Italy (Emilia Romagna) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services
Introduction
This list is based on the timetable in force from 10 December 2023. Although the timetable is shown as valid until 8 June 2024, most long-distance services are shown as operating only until March. Such trains are not indicated by note 'D' (for a service only running on certain dates), because it is a reasonable expectation that their period of operation will be extended or a similar service is provided instead. It is assumed that the timetable will continue to be updated and reissued regularly, as has been the case since summer 2020. Users are recommended to check the Trenitalia website to ensure they are using the latest version of the timetable.
Table numbers quoted here are from In Treno Tutt'Italia, the official Trenitalia timetable. Standard abbreviations are explained here.
Map references for each route entry are given in parentheses ( ). References prefixed "ERA-E" refer to the European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition) by M.G. Ball. References prefixed "ERA-R" refer to the European Railway Atlas (Regional Series: Book 2) by M.G. Ball. References prefixed "S+W", or in italic, refer to Atlante ferroviaro d'Italia e Slovenia by Schweers + Wall.
Two useful symbols exist which show the booked route for trains not calling at a station: in the middle of the train column, a vertical bar "|" means that the train passes through the station without stopping, whereas a middle dot "·" means that the train does not pass through that station but instead takes a different route.
Obscure services
Connections between the old main line (Linea Tradizionale) and the high-speed Linea AV/AC are listed in geographic order from Piacenza to Bologna, irrespective of whether they have a regular passenger service or not.
Bivio Piacenza Ovest – Piacenza (P.M. Piacenza Ovest)
[45] (ERA-E 80C4; ERA-R 156C5; S+W 52D3) IT23/71
High-speed trains calling at Piacenza run via the Linea Tradizionale, except for the following which use the connection to the Linea AV/AC north of Piacenza.
| FA8823 | 17:50 Milano Centrale - Pescara Centrale | ||
| FA8825 | 18:50 Milano Centrale - Ancona | ||
| FA8802 | Ancona - 08:33 Piacenza - Milano Centrale | ||
| FR9330 | Roma Termini - 23:41 Piacenza - Milano Centrale |
Southbound trains from Milano that normally run via route IT23/73 use this route instead on 4 to 6 July 2023.
Piacenza (2° Bivio Piacenza Est) – 1° Bivio Piacenza Est
[45] (ERA-E 80C4-C5; ERA-R 156C5; S+W 52D3) IT23/72
This connection south of Piacenza links the Linea Tradizionale with the Linea AV/AC. It is occasionally used for diversions.
1° Bivio Fidenza Ovest - Fidenza (2° Bivio Fidenza Ovest)
[45] (ERA-E 80C5; ERA-R 156C5; S+W 48A1) IT23/73
This connection between Linea AV/AC and the Cremona to Fidenza line first gained a passenger service in December 2019. It enables trains to use the Linea AV/AC between Milano and Fidenza and call at Parma.
Southbound trains from Milano do not use this route on 4 to 6 July 2023 and instead run via route IT23/71.
| FR8803 | 08:05 Milano Centrale - Bari Centrale | ||
| FR8807 | 11:05 Milano Centrale - Taranto | ||
| FR8809 | 12:05 Milano Centrale - Lecce | ||
| FR8811 | 13:05 Milano Centrale - Lecce | ||
| FR8813 | 14:05 Milano Centrale - Lecce | ||
| FR8819 | 16:05 Milano Centrale - Bari Centrale | ||
| FA8829 | 20:05 Milano Centrale - Ancona | ||
| FA8804 | Ancona - 09:09 Parma - Milano Centrale | ||
| FA8806 | Pescara - 10:09 Parma - Milano Centrale | ||
| FR8810 | Bari Centrale - 12:09 Parma - Milano Centrale | ||
| FR8814 | Lecce - 14:09 Parma - Milano Centrale | ||
