Italy (Liguria) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

Introduction

This list is based on the timetable in force from 15 December 2024. Although the timetable is shown as valid until 14 June 2025, most long-distance services are shown as operating only for a couple of months. 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

Savona – San Giuseppe di Cairo

[144] (ERA-E 81A3; ERA-R 155C3; S+W 44B2-44C2) IT25/61

There are two separate routes between Savona and San Giuseppe di Cairo, via Ferrania and via Altare. Most trains non-stop from Savona to San Giuseppe di Cairo run via Ferrania whereas most trains non-stop from San Giuseppe di Cairo to Savona run via Altare. These arrangements may vary in practice.

Arquata Scrivia – Ronco Scrivia – Genova Piazza Principe or Genova Sampierdarena

[26, 30] (ERA-E 81A3; ERA-R 156A4; S+W 32D4-45A2) IT25/62

There are two railways between Genova and Arquata Scrivia, the original line to the east (Linea vecchia dei Giovi) and a newer fast line, largely in tunnels, to the west (Linea succursale dei Giovi). There are connections between the two lines at both ends and in Ronco Scrivia. There is also a diveunder in Arquata Scrivia which is typically used by trains departing from lower numbered platforms (platforms numbered 4 or lower) and headed towards the Linea vecchia. Trains non-stop between Genova Piazza Principe and Arquata Scrivia, or stopping only at Ronco Scrivia, normally use the Linea succursale, while stopping trains use the Linea vecchia.

The following trains are scheduled to use the Linea vecchia between Arquata Scrivia and Ronco Scrivia, where they use the crossovers to the Linea succursale north of the station. Train IC519 is scheduled to use this connection to let another fast train past. However travellers in early 2022 and March 2023 both reported that IC519 ran on the Linea succursale throughout, so it appears that this routing is unreliable at best. Further reports on the routing of these trains would be welcomed by the compilers.

	SO	IC1549	Milano Centrale – 10:16 Voghera – Savona
		IC519	Bardonecchia/Torino Porta Nuova – 19:16 Novi Ligure – Genova Brignole
D1	SuO	RV2108	Genova Brignole – 19:37 Ronco Scrivia – Torino Porta Nuova

D1: 6 April - 14 September

The line connecting the Linea succursale and Linea vecchia south of Ronco Scrivia is not normally used by passenger trains and very rarely for engineering work diversions. It is typically used used by an annual excursion in late September/early October from Genova to Ronco Scrivia. In 2024 the excursion ran on 5 October, departing Genova Brignole at 09:30 and Borgo Fornari, the last useful stop before the unusual route, at 10:58; the return left Ronco Scrivia at 18:39. This excursion is promoted by Fondazione FS.

Genova Bolzaneto (Bivio Rivarolo) – Genova Piazza Principe (Bivio Bersaglio)

[30, M45] (ERA-E 81C3; ERA-R 156A1; S+W 143A3) IT25/63

This spur enables trains using the Linea vecchia from Ronco Scrivia to join the Linea succursale and run directly to and from Genova Piazza Principe via the Granarolo tunnel, bypassing Genova Sampierdarena.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

Previously used only for diversions, it gained daily passenger services in June 2021.

It is also used by the following trains.

		R2078	Genova Brignole – 11:25 Genova Piazza Principe – Piacenza
		R2090	Genova Brignole – 17:14 Genova Piazza Principe – Rimini
	SSuO	RV3079	Imperia – 17:34 Genova Piazza Principe – Milano Centrale

Ronco Scrivia (Bivio/P.C. Fegino) – Genova Sampierdarena (Bivio Polcevera)

[26, 30] (ERA-E 81A3, not shown; ERA-R 156A1; S+W 143A2) IT25/64

There are two routes into Genova from the Linea succursale dei Giovi from Arquata Scrivia. The main line runs direct to Genova Piazza Principe through the Granarolo tunnel, this route is an alternative joining the line from Ovada at Bivio Polcevera and continuing to Genova Sampierdarena.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

Trains via route IT25/66 (below) normally run this way, when not routed via the Linea vecchia dei Giovi or reversing in Genova Piazza Principe. These trains diverge towards Genova Cornigliano before reaching Genova Sampierdarena.

D1	SSuO	RV3090	Bergamo – 08:06 Voghera – Ventimiglia
D1	SSuO	RV3085	Gallarate – 10:07 Tortona – Ventimiglia
D1	SSuO	RV3093	Ventimiglia – 20:38 Arenzano – Bergamo

D1: 29 March - 28 September

Ronco Scrivia (Genova Sampierdarena Smistamento) – Genova Cornigliano (Deviatoio via Curva)

[25, 26] (ERA-E 81C3; ERA-R 156A1; S+W 143A3) IT25/66

This route comprises a line through Genova Sampierdarena Smistamento and a north to west curve avoiding Genova Sampierdarena passenger station. It is used by trains between Arquata Scrivia and Savona, if not booked to call at Genova Piazza Principe.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

D1	SSuO	R3001	Milano Porta Garibaldi – 07:07 Tortona – Taggia Arma
D2	SSuO	RV3090	Bergamo – 08:06 Voghera – Ventimiglia
D2	SSuO	RV3085	Gallarate – 10:07 Tortona – Ventimiglia
D1	SSuO	RV3087	Ventimiglia – 18:47/19:23 Arenzano – Gallarate
D1	SSuO	R3003	Taggia Arma – 20:13 Arenzano – Saronno
D1	SSuO	RV3093	Ventimiglia – 20:38 Arenzano – Bergamo

D1: 29 March - 28 September

Genova Brignole (Bivio Traversata) – Genova Sampierdarena

[M45] (ERA-E 81C3; ERA-R 156B1-156A1; S+W 143A3-143C4) IT25/67

In addition to the main line between Genova Brignole and Genova Sampierdarena (which includes two separate double-track tunnels between Genova Brignole and Genova Piazza Principe), there are separate tracks at lower level via the former Genova Marittima Santa Limbania station. The low-level line is used by trains booked to use the sotterranea (underground) platforms 1 and 2 at Genova Piazza Principe and to pass through or call at Genova Via di Francia station. There are usually two to four trains each way hourly.

Currently, this route is only used by westbound trains, because of long-running construction work.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

Casella Deposito (Ferrovia Genova Casella)

(ERA-E 81A4; ERA-R 156B2; S+W 45A1) IT25/68

Trains to and from Casella Paese mostly reverse at the junction points at Casella Deposito. Those attaching or detaching carriages have been known to run into the depot.

Riomaggiore – La Spezia Centrale

[31] (ERA-E 81B4; ERA-R 156C3; S+W 46A4) IT25/69

There are two different routes between Riomaggiore and La Spezia Centrale, both being reversibly-signalled single tracks. Trains generally observe left-hand running, as is usual in Italy. Accordingly, southbound trains normally use the inland route via the longer tunnel, whereas northbound trains run through the shorter tunnel and then follow the coast.

Routes used occasionally for diversions

Bretella Voltri-Borzoli: Genova Voltri (G.S. Genova Voltri) – Genova Costa di Sestri Ponente (Deviatoio estremo Genova Borzoli)

[121, M45] (ERA-R 156A1) IT25/70

This line, opened in 1997, directly connects the freight terminal in Genova Voltri and the line to Ovada. The line is mostly in a tunnel. In the future, part of this line will be used for a new line between Genova Voltri and Genova Sampierdarena.

It is very rarely used for diversions. Two train pairs were scheduled on this route in August 2024, due to the closure of the line between Genova Borzoli and Genova Sampierdarena.