Good afternoon everyone. Today I want to push myself outside my comfort zone. In fact, this will be an historical suggestion. Set between 1992 and 1994. This route is a great classic in my country: the Central Tuscany Railway, also known as Empoli-Siena-Chiusi . In particular, its main section, between Empoli and Siena. We're in Central Italy, inside the Tuscany Region territory. Hilly landscape, cultivated fields, small and ancient villages perched on slopes, hedges and small groups of isolated trees. This is the territory that hosts this railway: Chianti. One of the most famous and appreciated places in my country. One step away from Florence. A unique and exciting journey, following the track that climbs these hills. You'll have to manage commuter/regional services to/from Florence and Pisa. Try your hand at driving powerful diesel units that operates here. Finally, manage local freight convoys, delivering and collecting wagons from dedicated platforms/tracks. This is my Central Tuscany Railway: Empoli-Siena! GENERAL FEATURES The route in question was 62km(38,5mi) long. The line was served by: - Single track, standard gauge (1435 mm/4 ft 8+1⁄2 in), unelectrified (excep Empoli stretch, 3kV DC OHLE). - Double track, standard gauge (Granaiolo-Castelfiorentino), unelectrified. In 1994 Castelfiorentino-Certaldo double track section was also opened. The route was equipped with: - RSC (in-cab signaling), under BAcf (Fixed Currents Electric Block) and BCA (Axle-count Block). Max gradient: 2% (20x1000), along Poggibonsi-Siena climb. Max permitted speed: 50km/h(31mph)-160km/h(100mph). However, due to trains speed limit (130km/h), never exceed 120-130km/h. The line was managed by: - Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS). The passenger service was operated by: - Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) (Tuscany dep). The whole route/services were managed by the Italian Government (public company). STATIONS The route has 12 stations (including the two terminus of Empoli and Siena). Two of these was considered stops (Staggia Senese & Cambiano). The calls are, as follows: - Empoli FS (Station located on the "Leopolda" Florence-Pisa-Livorno Railway, shared structures and services). Km316* - Ponte a Elsa, km311* - Granaiolo (Beginning of double track section), km305* - Cambiano (opened in 1990), km302* - Castelfiorentino (end of double track section, beginning of the 2nd track construction site), km299* - Certaldo (end of 2nd track construction site), km291* - Barberino Val d'Elsa, km282* - Poggibonsi-San Gimignano (mid route station, commuter and freight recovery sidings), km278* - Staggia Senese, km270* - Castellina in Chianti-Monteriggioni, km267* - Badesse, km260* - Siena FS (South-East terminal of the route, passenger train depot, diesel refueling point, train wash and maintenance workshop). Km 253* *Distance from route origin, Orte FS (km0). ROUTE PLAN Orange lines: double track areas; Yellow line: 2nd track construction site. PASSENGER SERVICE There was different types of passenger service on this route: - Empoli<->Siena (commuter service): 12Tpd. - Florence S. Maria Novella<->Siena (shuttle service): 26Tpd. - Florence S. Maria Novella<->Siena (regional service): 28Tpd. - Siena<->Pisa C.le (regional service): 16Tpd. - Siena<->Chiusi (regional service): 14Tpd. - Siena<->Grosseto (regional service): 12-14Tpd. About 82-84Tpd. A train every 30 minutes. FREIGHT SERVICE Freight service provides: - Chiusi-Livorno trips, through Siena and Empoli. - Grosseto-Florence trips, through Siena and Empoli. - Livorno-Arezzo trips, through Empoli and Siena (via Sinalunga Jn., not included here). There's also an internal collection/delivery service, reporting to Siena Yard. This takes advantage of dedicated platforms/tracks at some stations. Destinations are: Empoli Yard, Grosseto, Chiusi and Arezzo. ROLLING STOCK The following rolling stock was present on this route: PASSENGER - ALn668 3100 Series, Diesel-mechanical railcar. For FS Regional and Commuter services. Type: Diesel railcar with mechanical traction. Year : 1981-2023. Manufacturer: Fiat Ferroviaria s.p.a. Gauge: 1435 mm/4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (standard). Wheel arrangement: (1A)(A1). Power supply: 2x 200kW IVECO flat 6 cyl., turbocharged. Transmission: Mechanical, 5-speed gearbox and automatic clutch+hydraulic joint . Max speed: 130km/h (81mph). Number of cars: 1 (can be coupled with a second ALn668, 663 or in a triple formation, with a 663 at the head). Seats: 68. Specimens: 20 (here). Livery: FS Regional (diesel). - ALn663 1100 Series, Diesel-mechanical railcar. For FS Regional and Commuter services. Type: Diesel railcar with mechanical traction. Year : 1985-2025. Manufacturer: Fiat Ferroviaria s.p.a. Gauge: 1435 mm/4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (standard). Wheel arrangement: (1A)(A1). Power supply: 2x 200kW IVECO flat 6 cyl., turbocharged. Transmission: Mechanical, 5-speed gearbox and automatic clutch+hydraulic joint . Max speed: 130km/h (81mph). Number of cars: 1 (can be coupled with one or two other Aln663/668). Seats: 63. Specimens: 10 (here). Livery: FS Regional (diesel). ALn units are famous for their particular combined power/gear control lever. A selector drum is rotated from left to right, engaging one of the 5 gears present. At this point, by pushing the lever forward, it's possible to select the 4 power notches of each gear. Watch this video: - D.445 2nd and 3rd Series, Diesel-electric locomotive. For FS Shuttle services. Type: Diesel locomotive with electric traction. Year: 1978-today. Manufacturer: Fiat Ferroviaria, O.M E.C A., TIBB. Gauge: 1435 mm/4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (standard). Wheel arrangement: B'B'. Power supply: 1x 1560kW FIAT V12 95.7 litres, turbo-intercooler. Transmission: Alternator+2x electric drive motors. Traction motors: 2x 630kW AC = 1260kW. Max speed: 130km/h (81mph). Specimens: 15 (here). Livery: FS Navetta (shuttle). Please put your LIKE here first, thank you! Continue Below...
Page 2 The following coaches were in service here: - MD MDVC (mid range) Coaches + MDVC “Mazinga” (TD version) Cabcar. For FS shuttle services. Convoy: 1x D.445 loco, 4x MDVC coaches, 1x MDVC cabcar. 3 comp., 2nd class only. Livery: FS Navetta (shuttle). FREIGHT TRACTION - D.345 1st and 2nd Series, Diesel-electric locomotive. For freight services. Type: Diesel locomotive with electric traction. Year: 1971-2013 (mainline service). Manufacturer: Fiat Ferroviaria, Ansaldo, TIBB. Gauge: 1435 mm/4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (standard). Wheel arrangement: Bo'Bo'. Power supply: 1x 993kW FIAT V8 63,8 litres, turbo-intercooler. Transmission: Alternator+2x electric drive motors. Traction motors: 2x 375kW DC = 750kW. Max speed: 130km/h (81mph). Specimens: 6 (Siena depot) + 8 (Livorno depot). Livery: Isabel-brown-Magnolia green. Local freight services saw only one D.345 towing them. While those passing by this route had double-traction at their head. FREIGHT WAGONS From top left, clockwise: - Type "Gs" wagon, with wooden and steel box variants. - UIC "Gabs" wagon. - UIC "Tds" Hopper wagon. - UIC "Rmms" flatbed wagon. - UIC "Kgps" Flatbed wagon. - Type "E" Medium-Sided wagon. Boxcars were used for local freight services. INTERIORS AND CABINS Notice: The yellow and red dots indicates the SCMT interface and digital speedometer, NOT presents at the time! 1) D.445 drive cab 2) MDVC "Mazinga" cabcar " 3) ALn668 " 4) ALn663 " STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES STRONG POINTS - Licensing shouldn't be a problem (like BR), as the operator (at the time) was public. - The route is long and non-linear. - The line allows regular services of approximately 1 hour (regional/commuter) - Good number of services during day. - Good mix of shuttle, commuter and regional services. - Good variety of rolling stock used. - Some rolling stock are easy to make (ALn668/663 are practically identical, both in driving and performances. They have simple interiors and they not require much effort to make). - Interesting and strange combined shifter-power lever system, used on