| FR8818 | Lecce - 16:09 Parma - Milano Centrale | ||
| FR8820 | Taranto - 17:09 Parma - Milano Centrale | ||
| FR8824 | Lecce - 18:09 Parma - Milano Centrale | ||
| FR8830 | Bari Centrale - 23:09 Parma - Milano Centrale |
The following trains use this route on a limited number of days in August 2023:
| D1 | FR9505 | 05:00 Milano Centrale - Salerno | |
| D1 | FR9603 | 05:40 Milano Centrale - Napoli Centrale | |
| D1 | FR9511 | 06:00 Milano Centrale - Lecce | |
| D2 | FR9573 | 21:05 Milano Centrale - Reggio di Calabria Centrale | |
| D3 | FR9556 | Napoli Centrale - 20:36 Bologna Centrale - Milano Centrale | |
| D3 | FR9662 | Napoli Centrale - 20:56 Bologna Centrale - Milano Centrale | |
| D3 | FR9810 | Pescara Centrale - 21:18 Bologna Centrale - Milano Centrale | |
| D3 | FR9560 | Lecce - 21:36 Bologna Centrale - Milano Centrale | |
| D3 | FR9668 | Napoli Centrale - 21:56 Bologna Centrale - Milano Centrale | |
| D3 | FR9592 | Salerno - 22:38 Bologna Centrale - Milano Centrale | |
| D2 | FR9672 | Roma Termini - 22:56 Bologna Centrale - Milano Centrale |
D1: 8 to 11 August 2023
D2: 10 August 2023
D3: 7 to 10 August 2023
Parma (2° Bivio Parma Est) - 1° Bivio Parma Est
[45] (ERA-R 157A5; S+W 35B3) IT23/74
This connection south of Parma links the Linea Tradizionale with the Linea AV/AC. It is occasionally used for diversions.
1° Bivio Modena Ovest - Modena (2° Bivio Modena Ovest)
[45] (ERA-R 157B4; S+W 141C3) IT23/75
This connection north of Modena links the Linea Tradizionale with the Linea AV/AC. It is not normally used by passenger trains, but is occasionally used for diversions.
Bivio Castelfranco Est: Castelfranco Emilia - Bologna Centrale
[45, 202] (ERA-E 83A1; ERA-R 157B4; S+W 48A1) IT23/76
Most high-speed trains beween Modena and Bologna are to and from the Ancona line, so use the ground-level platforms at Bologna Centrale. The following use the connections between the Linea Tradizionale and Linea AV/AC at Castelfranco Est, in order to use the low-level platforms and call at Modena.
| FR9301 | Mantova - 06:47 Modena - Roma Termini | ||
| FR9303 | Milano Centrale - 07:41 Modena - Roma Termini | ||
| FR9328 | Roma Termini - 21:51 Bologna Centrale - Mantova | ||
| FR9330 | Roma Termini - 22:16 Bologna Centrale - Milano Centrale |
The additional trains running via route IT23/73 in August 2023 also use this route.
Anzola dell'Emilia: PM Anzola - PM Lavino
[45] (ERA-E 83A1; ERA-R 158B5; S+W 144A2) IT23/77
Most high-speed trains to and from the Ancona line use the Linea Tradizionale all the way between Tavazzano (south of Milano) and Bologna Centrale, or the connection at Bivio Fidenza Ovest. The following use the Linea AV/AC between Milano and PM Anzola, just north of Bologna, and the connection there to the Linea Tradizionale.
| FR9805 | Torino Porta Nuova - 11:20 Reggio Emilia AV - Lecce | ||
| FR9809 | Milano Centrale - 16:21 Reggio Emilia AV - Bari Centrale | ||
| D1 | FR9325 | Torino Porta Nuova - 17:42 Reggio Emilia AV - Bologna Centrale | |
| FR9811 | Milano Centrale - 18:14 Reggio Emilia AV - Pescara Centrale | ||
| FR9802 | Pescara Centrale - 08:13 Bologna Centrale - Milano Centrale | ||
| FR9806 | Bari Centrale - 12:18 Bologna Centrale - Milano Centrale | ||
| FR9808 | Lecce - 19:18 Bologna Centrale - Torino Porta Nuova | ||
| FR8830 | Bari Centrale - 21:18 Bologna Centrale - Milano Centrale |
D1: 27 December 2022 only
Bologna S Viola - Bologna Centrale - Bologna S Ruffillo - Bivio Emilia
[45,46] (ERA-E 83A4-B4; ERA-R 156B5-156C4; S+W 144B3-144C4, not shown in full) IT23/78
High-speed trains via Bologna Centrale use the low-level platforms, except those to and from the Ancona line, which has no connection to the low-level.
