Italy (Lombardia) - 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

Busto Arsizio FS – Busto Arsizio Nord FN

[165] (ERA-E 81C1; ERA-R 150B2; S+W 127C4) IT25/01

This north to west curve came into use on 11 September 2011. It is used by hourly S50 trains between Bellinzona or Biasca and Malpensa Aeroporto.

Monza – Sesto S. Giovanni

[27, 171, 172, 180, M11] (ERA-E 81C2, not shown; ERA-R 150C4; S+W 131B1-131B2) IT25/02

The lines from Como (“Linea Chiasso”) and from Lecco (“Linea Lecco”) run parallel between Monza and Milano Greco Pirelli. The Linea Chiasso dives under the Linea Lecco south of Monza. In general, trains between Chiasso and Milano Centrale follow the Linea Chiasso through the diveunder, whilst those between Lecco and Milano Porta Garibaldi use the flyover.

Sesto S. Giovanni – Milano Greco Pirelli

[27, 171, 172, 180, M11] (ERA-E 81C2, not shown; ERA-R 150C4; S+W 133A1-133B1) IT25/03

The main line from Monza to Milano passes to the west of the locomotive maintenance depot north of Milano Greco Pirelli, but a double track line branches south of Sesto S. Giovanni and runs east of the depot and into the higher-numbered platforms in Greco Pirelli.

The line east of the depot is used by trains between Sesto S. Giovanni and platforms numbered 7 or higher at Greco Pirelli. More specific details are available from departure and arrival sheets at Milano Greco Pirelli station, services noted to use this route are most S9 local trains (from/to Saronno via Seregno half-hourly) both southbound and northbound.

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Milano Bovisa Politecnico – Milano Lancetti

[401, 402, M9] (ERA-E 81C2, not shown; ERA-R 150C3; S+W 132D2) IT25/04

There are two routes between Milano Lancetti, on the “Passante” line, and Milano Bovisa Politecnico. Trains to and from stations on the Seveso line run direct between Milano Lancetti and platforms 7 and 8 on the east side of Milano Bovisa Politecnico station. Those to and from Saronno run via a tunnel below the line from Milano Cadorna and use platforms 1 and 2 on the west side of Milano Bovisa Politecnico station. Trains starting and terminating at Milano Bovisa Politecnico normally use the first route and platforms 7 and 8.

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Rho – Milano Certosa

[11, 40, 160, 165, M10] (ERA-E 81C1-C2, not shown; ERA-R 150C3; S+W 132A1) IT25/05

The lines from Domodossola (“Linea Varese”) and from Torino (“Linea Novara”) run parallel between Milano Certosa and Rho. The Linea Varese dives under the Linea Novara between Rho and Rho-Fiera Milano. Typically, suburban trains going to the “Passante” (S5 and S6 to/from Varese and Novara respectively) use the Linea Varese, all other trains from Torino use the Linea Novara, and the majority of regional trains from Gallarate use the Linea Novara, but various crossovers allow exceptions.

The urban section of the Linea AV/AC Torino – Milano runs parallel to both the Linea Varese and Linea Novara between Rho-Fiera Milano and Milano Certosa. A connection from the Linea Novara joins the AV west of Rho-Fiera Milano. This connection can be used by regional trains to Milano Centrale, those scheduled to use it can be recognised on the arrival and departure sheets at Rho-Fiera Milano as using platform 6, though usage varies in practice.

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Milano Centrale – Milano Lambrate (P.M. Turro, Linea Venezia)

[12, 185, M10] (ERA-E 81C2, not shown; ERA-R 150C3-150C4; S+W 133A2 not shown) IT25/06

This line, opened in 2010, provides an alternative route between Milano Centrale and Milano Lambrate. It passes to the west of the carriage sidings (shown as 'OMV' in the Atlante ferroviario d'Italia), diverges from the line to Milano Greco Pirelli and crosses over the top of the 'balloon loop' running north of the carriage sidings. It is typically used by trains to/from Pioltello, such as regional trains to/from Bergamo and Verona and Frecce/Italo trains to/from Venezia.

