Good afternoon everybody. Today I want to suggest you a route that represents a great classic in my country: the Milan-Como-Chiasso International Railway. The essential railway link between Italy and Switzerland. It's a primary line, between the center of Milan and Swiss border, located in Chiasso. Passing through the city of Como, until you reach Monza. A route that combines the rural landscape with the urban one: from the mountains overlooking Lake Como, descending into the north-eastern suburbs of Milan, reaching the city of Monza. From here, through a section common to other lines, it's possible to reach the Terminals of Milan Centrale and Milan Porta Garibaldi. An exciting and challenging journey between Switzerland and Italy, managing the Suburban services of Trenord, RegioExpress services of Tilo and the famous Eurocities of SBB/FFS- Trenitalia! Without forgetting the intense freight traffic that characterizes this line! This is the Milan-Chiasso International Railway! PS. I know this is a route that has been requested several times, so I wanted to suggest it too! GENERAL FEATURES The route in question features: - 51km/31.6mi of main tracks. - 10km/6,2mi of connection to the Milan Smistamento freight complex and Segrate Intermodal Terminal. - 5km/3mi of link Milan Centrale-Porta Garibaldi - Direct connection with the Trenord/NTV Italo “San Rocco” depot, located in the Farini area (in front of Porta Garibaldi Terminal). Total: 66km/41mi. The line is served by: - Double track, between Chiasso and Monza. - 4 tracks, between Monza and Milan Centrale. - 6/8 tracks on the Milan belt Line (Towards Milan Lambrate), including the high-speed connection to Turin and Bologna . - 4 tracks, along the straight section that runs alongside Milano Smistamento freight complex. - Double track , on Milan Centrale-Porta Garibaldi Link (partially underground). - 7 tracks, between the Porta Garibaldi Terminal and San Rocco depot. All standard gauge - 1435 mm/4 ft 8+1⁄2 in, electrified 3kV DC OHLE (the standard voltage of all ordinary Italian networks). Only the section leaving Chiasso SBB (towards Luzern) is powered by 15kV AC OHLE. The entire path is equipped with Automatic Signal Repeat, ACC (Central Computerized Apparatus), which supports both SCMT and ETCS-ERTMS. On Swiss side of Chiasso SBB there's ADL system support. On the Monte Olimpino 2 variant (new) there's ETCS L2 support, up to Desio station. While on the old route (Monte Olimpino 1), via Como, there's ETCS L1 support. The maximum gradient of this route reaches 3%(30x1000), On Chiasso--->Como section. The maximum permitted speed reaches 150km/h(93mph), even if for most of the route it doesn't exceed 90-110km/h(56-68mph). The line is managed by RFI (Italian Railway Network), as regards the infrastructure. The passenger service is operated by: - Trenord s.r.l , Suburban/RegioExpress services - Trenitalia s.p.a, Eurocity services - Tilo S.A., RegioExpress/Cross-border Express services (joint venture Trenord-SBB/FFS) - SBB/FFS S.A., Eurocity services The freight service is operated by: - Mercitalia Rail s.p.a (Trenitalia freight division) - DB Cargo Italy s.r.l. - SBB Cargo International S.A./AG (SBB/FFS freight division) And many other private companies, like BLS Cargo and RailCargo. The shunting service is operated by: - Mercitalia Shunting&Terminal s.r.l. (Milan Smistamento) - SBB Cargo International S.A./AG (Chiasso) ROUTE AND STATIONS This Route has a total of 15 stations/stops. Plus two additional stations, one on the Belt Line, and one on the Milan-Venice Main Line (in front of Milan Smistamento). The calls are, as follows: Milan-Como-Chiasso - Chiasso SBB,Northern terminal of the line, equipped with 4 freight yards, plus an integrated customs structure and sidings for passenger convoys recovery. Km51* Integrated, switchable neutral section (15kV AC<--->3kV DC). ---> Via Monte Olimpino 1 (old line) ---> Como San Giovanni ---> Via Monte Olimpino 2 (new variant) ---> Cucciago - Como San Giovanni RFI, First station on Italian territory, equipped with a terminal platform for the R18 Line (Como-Molteno-Lecco). Km47* - Como Camerlata, opened in 2021, when it was decided to unify the stops on the RFI Milan-Chiasso Line and on the FN Saronno-Como Lago one. The two stations, however, have separate structures. It replaces the old Albate-Camerlata station. Km43* Albate technical stop (maintenance and emergencies). No passenger