[55] (ERA-E 83A4; ERA-R 156B5; S+W 144C2-144B3, shown as under construction) IT23/79
High-speed trains beween Padova and Bologna Centrale use this line, which came into use in December 2017, to access the low level platforms at Bologna Centrale, unless running to or from the Ancona line.
Routes used occasionally for diversions
Bologna Cintura
(ERA-E 83A3-A4; ERA-R 156B5-156C5; S+W 144A2-144C3) IT23/81
The Bologna Cintura runs round the north and east of the city, avoiding Bologna Centrale, with connections to all main lines. Long-distance trains are occasionally diverted via the Cintura and this is indicated by omission of a usual stop at Bologna Centrale. Use of this route is much less frequent following completion of the Linea AV/AC through Bologna.
The Cintura is expected to be used on several weekends during 2023 by Frecciarossa trains between Milano and Venezia, as a result of engineering work between Verona and Padova in connection with construction of the Linea AV/AC. Italo services, if not cancelled, are likely to be similarly diverted.
These routes were used on 28 January 2023 and schedules for 25 & 26 February are shown below. Further diversions are expected on 11 & 12 March, 15 & 16 April, and 6 & 7 May 2023.
PM Lavino - Bologna Corticella
This route between the Milano and Padova lines is used by FR trains with no advertised stop between Milano and Padova and an extended journey time. These trains need to switch between the Linea AV/AC and the old main line north of Bologna, so may use route IT23/77.
Trains via this route on 25 & 26 February 2023 are:
- From Milano Centrale: FR9709 08:15 SuO, FR9710 08:45 SuO, FR9723 11:45 SuO, FR9727 12:45, FR9731 13:45, FR9741 15:45 SuO, FR9753 18:13 (from Milano Porta Garibaldi), FR9757 19:15
- From Padova: FR9708 07:46 SuO, FR9716 09:04 SuO (to Milano Porta Garibaldi), FR9724 11:16 SuO, FR9736 14:16, FR9744 16:16, FR9748 17:16 SuO, FR9758 19:16
Bivio Tavernelle - Bologna Corticella
This route between the Verona and Padova lines is used by FR trains not calling at Vicenza and with a much extended journey time between Verona and Padova.
Trains via this route on 25 & 26 February 2023 are:
- From Milano Centrale: FR9705 07:15 SuO, FR9707 07:45 SuO, FR9717 09:45 SuO, FR9735 14:45, FR9743 16:13 (from Milano Porta Garibaldi), FR9747 16:45 SuO, FR9755 18:45, FR9763 20:45 SuO
- From Verona Porta Nuova: FR9702 07:32 SuO (to Milano Porta Garibaldi), FR9713 09:02 SuO, FR9728 13:02, FR9740 16:02, FR9748 18:02 SO, FR9754 19:32, FR9762 20:57 SuO
Bologna S Ruffillo - Bivio Emilia
(ERA-R 158C4; S+W 144C3) IT23/82
This connection from the Direttissima Bologna - Firenze to the Linea AV/AC has not been used since the line through the underground platforms at Bologna Centrale opened. As a result of engineering work on the Direttissima Bologna - Firenze passengers on some IC trains are carried by special services, using Frecciarossa trains (sold at Intercity fares) via this connection and the Linea AV/AC. Note the line has separate tunnels by direction so the connection at the south end to/from the Direttissima at Bivio Emilia is underground grade separated which is not reflected in the Schweers + Wall Atlas.
| D1 | SuO | IC1513 | 09:29 Bologna Centrale - Firenze Campo di Marte (for passengers on IC583) |
| D1 | SO | IC1517 | 16:41 Bologna Centrale - Firenze Campo di Marte (for passengers on IC597) |
| D1 | SO | IC1519 | 20:45 Bologna Centrale - Firenze Campo di Marte (for passengers on IC599) |
| D1 | SuO | IC1518 | 08:12 Firenze Campo di Marte - Bologna Centrale (for passengers on IC580) |
| D1 | SO | IC1520 | 15:33 Firenze Campo di Marte - Bologna Centrale (for passengers on IC590) |
| D1 | SO | IC1516 | 19:47 Firenze Campo di Marte Bologna Centrale (for passengers on IC596) |
D1: 21 January to 26 February, 11 March to 2 April, 15 & 16 April and 5/6 May 2023