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Milano Centrale (P.M. Turro) – Milano Porta Garibaldi (Bivio Mirabello)

[M14] (ERA-E 81C2, not shown; ERA-R 150C3; S+W 133A2 not shown) IT25/07

This line, nicknamed the 'umbrella handle' and opened in 2010, provides a route between Milano Centrale and Milano Porta Garibaldi. It runs on the west side of the line to Milano Greco Pirelli and connects with the direct line between Milano Porta Garibaldi and Milano Lambrate. Together with IT25/08 (below), it is used by the half-hourly trains between Milano Centrale and Malpensa Aeroporto via Milano Porta Garibaldi.

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Milano Porta Garibaldi (P.M. Ghisolfa) – Milano Bovisa Politecnico

[M14] (ERA-E 81C2, not shown; ERA-R 150C3; S+W 132D2 not shown) IT25/08

This connection, probably opened in 2010, links the FS line west of Milano Porta Garibaldi and the FNM line south of Milano Bovisa. Together with route IT25/07 (above) it is used by the half-hourly trains between Milano Centrale and Malpensa Aeroporto via Milano Porta Garibaldi.

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Milano Porta Garibaldi (Bivio Mirabello) – Milano Lambrate (P.M. Turro)

[1, 3, M8] (ERA-E 81C2, not shown; ERA-R 150C3-150C4; S+W 132C1) IT25/09

There are two routes between Milano Porta Garibaldi and Milano Lambrate. Most regional trains run via Villapizzone – Bivio Musocco, around the north side of Milano. Trains using the west-facing terminal platforms, 1 to 12, are obliged to run via Bivio Musocco as are those calling at Villapizzone.

This route provides a shorter alternative, being a direct connection between the lines Milano Porta Garibaldi – Milano Greco Pirelli and Bivio Musocco – Milano Lambrate, and enables trains via Milano Lambrate to arrive and depart at the through platforms of Milano Porta Garibaldi. For this reason this route is used by all high speed trains to/from Torino calling at Milano Porta Garibaldi and continuing east towards Brescia/Venezia and south towards Bologna/Roma.

This route is also used by the following regional trains.

		S24915	05:18 Milano Porta Garibaldi – Albairate-Vermezzo
		S24917	05:48 Milano Porta Garibaldi – Albairate-Vermezzo
D1	SSuO	R3001	Saronno – 05:56 Milano Porta Garibaldi – Taggia Arma
		S24919	06:18 Milano Porta Garibaldi – Albairate-Vermezzo
		R2691/2693	06:43 Milano Porta Garibaldi – Bolzano/Bozen
	SuO	R2655	07:43 Milano Porta Garibaldi – Verona
D1	SSuO	RV3085	Gallarate – 09:00 Milano Porta Garibaldi – Ventimiglia
	SSuO	R2680	Verona Porta Nuova – 19:12 Milano Lambrate – Milano Porta Garibaldi
D1	SSuO	RV3096	La Spezia Centrale – 20:47 Milano Lambrate – Milano Porta Garibaldi
D2	SSuO	RV3087	Ventimiglia – 21:18/22:11 Milano Lambrate – Gallarate
	SuO	R2686	Verona Porta Nuova – 22:04 Milano Lambrate – Milano Porta Garibaldi
D1	SSuO	R3004	Taggia Arma – 22:37 Milano Lambrate – Saronno
		S24984	Albairate – 22:56 Milano Lambrate – Milano Porta Garibaldi

D1: 29 March - 28 September

D2: Departs Milano Lambrate at 21:18 from 29 March to 30 May, at 22:11 from 1 June to 28 September

Milano Porta Garibaldi (P.M. Ghisolfa) – Bivio Musocco – Triplo Bivio Seveso – Milano Greco Pirelli

[M8] (ERA-E 81C2, not shown; ERA-R 150C3; S+W 132C1-133A2) IT25/10

Almost all trains between Milano Porta Garibaldi and Milano Greco Pirelli run direct via Bivio Mirabello. This route around the north side of Milano parallels the Milano Centrale – Rho main line between Bivio Musocco and Triplo Bivio Seveso and is common with the route from Milano Porta Garibaldi to Milano Lambrate via Villapizzone – Bivio Musocco between Milano Porta Garibaldi and Triplo Bivio Seveso. It enables trains via Milano Greco Pirelli to arrive and depart at the west end of Milano Porta Garibaldi. Trains using the west-facing terminal platforms, 1 to 12, are obliged to run via this route as are those calling at Villapizzone.