traffic. - Cucciago, Km37* - Cantù-Cermenate, Km34* - Carimate, Km32* - Camnago-Lentate RFI/FN, station divided into two distinct areas: the RFI area, on the Milan-Chiasso line and the FN one (Trenord), terminal of the Seveso-Lentate branch (Milan-Asso FN Line). Km27* Access to the Camnago Trenord depot (suburban). - Seregno, station shared between the Milan-Chiasso, Seregno-Bergamo and Saronno-Seregno lines. It hosts both services of this route and suburban ones of Trenord (S9). Km22* - Desio, Km18* - Lissone-Muggiò, Km16* Monza Gallery. - Monza RFI, station shared between this, Lecco-Milan and Monza-Molteno-Lecco lines. Km12* - Sesto San Giovanni, station under renovation. It will be completely rebuilt by the end of the year. However, traffic continues regularly. Km7* Milan Centrale Locomotive depot (Trenitalia). - Milano Greco Pirelli, Used as terminus of many Trenord suburban services. Its renovation is scheduled. Km3* IMC Milano Martesana (Trenitalia maintenance shops for Eurocity, Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca and Intercity convoys). ---> To Milano Centrale RFI ---> To Milano Porta Garibaldi RFI - Milano Centrale RFI, Southern Terminal of the line, as regards the Eurocity and Tilo Services. One of the largest stations in the country, shared between several operators (Trenitalia, Trenord, Tilo, NTV Italo and SBB/FFS). It has its own Sidings depot, right in front of it (Squadra Rialzo Milano Centrale). Km0* - Milano Porta Garibaldi RFI, Additional terminal of the route, reachable from a partially underground link (from Milan Centrale). It's the largest station in Milan by passenger traffic. It's divided into three main areas: underground, go-through (in use with this route) and terminal (Regional/Suburban Trenord and Trenitalia services). It's shared between several operators: Trenord, Trenitalia, NTV Italo and TGV Sncf. It has its own depot, located in front of it (San Rocco), managed by Trenord, Italo and TGV. Km+5* Milan Belt Line - Milano Lambrate, Km4** Milano Smistamento Freight Locomotive depot (Mercitalia Rail) Milano Smistamento freight complex, with related Sergrate Intermodal terminal. Milan-Venice Main Line - Segrate, Km10** * Distance from route origin, Milano Centrale (km0). ** Distance from route origin, Milano Centrale (km0). Depots: - Milano Martesana (Trenitalia-SBB/FFS) - Milano San Rocco (Trenord, Italo and TGV) - Camnago (Trenord) - Milano Centrale Locomotive (Trenitalia) - Milano Smistamento Locomotive (Mercitalia Rail) CHIASSO NEUTRAL SECTION Unlike all the other Italian cross-borders, the Chiasso one presents a particular technical solution adopted in its neutral section. In fact, it's a Switchable Neutral Section. Every train entering this station, whether from Italy or Switzerland, will encounter a series of section insulators. It will cross them with only the main switch open, but with the pantograph raised. Having arrived at the assigned platform (or at the freight siding) the driver will stop at the red signal. Here, other lights below will tell him to lower the pantograph and change voltage on the on-board system. An automatic control center, acting on the section occupied between the various insulators, changes the voltage from 15kV AC to 3kV DC or vice versa. The lights under the red signal now tell to the driver to raise the pantograph and close the main circuit braker. The signal turns green and the train can continue its journey! ROUTE PLAN Milan terminal area A= To Monza, Como and Chiasso B= To Belt Line and Milan Smistamento freight terminals 1) Milan Centrale main station (Tilo and Eurocity services) 2) Milan Porta Garibaldi main station (Suburban and Regional services) 3) San Rocco depot (Trenord, Italo and TGV) 4) Squadra Rialzo Milan Centrale (Trenord/Trenitalia recovery sidings) 5) IMC Milan Martesana (Trenitalia-SBB/FFS maintenance center) In the left hand box there's the Milan Centrale Locomotive depot (Trenitalia) Milan Smistamento area I= To Belt Line and Milan Centrale II= To Milan-Venice Main Line 1) Milan Lambrate station (on Belt Line) 2) Milan Smistamento Locomotive depot and maintenance shop (Mercitalia Rail) 3) IM Milan Rivoltana (freight wagons maintenance shop) 4) Segrate Intermodal terminal 5) Auxiliary intermodal terminal A) Main freight yard B) Auxiliary freight yard C) Empty freight wagons yard There is also a further abandoned yard, where locomotives no longer in service and waiting for demolition are kept. Chiasso area I= To Como, Monza and Milan II= To