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==Recent and Future Changes==
==Recent and Future Changes==
There are various infrastructure improvements planned or in progress but completion dates for those underway have been missed by months; no doubt the Country's financial situation and protracted sale of OSE to FS has not been helping. This list is not thought to be complete and '''any updates would be appreciated by the Compilers'''.
===Future Changes===
===Future Changes===
Train services were withdrawn between [Florina] - Messonissia and Kremenica (North Macedonia) from an unknown date (but prior to 2004) owing to tensions between Greece and what was then FYROM (the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). Messonissia - Neos Kafkasos had been rebuilt by 2014. Reconstruction onwards across the border, and by MZ southwards from Bitola, was completed in 2019 but no traffic has passed.
====Infrastructure Changes====
 
* The previously-metre gauge branch from Isthmos to Loutraki is being converted to standard gauge and electrified. Opening to passengers is expected in 2025. The new station in Loutraki is expected to be some distance short of the location of the original metre gauge station.
A replacement route of approximately 21km is under construction between Polykastro and Idomeni which will eliminate an old river bridge and lengthy riverside section. Completion was expected in 2021 but a contract to modernise signalling, track and electrification on the entire line from Thessaloniki, scheduled to take three years, was awarded at the end of March 2022, so it will presumably not be finished until 2025 at the earliest.
* Work was due to start in early February 2024 on the reconstruction of 34.6 km of the former metre gauge Ano Losia - Elefsina - Megara line (west of Athens and south of the line to Kiato) as part of the suburban system.
 
* Electrification of the Larisa - Volos and Palaeofarsalos - Kalambaka branches. Tenders may have been issued for this project.
In 2017 Patras city council decided to require that the Athens - Kiato - Aegion - Patras standard gauge line should run underground for 10 km from Rio, or bypass Patras altogether, rather than using the present metre gauge alignment. The present situation is unknown but the EU may demand that their funding is returned if the line is not built.  At December 2022 there is no sign of any work on electrifying Kiato - Aegion.
* It is planned to put the 3.2 km northern exit from Athina main station underground and quadruple the line.
 
* Extensions are planned to the Athens suburban system to Rafina (on the coast east of Athens) and from from Koropi (on the line to the airport) to Lavrio, in the far south of the peninsula. Contracts had been put out to tender by ERGOSE, but "streamlining" of the projects by the Ministry of Transport has postponed them - possibly indefinitely.
<!---In October 2014, the head of OSE stated that the Korinthos - Argos - Nafplio line was to be reopened. However, there is no further news as at March 2018.  
* Train services were withdrawn between [Florina] - Messonissia and Kremenica (North Macedonia) from an unknown date (but prior to 2004) owing to tensions between Greece and what was then FYROM (the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). Messonissia - Neos Kafkasos had been rebuilt by 2014. Reconstruction onwards across the border, and by MZ southwards from Bitola, was completed in 2019 but no traffic has passed.
A tender with responses by March 2018 to rebuild as Standard gauge and electrify the previous 6.4km NG branch from Isthmos - Loutraki has been issued.
* A replacement route of approximately 21km is under construction between Polykastro and Idomeni which will eliminate an old river bridge and lengthy riverside section. Completion was expected in 2021 but a contract to modernise signalling, track and electrification on the entire line from Thessaloniki, scheduled to take three years, was awarded at the end of March 2022, so it will presumably not be finished until 2025 at the earliest.
--->
* In 2017 Patras city council decided to require that the Athens - Kiato - Aegion - Patras standard gauge line should run underground for 10 km from Rio, or bypass Patras altogether, rather than using the present metre gauge alignment. The present situation is unknown but the EU may demand that their funding is returned if the line is not built.  At December 2022 there is no sign of any work on electrifying Kiato - Aegion.
There have been plans to revive parts of the Peloponnese narrow gauge network if proven viable, by means of joint ventures involving OSE, local authorities and businesses. However, a significant landslide has rendered the section between Zevgolateio and Korinthos unusable as all operable stock is to the west of Zevgolateio.
<!---In October 2014, the head of OSE stated that the Korinthos - Argos - Nafplio line was to be reopened. However, there is no further news as at March 2018.--->
* There have been plans to revive parts of the Peloponnese narrow gauge network if proven viable, by means of joint ventures involving OSE, local authorities and businesses. However, a significant landslide has rendered the section between Zevgolatio and Korinthos unusable as all operable stock is to the west of Zevgolatio.


