inauguration of electric traction on the railway from Milan to Varese, Italy

This happened on 16 October 1901 and used a third rail on the outside of the running rails at 650 Volts DC. The length of this line is about 60 km.  Twenty two-car electric units were built which consisted of a power car and an unpowered trailer (presumably containing a driving cab).  The system was replaced with 3 kV from overhead in 1947(?).