Luzern (Gotthardbahn) 1) Chiasso station 2) DB Cargo, Mercitalia Rail and Tilo1 depot sidings A) Main, Swiss freight and Tilo2 yard B) Customs freight yard and sidings C) Auxiliary freight yard, switchable neutral section point for Italy/Switzerland freight consists. D) Main, Italian freight yard PASSENGER SERVICE There are different types of passenger service on this route: A) Trenitalia-SBB/FFS Eurocity (EC) services. - EC Venice-Milan Centrale-Geneva/Basel (via Simplon Railway) AI only, on Milan Centrale station. - EC Genoa/Bologna- Milan Centrale-Zurich/Basel (via Chiasso) - EC Milan Centrale-Zurich-Basel-Frankfurt A.M. (via Chiasso) On train every hour in each direction. B) Tilo RegioExpress (RE) services. - RE80 Locarno-Lugano-Chiasso-Milan centrale One train every hour in each direction. C) Tilo Cross-border Express (S) services. - S10 Biasca-Bellinzona-Lugano-Chiasso-Como San Giovanni One train every 30 minutes in each direction. - S40 Como San Giovanni-Mendrisio-Varese One train every hour in each direction. AI only, Como San Giovanni-Chiasso (possible mini service). D) Trenord Suburban (S) services. - S11 Chiasso-Como San Giovanni-Milano Porta Garibaldi-Rho One train every 30 minutes in each direction. There are also a large number of Trenord's Suburban (S), Regional (R), RegioExpress (RE), Airport Shuttle (MPX) services. There are also numerous Regional (R), Fast Regional (RV), Freccia (Rossa, Bianca, Argento) and Intercity (IC) services of Trenitalia. All these services can be seen AI only on the two main terminals, on Milan Belt Line, on Milan-Venice section and on all other derivations that cross this line (from/to Bergamo etc...). I only remember the S9 service (on Seregno), S4 (on Camnago-Lentate), R18 (Como San Giovanni-Como Camerlata RFI) and RE7/R17 (on Como Camerlata FN). All carried out by Trenord and visible from this line. Some Trenord services could be playable, especially on Belt Line and Milan-Monza sections. NTV Italo and TGV Sncf also see their services featured. (on Milan Porta Garibaldi and Milan Centrale). FREIGHT SERVICE Freight services on this route are normal A-B trips between Chiasso and Milano Smistamento. They can also use both the Milan Belt Line and the Go-through Line to reach Novara, Bologna, Turin, Domodossola (Simplon) Genoa, Verona etc... There are also some small local freight services, both on the Belt Line and to various freight facilities along this one. There's a vehicle terminal on Carimate station. A further cargo terminal (RailCargo) is present near Desio. The type of convoys varies from intermodal, steel, vehicles, gas tankers etc... Please put your LIKE here first, thank you! Continue Below...
ROLLING STOCK The following rolling stock can be seen on this route: PASSENGER - ETR 610 “New Pendolino”/RABe 503 “Astoro” Alstom Electric Tilting Train, for Trenitalia-SBB/FFS Eurocity services Iconic international train, used for Trenitalia-SBB/FFS Italy-Switzerland-Germany Eurocity services. From this EMU was developed Trenitalia's ETR 600, used for internal Frecciarossa services. Number in service: 14 (7 Trenitalia and 7 SBB/FFS specimens) Power supply fitted: AC/DC, 1,5/3kV DC and 15/25kV AC Safety systems: ERTMS/ETCS and SCMT Max speed: 250km/h (155mph) Number of cars: 7 - RABe 501 “Giruno” Stadler SMILE EMU, for SBB/FFS Eurocity services. The latest of SBB/FFS's high-speed EMUs, used for Europe/Switzerland Eurocity connections. It was specifically designed to be used in the long San Gottardo and Ceneri tunnels. Number in service: 29 Power supply fitted: 15/25kV AC and 3kV DC Safety systems: ERTMS/ETCS and SCMT (specimens suitable for traveling to Italy) Max speed: 250km/h (155mph) Number of cars: 11 ETR/RABe 524.0, 524.2, 524.3 TSI Stadler FLIRT EMU, for Tilo RegioExpress and Cross-border Express services. An iconic EMU, which often gets noticed in Switzerland and beyond the Italian border. This is the largest fleet in service on this line. It's used by Tilo for its passenger operations. Number in service: 50+4 (4 ETR524.0 units owned by Trenord and rented to Tilo, 36 RABe524.0/524.2 and 14 RABe524.3 TSI owned by Tilo) Power supply fitted: 15kV AC and 3kV DC Safety systems: ERTMS/ETCS and SCMT Max speed: 160km/h (100mph) Number of cars: - ETR/RABe524.0/524.2: 4 or 6 - RABe524.3 TSI: 6 - ETR 421/521/S1 “Caravaggio” Hitachi Rail EMU, for Trenord Suburban, Regional and RegioExpress services. One of the most recent and modern commuter trains in service in Italy. This