FTM transports 2 million passengers per year along its 56 km (35 mi) line, including tourists.

In 1891 a proposal for a new railway in Trentino (then part of the Austrian Empire was issued by Paolo Oss Mazzurana, mayor of Trento.

After the end of World War I, the Trentino was given to Italy, the railway was acquired by the Ferrovie dello Stato, and then established as an independent company in 1936.

The line was almost totally rebuilt, shortened by 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) but assuming the character of a true railway without road-embedded sections.

In 1945 it passed under a new public company, Società Locale Trento Malè, who controlled it until 2002, when it became part of Trentino trasporti.