Alns. So fun to use! - Both the ALn663, D.445 and MDVC carriages can be reused on more modern routes. They're still in use today! They would only require a change of interior (MDVCs) and upgrading of security systems. - Interiors of the Aln 663s and MDVCs are almost identical (seats and accessories). - Presence of freight trafic (day and night). - Amazing landscapes, trust me! - Good level of challenge for the player, with climbs, curves etc... - Good mix between the straight section and the hilly (curved) one. WEAK POINTS - The route has a complex landscape to create, with numerous towns/villages crossed. - The route includes an OHLE electrification in the Empoli station area, which wouldn't be used by our rolling stock (diesel traction). - Backdating the route to the 90s requires some minor changes to the map. STATION PICS & KEY POINTS Below here, I put some images of stations and interest points along the route: Empoli Station, as it appeared at the time. Before works on the square in front of the structure. Continue Below...
Page 3 Clockwise: Ponte a Elsa, Granaiolo and Castelfiorentino stations. Clockwise: Certaldo and Poggibonsi-San Gimignano stations. Clockwise: Siena FS, Staggia Senese and Castellina in Chianti stations. Views of: Castellina in Chianti, Poggibonsi, Barberino Val d'Elsa and Siena (FS station). Some route pics. Note the double track section. Say thank you to Franco Pepe and his site, Littorina.net, for the beautiful and precious vintage photos! Here you'll find more images of the route: https://littorina.net/category/2-linea-fs-rfi/empoli-siena/ ROUTE VIDEOS Original POV videos, from November 1993! Florence-Siena regional service, Aln668 3100 series. CONCLUSIONS If you like this beautiful country, this is the route for you! An exciting and beautiful journey through the Tuscan hills. From Empoli (near Florence) to Siena. Passing through typical landscapes and picturesque villages. Embark yourself on an real challenging trip, combining an high speed first section, then testing your driver skills up hill. There you'll find curves and a steep climbs. The best that this wonderful country can offer you! This is Tuscany... The Central Tuscany Railway: Empoli-Siena! Caravatt .
Looks very interesting! The scenery in this area really is beautiful. I've travelled the route only twice a couple of years ago, really enjoyed it for its variety. An Italian route would make a great addition to TSW's route roster in any case! With the influx of 3rd party developer studios lately, perhaps some Italian developer(s) could do this route justice? I also quite like the idea of it being set in the early 90's. Call me nostalgic, but this time period had a certain flair to it which appeals to me. And the Italian rolling stock of the time was quite diverse and interesting, as Caravatt has depicted above. Which on the other hand would mean that in addition to building a whole new route with tons of new assets, all the rolling stock would have to be built from scratch too... I'd definitely check it out if someone would decide to shoulder all the work and build it
Well, definitely everything from scratch. But you have to start somewhere! For example, MDVCs are present in almost all of my previous proposals. They're widespread and still used today. It would just be enough to redo the interiors and skin. and they would be ready for another route! D.445s were also present in active service in Puglia, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Piedmont, Umbria and obviously Tuscany. Until 2018-20. In Tuscany and Umbria they're still in use today. So they would be a great addition too. ALn 663 are also still in use. They have different interiors and skins today, obviously!
Perhaps a compromise could be to concentrate on just a small amount of rolling stock, not the whole bandwith, but enough to properly populate the route. And as you mentioned, if those chosen vehicles are some that are still in use, they could be repainted and re-used for possible upcoming, more modern routes. Pretty much like TSG did with Niddertalbahn.
