Italy (Piemonte) - 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

Bussoleno – Salbertrand

[10] (ERA-E 80C1; ERA-R 151A1; S+W 18B4-18C4) IT24/51

There are two separate single-track lines between Bussoleno and Salbertrand. One runs along the mountainside and through a series of short tunnels. This is normally used by trains from Bardonecchia towards Torino. The other runs through longer tunnels, which curve deep into the mountains. This gives an easier gradient for trains climbing towards Bardonecchia. However, both tracks are reversibly signalled and trains may use the opposite line from normal.

Collegno (Torino S Paolo) – Torino Porta Susa (Bivio Crocetta)

[10] (ERA-E 80C2; ERA-R 155C1; S+W 120B2) IT24/52

This west to north curve is used by trains between the Modane and Milano lines, if not booked to call at Torino Porta Nuova. SNCF TGV services are not shown in the Trenitalia timetable but can be found in table 44 of the European Rail Timetable. Reservations are obligatory and can be made online, the only station in Italy where this can be done is Milano Porta Garibaldi. Note that trains from Paris stop at Bardonecchia and Oulx-Claviere-Sestriere only to set down passengers. Trenitalia commenced their own Frecciarossa service on 18 December 2021.

The railway between Modane and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne has been closed since 27 August 2023 due to a landslide and should reopen in late 2024. For this reason, all international trains between Italy and Paris stopped operations. From 10 January 2024, SNCF TGV trains are resuming via this route, with the international section having a bus service between Oulx and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. The same note above applies: SNCF does not sell tickets for routes within Italy, so the stop in Oulx is only for passenger getting on and off the bus.

	FSSuO	FR9325	Bardonecchia – 14:51 Oulx-Cesana-Claviere-Sestriere – Napoli Centrale
D1		TGV9249	20:52 Oulx-Cesana-Claviere-Sestriere – Milano Porta Garibaldi
	FSSuO	FR9304	Napoli Centrale – 12:10 Torino Porta Susa – Bardonecchia
D1		TGV9248	Milano Porta Garibaldi – 15:41 Torino Porta Susa – Oulx-Cesana-Claviere-Sestriere

D1: From 10 January

Torino Stura – Rho Fiera (Linea AV/AC)

[11] (ERA-R 151B1-152B1; S+W 31B1-21B3) IT24/53

The Linea AV/AC (high-speed line) between Torino and Milano is used by high-speed trains not making intermediate stops between Torino Porta Susa and Rho Fiera. TGV services between Milano and Paris run via the old main line because the trains are not equipped to operate on the Linea AV/AC.

There is no passenger use of the intermediate connections between the old main line and the Linea AV/AC.

Ceva – Ormea

(ERA-E 81A2; ERA-R 155C4-155B3; S+W 41D2-41C3) IT24/54

The regular passenger service over this branch line ceased in 2012, but tourist trains operate from 2016. There is usually at least an annual excursion on 8 December running the full length of the branch. Further details from VIC Tour Operator. Advance reservation is usually necessary.