is the Trenord version of Trenitalia's "Rock", with some sharing the external shapes. While the interiors are different and with a different layout. It's used by Trenord on this route to carry out S11 service. But it can be widely seen throughout Lombardy and beyond, in the roles mentioned above. The S1 differs from the 521 by the presence of first class. Number in service: 100+ (divided into ETR 421, 521, 521S1) Power supply fitted: 3kV DC only Safety systems: SCMT, SCC and ETCS (521/S1 only) Max Speed: 160km/h (100mph) Number of cars: 5 (4 on 421) - E.464 AdTranz/Bombardier Electric Locomotive + MDVC, MDVC 1st Class, MDVC “Mazinga” Cabcar Coaches, for Trenord Suburban and Regional services. A veteran of passenger service in Lombardy and Italy, with 25 years of life under her belt. It's used together with convoys of 6-8 MDVC carriages. The latter with over 40 years of life. Trenord uses these trains on this route, alternating them with the ETR 521, on S11 service. It's also widely used in the rest of FN and RFI networks. Number in service: 115 (Trenord) Power supply fitted: 3kV DC only Safety systems: SCMT, SCC and ETCS (only a few specimens) Max speed: 160km/h (100mph) Convoy: 1x E.464+5,6,7x MDVC(1x MDVC 1st class)+1x MDVC cabcar Continue Below...
FREIGHT - E.483 Bombardier TRAXX, Re474 (ES64 F4) Siemens EuroSprinter Electric locomotives, for DB Cargo IT and SBB Cargo International services. The E.483 is part of the second generation of TRAXX, produced in the 2010s. It's an excellent multipurpose locomotive, used by DB Cargo IT. The Re474 is part of the EuroSprinter family. Veteran of freight service in this area, with over 20 years under her belt. It's used by SBB Cargo International for internal Swiss and cross-border freight convoys. Number in service: - E.483: 8 - Re474:12 Power supply fitted: - E.483: 1,5/3kV DC - Re474: AC/DC 1,5/3kV DC and 15/25kV AC Safety systems: - E.483: SCMT, SCC and KVB - Re474: ADL, SCMT and ETCS Max speed: - E.483: 140km/h (87mph) - Re474: 140km/h (87mph) - Br/E.193 Siemens Vectron, E.405 ADTranz/Bombardier Electric locomotives, For SBB Cargo International and Mercitalia Rail services. The first is the classic Vectron that we know, widely used by SBB Cargo International for its international freight convoys. The E.405 was one of the first locomotives produced by Bombardier for Italy. In service since 2003. It's used by Mercitalia Rail for the Italian internal freight service. Number in service: - Br 193: 38 (SBB Cargo International) - E.405: 38 (3 on Milan area) Power supply fitted: - Br 193: AC/DC 1,5/3kV DC and 15/25kV AC - E.405: 3kV DC only Safety systems: - Br 193: ADL, SCMT and ETCS - E.405: SCMT, SCC only Max speed: - Br 193: 160km/h (100mph) - E.405: 160km/h (100mph) SHUNTING - Am843 Vossloh Mak G1700 Diesel-hydraulic, Heavy shunting locomotive, for SBB Cargo International services. This powerful diesel-hydraulic locomotive is used by SBB inside freight yards of Chiasso and also as passenger trains shunting unit. It's also responsible for rescue operations in the international section, between Albate and Chiasso. Number in service: 6 (Chiasso) Power Supply: 1x Caterpillar 3512B DI V12 diesel engine Safety systems: ETCS-ERTMS only. Max speed: 100km/h (62mph) - D.744 CZ Loko Effishunter 1000 Diesel-electric, Heavy shunting locomotive, for Mercitalia Shunting&Terminal and FNM (Trenord) services. This modern diesel shunting locomotive is the latest entry to the Italian diesel fleet. It's used by MS&T for freight operations inside its Milano Smistamento complex, while Trenord uses it to handle passenger convoys and small freight operations. Number in service: 2 (MS&T Milan Smistamento), 1 (FNM San Rocco Depot) Power supply: 1x Caterpillar C32 V12 diesel engine Safety systems: SCMT and ETCS only Max speed: 80km/h (50mph) - D.245 2000, 6000 Series CNR, Reggiane, OM Diesel-hydraulic Shunting engine Old and unstoppable maneuvering engine. Widely visible in all yards across Italy. With over 50 years of life (6000 series) and 40 years (2000 series) it remains a very reliable unit. It's used by MS&T and Trenitalia in their yards and plants in Milan area. Number in service: 6 (2x6000, 4x2000 on Milan Smistamento), 4 ( all 6000, on Milan Martesana and Milan Centrale) Power supply: 1x Jenbach JW 600 V12 (6000), Breda ID36 V12 (2000) diesel engines Safety systems: Dead Man only (yes... ) Max speed: 64km/h (40mph) (fast gear), 32km/h (20mph) (shunting gear) Continue Below...
