Italy (Piemonte) - 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

Bussoleno – Salbertrand

[10] (ERA-E 80C1; ERA-R 151A1; S+W 18B4-18C4) IT25/51

There are two different routes between Bussoleno and Salbertrand, both being reversibly-signalled single tracks which meet only at the intermediate stations (Meana, Chiomonte, and Exilles). Trains generally observe left-hand running, as is usual in Italy. Accordingly, trains from Bardonecchia towards Torino normally use the northern track, which runs along the mountainside and through a series of short tunnels, while trains climbing towards Bardonecchia use the southern track, which runs through longer tunnels and curves deep into the mountains, with an easier and regular gradient. However, since both tracks are reversibly signalled, trains may use the opposite line from normal. A traveller in September 2024 advised the two routes were being used as normal just for the most eastern pair of tunnels, for all others only the southern track was in use, which may be related to the reduced levels of traffic following the long term closure further towards the border.

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

[10, ERT 44] (ERA-E 80C2; ERA-R 155C1; S+W 120B2) IT25/52

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 reservations can be made in person is Milano Porta Garibaldi. Trenitalia commenced their own Frecciarossa service on 18 December 2021.

The railway between Modane and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne was closed from 27 August 2023 to 31 March 2025, due to a landslide. All international trains between Italy and Paris ceased immediately; through SNCF services resumed on 31 March and Trenitalia ones on 1 April.

D3		TGV9243	Paris Gare de Lyon – 11:25 Oulx-Cesana-Claviere-Sestriere – Milano Porta Garibaldi
D5		FR9281	Paris Gare de Lyon – 11:56 Oulx-Cesana-Claviere-Sestriere – Milano Centrale
D4		FR9281	Paris Gare de Lyon – 12:36 Oulx-Cesana-Claviere-Sestriere – Milano Centrale
D1	FSSuO	FR9323	Bardonecchia – 13:51 Oulx-Cesana-Claviere-Sestriere – Roma Termini
D6		TGV9247	Paris Gare de Lyon – 14:25 Oulx-Cesana-Claviere-Sestriere – Milano Porta Garibaldi
D2		TGV9255	Paris Gare de Lyon – 19:25 Oulx-Cesana-Claviere-Sestriere – Milano Porta Garibaldi
D2		FR9287	Paris Gare de Lyon – 20:34 Oulx-Cesana-Claviere-Sestriere – Milano Centrale
D7		FR9292	Milano Centrale – 07:11 Torino Porta Susa – Paris Gare de Lyon
D8		TGV9242	Milano Porta Garibaldi – 07:36 Torino Porta Susa – Paris Gare de Lyon
D9		FR9292	Milano Centrale – 08:12 Torino Porta Susa – Paris Gare de Lyon
D1	FSSuO	FR9508	Roma Termini – 10:55 Torino Porta Susa – Bardonecchia
D2		TGV9246	Milano Porta Garibaldi – 13:41 Torino Porta Susa – Paris Gare de Lyon
D2		FR9296	Milano Centrale – 16:40 Torino Porta Susa – Paris Gare de Lyon
D2		TGV9250	Milano Porta Garibaldi – 17:38 Torino Porta Susa – Paris Gare de Lyon

D1: 15 December - 30 March

D2: Not 1-3 May, 9-11 May

D3: Not 1-4 May, 9-11 May

D4: Not 1-4 May, then until 8 May, also 17-18 May, 24-25 May, 29 May - 1 June, 7-9 June, 14 June

D5: From 12 May except 17-18 May, 24-25 May, 29 May - 1 June, 7-9 June, 14 June

D6: Not 1-3 May, 8-11 May

D7: Not 5-6 and 12-13 April; also not 1-4 May, 9-11 May, 30 May

D8: Not 1-4 May, 9-11 May, 17 May

D9: 5-6 and 12-13 April

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

[11] (ERA-R 151B1-152B1; S+W 31B1-21B3) IT25/53

The Linea AV/AC (high-speed line) between Torino and Milano is used by high-speed trains with no intermediate stops between Torino Porta Susa and Rho-Fiera Milano. 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 scheduled passenger use of the two 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) IT25/54

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.

Castagnole delle Lanze – Nizza Monferrato

(ERA-R 155C4-155C5; S+W 32A3-B3) IT25/55

Regular passenger service over this branch line ceased in 2012, but tourist trains operate from 2018. Some excursions run on this line, further details form TrEno LMR.