Monte Generoso rack railway, Switzerland

The Ferrovia Monte Generoso runs from Capolago, on Lake Lugano, to a terminus near the summit of Monte Generoso at 1,701 metres (5,581 ft).  The line is 9 km (5.6 miles) long and has a 800 mm gauge. It used the Abt rack system and the maximum gradient is 22%. Originally steam operated and later diesel operated, the line was electrified in 1982 using 800 V DC from overhead. The line is principally operated by four two-car electric trains, built by SLM in 1981-2 and numbered 11-14. Steam locomotive 2 still exists and is occasionally operated.

The line commences at Capolago Lago, where trains connect with steamers on Lake Lugano. However most trains start 300 m (984 ft) up the line at Capolago station, at an altitude of 273 m (896 ft), where they connect with SBB trains on the line from Lugano to Milan via Chiasso. From Capolago station the line climbs to San Nicolao station, 707 metres (2,320 ft), to Bellavista station, at 1,222 m (4,009 ft), and finally to the Generoso Vetta terminus, at 1,605 m (5,266 ft). Both San Nicolao and Bellavista stations have passing loops.

The line opened on 5 June 1890, but the owner went bankrupt twice (in 1904 and 1914). When this looked like happening again in 1939, the Swiss Migros supermarket chain took over and still own the line. From 1891 to 1913 a 600 mm (1 ft 11 5⁄8 in) gauge horse drawn tramway linked Bellavista station with the Hotel Pasta.

While the railway lies entirely within Switzerland, the summit station is only a few metres from the border with Italy.