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES STRONG POINTS - The route is long and non-linear - The route involves intersections with multiple subsidiary railways, bringing a large volume of traffic to the Milan area. - Good mix between Eurocity, RegioExpress and Suburban services. - Good number of services during the day. - Presence of freight traffic (night and day) - Presence of two large freight complexes (Chiasso and Milan Smistamento) - Presence of two additional freight areas along the route, with associated (possible) shunting actions. - The ETR 521/S1 can be reused on other routes, such as the Milan-Venice Main Line and the entire Lombardy area. - The ETR 610 can be remodeled into the ETR 600 of Trenitalia, used for Frecciarossa services. - The RABe 501 can be used as layer on many Swiss routes, such as the Gotthardbahn. - The ETR/RABe 524.0 (4 cars variant) is almost identical to the Luzern-Sursee one. - This proposal is closely linked to this one: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/th...aronno-lines-trenord-new-country-italy.82379/ Which I've already proposed previously. One provides layers to the other and vice versa. WEAK POINTS - The Milan Centrale and Porta Garibaldi terminals would see the absence of Trenitalia and NTV Italo services (layers from other routes?) - The Milan Central area is very dense with buildings and complex. Difficult to model and with possible performance issues. - The line is famous for its slow actual travel speed, due to delays and heavy freight traffic. I hope it's not replicated in game! STATIONS Milan-Como-Chiasso Milano Centrale main Terminal Milano Porta Garibaldi main Terminal Milano Greco Pirelli Station The new Sesto San Giovanni Station, as it should appear once works are completed. Monza Station, end of the Milan/Brianza urban area Continue Below...
Como San Giovanni Station, The last/first station on Italian territory Chiasso Station, The northern terminal of the route (Swiss territory) Milan Belt Line Milano Lambrate Station ROUTE VIDEOS Milan-Como-Chiasso, POV RABe 501 SBB/FFS Eurocity Chiasso-Como-Milan, POV RABe 501 SBB/FFS Eurocity IMAGES From left, clockwise: Unicredit Tower, the tallest building in Italy (231m), Milano Centrale terminal, Pirelli skyscraper (127m), Lake Como, Royal Villa of Monza and Lombardy Complex (161m, headquarters of the Lombardy Region). CONCLUSIONS If you love international routes, full of fast and commuter passenger transport, this is the route for you! A journey from Lake Como to the center of Milan, passing through Monza. A journey full of challenges and emotions, on one of the classic routes of this country! And without forgetting the many freight services! This is Milan-Chiasso International Railway! Caravatt.
Very nice route with lots of diverse traffic! This is literally the box of chocolate with something for everyone: Regional trains, commuter services, fast and/or international trains, lots and lots of freight hauling and shunting. And having Milano Centrale as a focal point is always a win... what an incredible station! Although I fear that if the train traffic in and around München is already said to be too complex for TSW standards, Milano might be even worse. And Chiasso is no pushover either, with its huge freight staging area. Regardless, I'd definitely check this one out
Yes, let's say that it helps a lot that Trenitalia services are absent in both Milan terminals. This would remove 50% of traffic from Milan Centrale and 30% from Porta Garibaldi. Almost 60% of services are carried out using the ETR521, so it would be easy to create many AI layers in the urban area. I'm just concerned about the performance in that area...
Perhaps performance could be fine, depending on how the city area is being built and programmed. I noticed that some German cities tend to be quite performance-hungry (München, Bremen, Mainz) while others seem to run pretty smooth (Hamburg, Dresden, Salzburg). Another problem could be getting all the licenses and building all the necessary rolling stock But you gotta start somewhere, when expanding to a new country
Excellent idea looks like you were inspired by my suggestion Switzerland to Italy Milano Centrale to Bellinzona. My route suggestion extended much further than yours on the Swiss section