=== Train Service Changes in 2024 ===
===Changes in 2024===
====Train Service Changes====
On 30 November 2024, Line 1 of the new Thessaloniki metro, covering 10 km from New Railway Station to Nea Helvetia opened. see [https://www.emetro.gr/?lang=en Project Website].
On 30 November 2024, Line 1 of the new Thessaloniki metro, covering 10 km from New Railway Station to Nea Helvetia opened. see [https://www.emetro.gr/?lang=en Project Website].


On 21 October 2024, services resumed between Alexandrúpoli and Orestiáda, operated by Hellenic train.
On 21 October 2024, services resumed between Alexandrúpoli and Orestiáda, operated by Hellenic Train.


On 1 October 2024, services resumed between Thessaloniki - Serres, operated by Hellenic train.
On 1 October 2024, services resumed between Thessaloniki - Serres, operated by Hellenic Train. The Serres - Drama section remains operated by buses.
The Serres - Drama section remains operated by buses.


=== Train Service Changes in 2023 ===
===Changes in 2023===
====Train Service Changes====
As a result of damage (see Service suspensions above) caused by storm Daniel on 22 September 2023 many service were suspended.
As a result of damage (see Service suspensions above) caused by storm Daniel on 22 September 2023 many service were suspended.


Following the serious accident on 28 February 2023 at Tempi on the Athens-Thessaloniki main line, the whole country's rail services were suspended. Limited services have since resumed with details of those running listed on their website. For example from 16 August 2023 can be found [https://www.hellenictrain.gr/sites/default/files/2023-08/TRAIN%20SERVICE%20FROM%2016-08-2023_0.pdf here].
Following the serious accident on 28 February 2023 at Tempi on the Athens-Thessaloniki main line, the whole country's rail services were suspended. Limited services have since resumed with details of those running listed on their website. For example from 16 August 2023 can be found [https://www.hellenictrain.gr/sites/default/files/2023-08/TRAIN%20SERVICE%20FROM%2016-08-2023_0.pdf here].


=== Train Service Changes in 2022 ===
===Changes in 2022===
None known
None known.
=== Train Service Changes in 2021 ===


===Changes in 2021===
====Train Service Changes====
Trams commenced running between Neo Faliro and a loop in Piraeus via Agia Triada at the western end of the Athems tramway, on 15 December 2021.
Trams commenced running between Neo Faliro and a loop in Piraeus via Agia Triada at the western end of the Athems tramway, on 15 December 2021.
Trams resumed running between Neo and Palaio Faliro at the western end of the Athems tramway, after 10 months, on 20 January 2021 so restoring the system to its full extent. Work included preparing connections for the new extension to Piraeus.
Trams resumed running between Neo and Palaio Faliro at the western end of the Athems tramway, after 10 months, on 20 January 2021 so restoring the system to its full extent. Work included preparing connections for the new extension to Piraeus.


=== Train Service Changes in 2020 ===
===Older Changes===
Trams start running back to Syntagma Square in Athens on 20 November 2020, after some 2 years of closure between Kasomouli Street and Syntagma Square, due to issues with the dry River Ilissos bed the route was built over.
For details of older changes see [[Greece - Older General Information]].
 
The Kiato - Aegion section of the Athens - Kiato - Aegion - Patras standard gauge line opened on 22 June 2020. As electrification work has not commenced this was with diesel traction.
 
The Patras suburban service was extended 30 km westwards to Kato Achaia from 29 February.
 
===Train Service Changes in 2019===
The old mountainous route between Ligaria (5 km north of Leianokladi) and Domokos closed on 25 January. The new line between Ligaria and Domokos, including the 6380 m twin-bore Othris tunnel, opened on 29 January albeit still with diesel haulage. The full service with electric haulage throughout started on 20 May.
 
