Good afternoon everybody! Today I want to suggest you a small Italian secondary railway. Located North-East of Monza, between Seregno (already present on my previous suggestion "Milan-Chiasso International Railway") and the city of Bergamo. It's located on the large plain that runs along the pre-Alpine area of the Orobie Alps (Lombardy, Northern Italy). The route winds through Segegno (North-East of Milan), passing on the valleys' border crossed by the Lambro, Adda and Brembo rivers. Until reaching the important city of Bergamo. This is a secondary link, which allows interconnection between the Milan-Chiasso, Milan-Lecco, Bergamo-Milan, Bergamo-Treviglio (Towards Milan-Venice Main Line) and Bergamo-Brescia lines. According to the Italian railway classification it's identified as a Complementary Line. This railway isn't very known, but it hides some incredible architectural treasures: first and foremost the wonderful "San Michele" iron bridge, built in 1890 over the Adda River. It would be set between 2017 and 2018. GENERAL FEATURES The route in question features: - 32 km (20mi) of tracks, between Ponte San Pietro and Seregno RFI. - 8km (5mi) of tracks, between Ponte San Pietro and Bergamo RFI. Total of just under 40km (25 mi) of tracks. The line is served by single track, standard gauge - 1435 mm/4 ft 8+1⁄2 in ,electrified 3kV DC OHLE (the standard voltage of all ordinary Italian networks). With the exception of the stretch immediately after Bergamo RFI, towards the junction with the Bergamo-Treviglio and Bergamo-Milan railways, characterized by the presence of two other tracks parallel to this one. The entire path is equipped with: - SSC (Conduct Support System) - BCA (Automatic Axle Count Block) The convoys are equipped with the SCMT system. The maximum gradient of this route reaches 0,3/0,8%(3/8x1000), between Carnate-Usmate and Paderno-Robbiate. The maximum permitted speed reaches 120km/h (75mph). There are also some restrictions. The most important of which is the 15km/h (9,3mph) limit, established at San Michele Bridge (starting from early 00s). This to ensure the reduction of structural stress and vibrations on the ancient structure, as convoys pass throught it. The line is managed by RFI (Italian Railway Network), as regards the infrastructure. The passenger service is operated by: - Trenord s.r.l. (FNM Group) The freight service is operated by: - InRail s.p.a. - Cargo Nord (DB Schenker Rail Italia s.r.l./FNM Group) ROUTE AND STATIONS The route has a total of 10 stations/stops, of which: - 7 stations - 3 stops Including the two terminals of Seregno RFI and Bergamo RFI. The calls are, as follows: A) Seregno/Ponte San Pietro stretch - Seregno RFI, North-West terminal of the route. Equipped with a dedicated terminal platform (R15), separated from the main station and reachable via sidewalk. Km32* Access track to Seregno Junction, which allows freight trains to directly access the Milan-Chiasso Railway (towards Como), or enter the Saronno-Seregno Railway. - Macherio-Sovico, Intermediate block point (PM), for convoys waiting clearance towards Seregno or Carnate-Usmate. As both this and the Lesmo stops are not equipped with loops. Km27* Gernetto Bridge, which crosses the Monza-Molteno-Lecco Railway and Lambro River. - Lesmo, Km23* - Carnate-Usmate, crossing station between the R13, R14, RE8 and S8 lines. It's also the R15 line terminal (two dedicated platforms). Km18* Milan-Lecco Railway junction, Carnate-Lecco and Carnate-Milan direction. - Paderno-Robbiate, Km12* San Michele Bridge over the Adda River canyon. - Calusco (Calusco d'Adda), Km9* - Terno (Terno d'Isola), Km4* Lecco-Brescia Railway junction (to Lecco). - Ponte San Pietro, Station shared between the R7 and R14 lines. Km0*/8** Bridge over the River Brembo, divided in two by an intermediate slope. B) Ponte San Pietro/Bergamo stretch - Bergamo Ospedale, opened in 2017 to serve the new city hospital. Only station in this section that doesn't have a crossing loop. Km3** Junction to Treviglio and Milan (RE2 and R2 lines). - Bergamo RFI, South-East Terminal of the route, equipped with a dedicated terminal and platforms 1-3 (for services on this route). There's also a large abandoned yard (only maintenance convoys). Km0** Junction to Brescia station (R1 service). * Distance from route origin, Ponte San Pietro (Km0). ** Distance from route origin, Bergamo RFI (km0). ROUTE PLAN THE BRIDGES There are three ancient bridges on this route: - Gernetto Bridge Located on the Lambro River, it was built in the second half of the 19th century. It's a mixed structure: concrete/stone and