The crisis of the secondary railways: The deadwood policy in Italian transport after World War II (1945–1960)

This article investigates Italian transport policy between 1945 and 1960, with a particular focus on secondary railways. Through an analysis of political debates, institutional interventions, and legislative measures enacted during this period, the study examines the effects of these policies on the secondary railway network – most of which was progressively dismantled. The contribution seeks to address a significant gap in Italian transport historiography, which has traditionally prioritised major routes while overlooking the so-called “minor” lines. These secondary railways, however, played a crucial role in supporting both local economies and the mobility needs of peripheral populations. By shedding light on the mechanisms and rationales behind their decline, this study aims to answer the following question: how and why did postwar Italian transport policies, implemented between the end of the Second World War and the early 1960s, contribute to the systematic dismantling of the secondary railway system?