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		S24914	05:14 Milano Porta Garibaldi – Saronno
		S24916	05:44 Milano Porta Garibaldi – Saronno
		S24918	06:14 Milano Porta Garibaldi – Saronno

Milano Lambrate – Pioltello-Limito (via Milano Smistamento)

[12, 185, M10] (ERA-E 81C2, not shown; ERA-R 150C4; S+W 133B3) IT25/11

There are two routes between Milano Lambrate and the main line towards Treviglio and Brescia. Most trains use the direct quadruple-track route starting from platforms 5 to 8 in Milano Lambrate. Others, particularly trains to/from Milano Greco Pirelli or Milano Porta Garibaldi, use the alternative route, which starts at platforms 1 to 4, passes to the east of the sidings south of Lambrate, then dives under the direct route, merges with route IT25/13 and runs alongside Milano Smistamento (marshalling yard) before rejoining the direct line west of Pioltello-Limito. Use of this route may depend on line occupation and punctuality, as crossovers south of Lambrate provide an alternative.

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Milano Lambrate – Milano Rogoredo (via P.M. Trecca)

[26, 45, M8] (ERA-E 81C2, not shown; ERA-R 150C4; S+W 133B3) IT25/12

There are two routes between Milano Lambrate and Milano Rogoredo. Most trains use the quadruple-track main line, but there is an alternative, the Linea Cintura, via a diveunder from the east side of the layout at Lambrate (platforms 1 to 4). Trains taking 5-8 minutes between Lambrate and Rogoredo are scheduled on the main line, those taking 11-15 are likely to use this route, although crossovers in both stations provide an alternative. It is the booked route for hourly trains between Milano Greco Pirelli and either the Piacenza or Pavia/Stradella lines. In addition, the small number of peak hour trains from/to Porta Garibaldi are also likely to use this route.

Note that there are two double-track lines between Posto di Movimento Trecca and Milano Rogoredo, one goes directly to Rogoredo platforms 3-4 and is used by all trains going further than Rogoredo, the other line flies over the “Passante” lies and terminates in the bay platforms in Rogoredo. This second line is used by the few trains between Milano Lambrate and Milano Rogoredo originating/terminating in Rogoredo:

• From Milano Lambrate: R2855 08:15, R2863 12:15 SSuX;
• From Milano Rogoredo: R2858 09:36, R2868 14:36 SSuX, 'R2876 19:36 SuX.

The line via Posto di Movimento Trecca provides the only route between Milano Lambrate and Milano Porta Romana, so it is used by all trains between those two stations. These diverge from the route to Milano Rogoredo south of Posto di Movimento Trecca.

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Milano Rogoredo (P.M. Trecca) – Pioltello-Limito (via Milano Smistamento)

[D, 185] (ERA-E 81C2, not shown; ERA-R 150C4; S+W 133B3-133D3) IT25/13

This route is used by trains between the Brescia and Bologna or Genova lines if not booked to call at any station in Milano except Milano Rogoredo. From Posto di Movimento Trecca it passes under the main line to Milano Lambrate, merges with route IT25/11 and runs along the north side of Milano Smistamento. The frequent trains between Pioltello-Limito and Milano Porta Vittoria use a different route, via Segrate and Bivio Lambro.

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		EN233	Wien Hbf/München Hbf – 01:34 Villach Hbf – La Spezia Centrale
D1	SSuO	RV3090	Bergamo – 06:48 Treviglio Ovest – Ventimiglia
		EN235	La Spezia Centrale – 20:47/21:26 Milano Rogoredo – Wien Hbf/München Hbf
D1	SSuO	RV3093	Ventimiglia – 22:41/51 Milano Rogoredo – Bergamo

EN233 and EN235 stop in Italy only to set down/pick up respectively

D1: 29 March - 20 July and 30 August - 28 September

Pioltello-Limito – Treviglio – Brescia

[12, 185, M10] (ERA-E 80C4-C5; ERA-R 150C4-152C1; S+W 21C3-21D3) IT25/14

The high-speed line between Milano and Brescia is in two parts. The section between Pioltello-Limito and Treviglio is a Direttissima electrified at 3 kV dc and can be used by any train. From Bivio Casirate (west of Treviglio) to near Brescia is a Linea AV/AC electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz and only used by high-speed trains, the other trains branch off to the old line using the grade-separated junction at Bivio Casirate.