===Train Service Changes in 2018===
The first short section of the Leianokladi - Domokos line, the 5 km between Leianokladi and Ligaria, opened on 21 April, replacing the old line entirely on this section.
 
The new Tithorea – Lianokladi line opened, much delayed, to freight on 2 February, with diesel traction. Following completion of electrification, passenger services started using the line from an unknown date in April. It is not known when all services over the old line ceased. However, after pressure from local authorities, a limited two pair service was reinstated over the old line from 17 July.
 
The Patras suburban service section between Rio and Agios Vasileios was bustituted from 15 May for conversion to standard gauge
 
From 7 March the line between Dikaia and Ormenio, on the Greek side of the Bulgarian border, was reopened to passengers.
 
A new Ano Liosia - SKA - Koropi service commenced on 24 February 2018 which reinstated use of the section from the junction West of SKA to the platforms.
 
===Train Service Changes in 2017===
From 30 July 2017 the Athens area suburban services were recast: the Airport to Kiato service was diverted into Athina (thus opening the SKA south to east curve to traffic) and split into two separate services. Alternate services from the Airport now run to the SKA low level platforms and terminate there.  This resulted in the withdrawal of services between the SKA low level platforms and the junction with the south to west curve until an east west local service was reinstated on 24 February 2018.
 
A through Athina - Kiato service providing the first passenger service over the SKA south to west curve was introduced from an unknown date. This may have coincided with the changes above. '''Any information would be appreciated by the Compilers'''.
 
Since 25 May 2017 passengers on the service between Thessaloniki and Sofia have been taken by bus between Kulata and Strimon.
 
===Train Service Changes in 2016===
The Annual and only passenger services between Kalamata - Asprochoma - Messini each year between 20 - 28 September for the Messinian Feast and litany of the miraculous image of Virgin Mary of the Monastery of Voulkano Festival did not run due to a track washout. They have not run since.
 
===Train Service Changes in 2015===
With effect from 21 August 2015 trains to and from North Macedonia were withdrawn south of Gevgelija, owing to issues with migrants, and no longer entered Greece.
 
===Train Service Changes in 2014===
The daily Beograd - Skopje - Thessaloniki summer overnight and Thessaloniki - Sofia daytime services resumed on 10 May 2014.
 
From 31 March 2014, passenger services started running between Athens and Ano Liosia via a curve bypassing SKA (Acharnes Railway Center).
 
===Train Service Changes in 2012===
The Thessaloniki - Edessa - Aminteo - Florina line reopened on 14 October 2012.
 
A weekly summer-only service was reintroduced between Thessaloniki and Skopje (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, now North Macedonia) reportedly from 14 July 2012 to 30 September 2012.
 
===Train Service Changes in 2011===
 
All international services from Greece were discontinued from 13 February 2011. Since resumed, see above
 
The very bad financial situation in Greece caught up with OSE in December 2010. The following lines were closed to all traffic on 1 January 2011, although a few had already ceased operating by then:
 
*Patras - Kalamata
*Pyrgos - Olympia (since re-opened)
*Pyrgos - Katakolo (since re-opened)
*Isthmos - Loutraki (had already ceased. Due to reopen in 2025)
*Diakopto - Kalavryta (was operating only irregularly but has since re-opened)
*Kalonero - Kyparissia
*Korinthos - Kalamata (was not operating between Tripoli and Zevgolateio)
*Korinthos - Korinthos standard gauge (narrow gauge shuttle assumed to close here - any evidence of a subsequent service would be appreciated)
*Argos - Nafplio
*Patras - Rio suburban service (since re-opened)
*Kalamata - Zevgolateio suburban service
*Thessaloniki - Edessa - Aminteo - Florina (since re-opened)
*Aminteo - Kozani
*Serres - Alexandroupolis - Pithio - Dikaia (since re-opened); trains from Ormenio to Bulgaria had already ceased.
*Thessaloniki - Idomeni (with the cross border international services ceasing on 13 February 2011)
*Strimon - Kulata (service ceased from 13 February 2011)
*Larissa - Volos (local trains) (since re-opened)
*Palaeofarsalos - Kalambaka (local trains) (since re-opened)
 
===Train Service Changes in 2009===
The one train each way between Dikaia and Svilengrad (Bulgaria) was withdrawn in August 2009.
 
