Features and purposes
The "Historical Tramway Line" project, the idea of which is included in the ATTS Statute, was developed jointly with GTT. Its primary goal is to introduce a "Moving Museum" to Turin, promoting the growth of a regular historic line integrated into GTT's regular urban network and operated entirely with original vintage trams, a cultural heritage of all citizens, from both the Turin network and other cities.
The project, the first and only one of its kind in Italy, is inspired by similar initiatives already successfully implemented abroad, particularly the "Market Street Railway" in San Francisco and the historic lines operating in the cities of Porto, Rotterdam, Stockholm, New Orleans, Santos, and others. The project calls for the historic line to be permanently established starting March 27th, 2011. It will use all existing tracks: the identified route, called "Line 7," is circular (in both directions) and forms a ring of approximately 7 km along the large avenues surrounding the historic centre of Turin, very similar to the "Ringlinie" in Vienna (which, however, is operated with modern trams). This route largely follows that of the old "Linea dei Viali", operated in the early 20th century by the "Belga" company, which held a concession for part of the city lines. The line will therefore serve the "historic central" area, satisfying its natural tourist vocation but also the transportation needs of many users who live and work in this part of the city. It will also integrate with the "Star" lines, operated by electric minibuses, which cross the environmentally restricted traffic zone and connect the parking lots surrounding the centre.
The new line 7 will provide a direct connection between the heart of Turin (Piazza Castello) and major attractions on the outskirts of the city centre, such as Porta Nuova station and the Porta Palazzo shopping district. This will complement other existing lines, but be more suited to longer-distance travel. It will also support the most heavily used sections of some lines along the perimeter of the historic centre. Furthermore, the launch of the "Historic Turin Tram Line" represents an opportunity to promote a pilot experience at the Italian level that can strengthen the image of a city with significant historical roots, with expected consequent returns in the tourism sector. The "Historic Turin Tram Line" project has been adopted by the City of Turin, which has included the restoration of the historic rolling stock as part of its efforts to promote low-impact public transport. As such, the project has been approved for funding by the Ministry of the Environment's dedicated fund ("Funding Program for the Improvement of Air Quality in Urban Areas and the Enhancement of Public Transport").
Once fully operational, similarly to what happens for normal public transport lines, the operating costs that will be borne by GTT starting in 2011 will be offset partly by revenue from the sale of travel documents and partly by appropriate public operating contributions.
Today's line 7
After an initial trial period from March 28th to November 27th, 2011, the new Line 7 began operating on September 1st, 2012 with historic tramcars. The project, curated by ATTS - Associazione Torinese Tram Storici (Torinese Historic Tram Association), received support from the City of Turin, which included it as part of its efforts to promote low-impact public transport. In 2020, due to the pandemic, the service was suspended and resumed in May 2022, operating exclusively on public holidays. In 2007, the City obtained funding from the Ministry of the Environment, which, thanks in part to contributions from GTT, allowed the restoration of numerous tramcars of particular historical interest. The historic Line 7 offers tourists, as well as Turin residents, a new way to get around the city centre. It was designed both to be a sort of "moving museum" and to be a line perfectly integrated into the urban network.
A moving museum
The historic line 7 was designed as a “moving museum” for tourists, with a circular route of approximately 7 km, running clockwise only, along the large perimeter avenues and through the historic centre (the terminus is in Piazza Castello), passing through Porta Nuova station and Piazza Vittorio Veneto and Piazza San Giovanni.
The idea behind Circular Line 7 was to revive the legendary "Viali Line," operated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by the "Belga" Company, which had a concession for part of the city's tram lines. This was Circular Line "G," which began service on April 15, 1893, with its terminus in Piazza Statuto and a stop in Piazza Solferino. Compared to the original route, the current Line 7 features a variant along Corso Vinzaglio - Via Cernaia because the tracks in Piazza Solferino are no longer there.
The initiative, unique in Italy, is inspired by similar experiences already successfully implemented abroad, particularly the "Market Street Railway" in San Francisco, the historic lines in Porto, Rotterdam, Stockholm, New Orleans, and Santos, and Line 28 in Lisbon.
Line integrated in the urban network
Line 7 is also designed to offer all Turin residents an additional option for getting around the city centre using eco-friendly public transport, as is already possible with the Star lines operated by electric buses, but with the added charm of travelling in original vintage vehicles.
The journey will therefore take place in a truly unique, bygone atmosphere.
Updated historical tramcars
On the historic line 7, eight trolley trams dating back to the 1930s and 1960s will be used on a rotating basis. The carriages have been completely restored: in addition to being aesthetically restored to their former glory, their electrical and mechanical systems have also been updated to offer the same safety as the most modern vehicles. Here are the tram carriages that can currently be found on line 7 (2022):
 | Motrice 2592 - (anno 1933) - 13,790 m |
 | Motrice 2595 - (anno 1933) - 13,790 m |
 | Motrice 2759 - (anno 1959) - 18,430 m |
 | Motrice 2847 - (anno 1960) - 20,145 m |
 | Motrice 3104 - (anno 1949) - 13,525 m |
 | Motrice 3203 - (anno 1958) - 13,570 m |
 | Motrice 3279 - (anno 1959) - 13,805 m |
 | Motrice 3501 - (anno 1948) - 13,700 m |
Prices
You can travel on the historic line 7 using standard GTT tickets and urban passes.
Timetables
The historic line 7 runs on holidays and peak tourist days, with departures every hour from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
For more information on the routes, stops, and schedules of the historic line 7, please refer to the GTT page with the route and schedule.