Most of the way to Treviglio the Direttissima runs close to the old main line, the Linea Lenta, but diverges east of Melzo, bypassing Trecella and Cassano d’Adda. This section is used by most trains not stopping between Treviglio and Pioltello-Limito or Milano Lambrate. A few trains are booked to run non-stop via the Linea Lenta and can be distinguished by a vertical bar "|" at the intermediate stations in the timetable column. Trains to or from Bergamo typically run via the Direttissima and use a connecting line from the Linea Lenta at Posto di Movimento/Bivio Adda, west of Treviglio.

There are crossovers between the Linea Lenta and the Direttissima between Vignate and Melzo, principally to allow access to Melzo Scalo freight terminal. The crossover west of Melzo Scalo (east of Vignate) is scheduled to be used by the following trains, all from Treviglio Ovest: R2206 07:58 SSuX, R2260 08:58 SSuX, R2278 17:58, R2280 18:58 SSuX, R2282 19:58 SSuX. The crossover east of Melzo Scalo (west of Melzo) is scheduled to be used by R2246 from Verdello-Dalmine at 22:16.

There are also crossovers between the Linea AV/AC and the old main line west of Brescia, which also allow access to Brescia Scalo freight yard and the platforms numbered 12 or higher in Brescia, used by trains towards Parma and Cremona. There is no scheduled passenger use of these crossovers.

Milano Rogoredo – Tavazzano

[45] (ERA-E 80C4; ERA-R 152B1; S+W 21B3-21C4) IT25/15

The first section of the Milano – Bologna high speed line, between Milano Rogoredo and Bivio/PC Melegnano is electrified at 3000 V dc and can be used by any train. For most of the way it runs to the southwest of the old main line, the Linea Tradizionale. Many trains non-stop between Milano and Lodi run via the high speed line, but a significant number use the Linea Tradizionale. These can be identified in the timetable by the presence of a vertical bar '|' in the timing column against all the intermediate stations. Trains to Lodi via the high speed line use the connection from Bivio/PC Melegnano (where the high speed line continues southwards, and is electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz from there) to Tavazzano. There are grade-separated junctions at both ends, in Milano Rogoredo and Bivio/PC Melegnano – Tavazzano

Palazzolo sull'Oglio – Paratico Sarnico

(ERA-E 80B5; ERA-R 152C2; S+W 134A2-134B1) IT25/16

There are excursions over this branch line, mainly during the summer, but the regular summer weekend service no longer operates. For further details see the Ferrovie Turistiche Italiane website, where excursions on this line are usually marketed as Sebino Express.

Torino Stura – Rho-Fiera Milano (Linea AV/AC)

See details under Piemonte region.

Bivio Piacenza Ovest – Piacenza (P.M. Piacenza Ovest)

This link between the Milano – Bologna Linea AV/AC and the Linea Tradizionale is in Lombardia, but is listed under Emilia Romagna region in order to be grouped with the other connections between these lines.

Routes used occasionally for diversions

Sesto Calende avoiding line: Vergiate – Taino-Angera

[160] (ERA-R 150B1; S+W 126C2) IT25/19

This curve allows trains to run between Gallarate and Laveno Mombello via Ispra without reversing at Sesto Calende, and is sometimes used for diversions when the direct line between Gallarate and Laveno Mombello is closed. Note that any train using this curve runs on the line between Laveno-Mombello and Sesto Calende, which has no regular passenger service since December 2013.

Milano Porta Romana – Milano Rogoredo

[M8] (ERA-E 81C2; ERA-R 150C3-150C4); S+W133B4) IT25/20

This west to south curve allows trains from Milano Porta Romana to go to Milano Rogoredo and, if necessary, continue south. It has lost service around 2011-2012, and is sometimes used for diversions of S9 trains when the line between Milano Porta Romana and Milano Lambrate is closed.