===Infrastructure Changes===
====Future Changes====
There are various infrastructure improvements planned or in progress but completion dates for those underway have been missed by months, no doubt the Countries financial situation and protracted sale of OSE to FS not helping. This list is not thought to be complete and any updates  '''would be appreciated by the Compilers'''
 
* Work is due to start in early February 2024 on the reconstruction of 34.6km of the former metre gauge Ano Losia - Elefsina - Megara line (west of Athens and south of the line to Kiato) as part of the suburban system.
* Electrification of the Larisa - Volos and Palaeofarsalos - Kalambaka branches. Tenders may have been issued for this project.
* It is planned to put the 3.2 km northern exit from Athina main station underground and quadruple the line.
* Extensions are planned to the Athens suburban system to Rafina (on the coast east of Athens) and from from Koropi (on the line to the airport) to Lavrio, in the far south of the peninsula. Contracts had been put out to tender by ERGOSE, but "streamlining" of the projects by the Ministry of Transport has postponed them - possibly indefinitely.
 
====Recent Changes====
On 28 February 2018 ERGOSE issued an invitation to tender for upgrading and electrification of the previously metre gauge Isthmos - Loutraki line.
 
Other recent electrification includes the line to Athens Airport.
 
Now disused, but a metre gauge connection was built and services ran in at least 2007 from Korinthos ng station via a reversal in the Argos direction into a platform at the new Korinthos Standard gauge edge of town station.
 
The former metre gauge line between Palaeofarsalos and Kalambaka was converted to standard gauge in 2001. The metre gauge  Palaeofarsalos - Volos line was closed to regular traffic on 19 June 1998. There were expectations of use by special trains, but there were very few and the line has now been lifted in several places.


==Special Notes==
==Special Notes==

Revision as of 22:05, 9 December 2024

Service Suspensions

As a result of damage (see below) caused by storm Daniel on 22 September 2023, trains ceased to run between Lianokladi and Thessaloniki, Paleofarsalos and Kalambaka, and Larissa and Volos.

  • Larissa - Volos: over 60 km damaged
  • Larissa - Domokos: about 50 km damaged
  • Paleofarsalos - Kalambaka: about 80 km damaged

It was initially reported that it would probably take 2 years to repair the lines fully.

Through trains from Athens to Thessaloniki recommenced on 16 December 2023. Also on this date, services on some of the following lines, which had been provided by buses, were partially or fully restored as follows:

  • Thessaloniki - Alexandroupolos Port (services restored between Thessaloniki and Drama)
  • Alexandroupolos Port - Ormenio (the single return service restored)
  • Plati - Florina (services restored between Plati and Edessa)
  • Lianokladi - Stylida
  • Lianokladi - Bralos - Tithorea

Country Name

Greece (Hellas)

National Railway System

All railway infrastructure in Greece is owned and maintained by OSE (Organismos Sidirodromon Ellados, or Ο.Σ.Ε., Οργανισμός Σιδηροδρόμων Ελλάδος).

National Railway Operator

Train services are operated by Trainose/ΤραινΟΣΕ. Suburban traffic in Attika (Piraeus - Athens - SKA - Halkida and Athens Airport - SKA - Kiato) and Makedonia (Thessaloniki – Domokos) is operated under the brand name Proastiakos (Suburban Railway).

Trainose was transferred to the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund in 2013 in preparation for privatisation and a sale to Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane which completed on 14 September 2017. The company rebranded as Hellenic Train in 2022.

Official Website

Hellenic Train

Language

Greek. There is no single transcription mapping between Greek script and Roman script. In addition Greek spellings have changed over the years and some stations may bear names printed using now obsolete Greek spellings. In smaller places served by the railway system, away from the main tourist areas, older people may only speak one of the Greek dialects.

