. [1]
Work on the Principe–Granarolo rack railway started in 1898, and operation commenced in 1901. The line’s unusual track gauge and passing loop arrangement, both common in funiculars but rare elsewhere, have suggested to some that the line may have started life as a funicular and been converted to rack operation; however the line’s owners have dismissed this theory. [1][2][3]
The line’s cars were totally rebuilt in 1929, with new body and mechanical equipment, and the line was rebuilt in 1976. [1][3]
In 2002, Car 2 was sent away for an overhaul, but the bankruptcy of the original contractor and the involvement of a replacement in an alleged bribery scandal meant that the overhaul was not completed and the car returned to the line until March 2019. The overhaul included the replacement of the car floor, lighting, safety systems, electric drive, air conditioning and a new driver’s seat. Between 2002 and 2019, service was provided by Car 1 operating alone. AMT now plans to use the rebuilt car to double the service frequency to every 15 minutes. [1][4]
In November 2024, AMT Genova were undertaking significant maintenance work and the line was closed. On 8th November, they explained that the rack railway was “temporarily down due to an electrical problem with the motor of the upstream traction axle. The restoration activities have already started. Updates on the resumption of service will follow. … During rack downtime, the G1 replacement bus is active.” [5]
Built to 1.2 metre-gauge, the rack railway is 1,130 metres (3,710 ft) in length, and rises 194 metres (636 ft) with a maximum gradient of 21.4%. It uses the Riggenbach rack system and is electrified at 550 V DC. The single central passing loop uses fixed points, and the two cars have double-flanged wheels on one side and unflanged wheels on the other side, thus ensuring that each car keeps to its own side in the loop. [1][2]
The line serves 9 stops, including the two terminals, and, until the closure in early November 2024 for maintenance work, it operated an irregular timetable, with cars departing each terminus between every 30 and 40 minutes. [6]
A Journey Down the Line
We start at the head of the line at Granarolo. The first photograph shows Car No. 1 resting at Granarolo before its next journey South.
Just rode this line today (8 May 2025). Really nice line, beautiful views across the city. The whole of the line is in use with the exception of the final 25 meters or so. The top station looks perfectly in order (well-painted etc.), but is out of use for now, the end of the line is now right before the road crossing at the top. One car is in use, so not too many trams per day, but they do run all day long (last one leaving the top station according to the time table at 23.45!). The trams are well-used by the local people, and sometimes can even be quite crowded.
As a side note, since 1 April 2025 the Zecca–Righi Funicular has been taken out of service for necessary repairs. Also, the Genova–Casella railway is not running either, the whole line is now a bus service. No idea when either of these two closures will end.
Roger Farnworth 
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This line was running when we were in Gonova in June 2023, and we had a ride (free!). Only Car 1 was in use, so service intervals were quite long.
Thank you for the reply, Tom.
What an amazing line, a tramway in 3 dimensions! (I’m discovering your other Genoa funicular posts…)
Hi Roger
You write that there was rack from the beginning – here the proof:
https://www.lavocedigenova.it/2024/05/26/leggi-notizia/argomenti/meraviglie-e-leggende-di-genova/articolo/meraviglie-e-leggende-di-genova-la-cremagliera-di-granarolo.html#goog_rewarded
I just downloaded the picture – only for my own collection.
Just rode this line today (8 May 2025). Really nice line, beautiful views across the city. The whole of the line is in use with the exception of the final 25 meters or so. The top station looks perfectly in order (well-painted etc.), but is out of use for now, the end of the line is now right before the road crossing at the top. One car is in use, so not too many trams per day, but they do run all day long (last one leaving the top station according to the time table at 23.45!). The trams are well-used by the local people, and sometimes can even be quite crowded.
As a side note, since 1 April 2025 the Zecca–Righi Funicular has been taken out of service for necessary repairs. Also, the Genova–Casella railway is not running either, the whole line is now a bus service. No idea when either of these two closures will end.