Placenames shown in EGTRE endeavour to use the same transliteration as the journey selection box in Journey planner. Note that in some cases a different English spelling is used on station nameboards and as mentioned above another spelling may be carved / painted on the station. A final source of confusion is within the journey planner where yet another spelling is sometimes used in the train timings pop-up window.

Currency

Euro

UIC code

numeric 73; alpha GR

Timetable

Journey Planner

Journey planner in English

Note that trains shown in the journey planner with train numbers prefixed "C" and suffixed "(ΛΕΩΦ)" are operated by buses.

Downloadable Timetable

Following the serious accident on February 28 2023 at Tempi on the Athens-Thessaloniki main line, the whole country's rail services were suspended. Since then limited services have resumed with details of services running listed on their website. For example from 16 August 2023 can be found here.

Normally PDF files are available as links, or directly, from the following pages:-

Printed Timetable

None.

Engineering Information

The Hellenic Trains announcements webpage, gives details of engineering work or long term closures.

Maps

Printed Maps

Web-based Maps

Ticketing

Hellenic Train and Proastikos trains and buses can all be used by tickets purchased online. Purchase of long-distance trains, suburban trains, and the narrow gauge services from Ano Lekhonia to Milies or Diakofto to Kalavryta is possible without registering as a "Member"; use the trip finder / search train schedules function to identify and select the train / connecting trains you want to book, then click the "Seat selection and Passengers" button at the top right, to select your seats (on long distance trains or buses), add the passenger's name and click "Payment" in the top right. These services can be very crowded so reservations are desirable but Reserved seats are not marked as such. Note there is a discount for anyone over 65 of between 20% and 50%.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Authority

OSE (Organismos Sidirodromon Ellados) / Ο.Σ.Ε. (Οργανισμός Σιδηροδρόμων Ελλάδος) determines the overall strategy and manages railway infrastructure.

ERGOSE SA manages most railway modernisation projects.

Network Statement

The network statement can be found here [1]

Gauge

Standard, including the new Athens - Kiato (- Patras) line. The Peloponnese lines from Piraeus to Patras, Olympia and Kalamata etc are/were metre gauge. The rack line from Diakopto to Kalavryta is 750 mm gauge. The Pelion line from Ano Lechonia to Milies is 600 mm gauge.

Electrification

25 kV 50 Hz.

Athens metro and tramways are 750 V dc. Metro Line 3 services to the airport change from third rail DC to 25 kV AC overhead at Plakentias.

A contract was signed in July 2023 for electrification of the 71 km Kiato – Rododaphni line.

Rule of the road

Right.

Distances

The Network Statement Annexes above (file 2 of 2) give distances for each station; see ANNEX Ι-Α: Infrastructure Data.

Other Railways

None.

Tourist Lines

  • Diakopto – Kalavryta (22 km long, part rack-fitted) (750 mm gauge)
  • Pelion Railway Ano Lehonia to Milies (600 mm gauge)
  • Attica Museum Railway Keratea and Kalivia (metre gauge)
  • Thessaly Museum Railways Volos – Palaeofarsalos (metre gauge). A 10 km section between Velestino and Aerino was operated for a period by the museum railway, but the website does not show any recent services. The rest of the line is already out of use. There was a railway museum at Volos station but no recent information is available.
  • Tempi valley railway: former main line (replaced by a new double track line) along the Tempi river, operated by motor draisines, with no scheduled timetable

Metro

Athens Offical web site System diagram at UrbanRail.Net
Thessaloniki Offical web site System diagram at UrbanRail.Net

A driverless metro has been under construction in Thessaloniki for at least 25 years, the 10 km of Line 1, From New Railway Station to Nea Helvetia, finally opened on 30 November 2024. In July 2013, a contract was signed for a 5 km branch from 25 Martiou to Micra, which is set to open in 2025 as Line 2.

Trams/LRT-Systems

Athína (Athens). The UrbanRail.Net site has a basic diagram of the system.

Recent and Future Changes

There are various infrastructure improvements planned or in progress but completion dates for those underway have been missed by months; no doubt the Country's financial situation and protracted sale of OSE to FS has not been helping. This list is not thought to be complete and any updates would be appreciated by the Compilers.

Future Changes

Infrastructure Changes

  • The previously-metre gauge branch from Isthmos to Loutraki is being converted to standard gauge and electrified. Opening to passengers is expected in 2025. The new station in Loutraki is expected to be some distance short of the location of the original metre gauge station.
  • Work was due to start in early February 2024 on the reconstruction of 34.6 km of the former metre gauge Ano Losia - Elefsina - Megara line (west of Athens and south of the line to Kiato) as part of the suburban system.
  • Electrification of the Larisa - Volos and Palaeofarsalos - Kalambaka branches. Tenders may have been issued for this project.
  • It is planned to put the 3.2 km northern exit from Athina main station underground and quadruple the line.
  • Extensions are planned to the Athens suburban system to Rafina (on the coast east of Athens) and from from Koropi (on the line to the airport) to Lavrio, in the far south of the peninsula. Contracts had been put out to tender by ERGOSE, but "streamlining" of the projects by the Ministry of Transport has postponed them - possibly indefinitely.
  • Train services were withdrawn between [Florina] - Messonissia and Kremenica (North Macedonia) from an unknown date (but prior to 2004) owing to tensions between Greece and what was then FYROM (the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). Messonissia - Neos Kafkasos had been rebuilt by 2014. Reconstruction onwards across the border, and by MZ southwards from Bitola, was completed in 2019 but no traffic has passed.
  • A replacement route of approximately 21km is under construction between Polykastro and Idomeni which will eliminate an old river bridge and lengthy riverside section. Completion was expected in 2021 but a contract to modernise signalling, track and electrification on the entire line from Thessaloniki, scheduled to take three years, was awarded at the end of March 2022, so it will presumably not be finished until 2025 at the earliest.
  • In 2017 Patras city council decided to require that the Athens - Kiato - Aegion - Patras standard gauge line should run underground for 10 km from Rio, or bypass Patras altogether, rather than using the present metre gauge alignment. The present situation is unknown but the EU may demand that their funding is returned if the line is not built. At December 2022 there is no sign of any work on electrifying Kiato - Aegion.
  • There have been plans to revive parts of the Peloponnese narrow gauge network if proven viable, by means of joint ventures involving OSE, local authorities and businesses. However, a significant landslide has rendered the section between Zevgolatio and Korinthos unusable as all operable stock is to the west of Zevgolatio.

Changes in 2024

Train Service Changes

On 30 November 2024, Line 1 of the new Thessaloniki metro, covering 10 km from New Railway Station to Nea Helvetia opened. see Project Website.

On 21 October 2024, services resumed between Alexandrúpoli and Orestiáda, operated by Hellenic Train.

On 1 October 2024, services resumed between Thessaloniki - Serres, operated by Hellenic Train. The Serres - Drama section remains operated by buses.

Changes in 2023

Train Service Changes

As a result of damage (see Service suspensions above) caused by storm Daniel on 22 September 2023 many service were suspended.

Following the serious accident on 28 February 2023 at Tempi on the Athens-Thessaloniki main line, the whole country's rail services were suspended. Limited services have since resumed with details of those running listed on their website. For example from 16 August 2023 can be found here.

Changes in 2022

None known.

Changes in 2021

Train Service Changes

Trams commenced running between Neo Faliro and a loop in Piraeus via Agia Triada at the western end of the Athems tramway, on 15 December 2021.

Trams resumed running between Neo and Palaio Faliro at the western end of the Athems tramway, after 10 months, on 20 January 2021 so restoring the system to its full extent. Work included preparing connections for the new extension to Piraeus.

Older Changes

For details of older changes see Greece - Older General Information.

Special Notes

Station names are usually shown in Roman script as well as in Greek, but spellings can vary considerably from what may appear in timetables, maps or guide books.

See also

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