central box-shaped metal beam. The bridge is single track and has a speed limit of 40km/h (25mph). - San Michele Bridge Located on the imposing Adda River canyon, it was built between 1887 and 1890. It's 85m high (from the river) and 266m long. Its structure is iconic: a large metal arch supports the deck, inside which the railway track passes. The road passes immediately above it. It's completely made of box-shaped metal beams. In 2017 it was nominated to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The bridge is single track and has a speed limit of 15km/h (9,3mph). Small curiosity: The traffic lights at the ends of the bridge (upper road) are set up to allow railway convoys to travel across it without car traffic. To avoid overloading the structure! - Brembo River Bridge Located on the Brembo River, it was built between 1885 and 1886. It's made entirely of a concrete/stone structure. The bridge is divided into two parts by a stretch of land, which divides it into two identical sections (of 7 arches each): the stretch over the Lambro River, flanked by the road bridge and the pedestrian walkway; the stretch above a small secondary stream. The bridge is single track and has a speed limit of 50km/h (31mph). PASSENGER SERVICE There are different types of passenger service on this route: A) Trenord Regional Service - R1 Brescia-Bergamo, AI Only on Bergamo RFI station - R2 Bergamo-Treviglio, AI Only on Bergamo RFI ---> Treviglio and Milan junction - R7 Lecco-Bergamo, Driveable Ponte San Pietro ---> Bergamo RFI - R13 Lecco-Colico-Sondrio, AI Only on Carnate-Usmate station - R14 Bergamo-Carnate-Milan. Main service of this route, Driveable Bergamo RFI ---> Carnate-Usmate - R15 Seregno-Carnate (shuttle service). Main service of this route, Driveable Seregno RFI ---> Carnate-Usmate B) Trenord RegioExpress Service - RE2 Bergamo-Pioltello-Milan, AI Only on Bergamo RFI ---> Treviglio and Milan junction - RE8 Tirano-Sondrio-Lecco-Milan, AI Only on Carnate-Usmate station C) Trenord Suburban Service - S8 Lecco-Carnate-Milan, AI Only on Carnate-Usmate station So, 3 services can be driven on this route: R7, R14 and R15: - The R15 service runs as a shuttle between Seregno RFI and Carnate-Usmate. The absence of loop tracks on this stretch forces it to be covered with one unit at time: while one train goes to/arrives from Seregno, the second waits at red signal on Carnate-Usmate. Only 2 trains used. One train every 40/60 minutes (outbound+inbound). - The R14 service runs from Bergamo RFI to Carnate-Usmate. One train every 45/60 minutes in each direction. - The R7 service runs from Bergamo RFI to Ponte San Pietro. One train every 40/45 minutes in each direction. FREIGHT SERVICE Freight service includes A-B trips through this route. Taking advantage of its entire length. The convoys generally come from the Brescia-Cremona Line, passing throught the Brescia-Bergamo one. And then crossing this route, towards terminals/companies south of Como or get onto the Milan Belt Line: mainly towards Novara. It's carried out by electric and diesel locomotives of smaller private companies. There are also two companies served by this railway, equipped with a dedicated track: a cement plant in Calusco d'Adda and a thermo-mechanical company in Terno d'Isola. Diesel locomotives are always used for these goods deliveries/collections. Please put your LIKE here first, thank you! Continue Below...
ROLLING STOCK On this route it was possible to see the following rolling stock: PASSENGER - ALe582/Le763/Le562 Configurable Electric Unit, for Trenord Regional services It was a Configurable Electrical Unit, built between 1987 and 1991 on behalf of the then Italian State Railways. In 2011, with Trenord birth, the approximately 30 Lombardy units moved from the Trenitalia rolling stock fleet to the Trenord one. Widely used for short and medium range connections in Lombardy, they constituted one of the backbones of Trenord's local transport until March 2024. 3 types of cars are present in the convoy: - ALe582: power unit, with drive cabin, two pantographs and engine room fitted. - Le763: intermediate trailer, without traction. - Le562: cabcar unit, with drive cabin, baggage and electromagnetic braking. Compared to common EMUs, FS chose the mixed coupling system between cars: Hook and tensioner for mechanical coupling and brake joints like common coaches; blocked remote control and electrical connections, typical of an EMU. This allowed different configurations to be quickly obtained: - ALe582+Le763+Le562 (3 cars) - ALe582+Le763+Le763+Le562 (4 cars) They were very famous for their chopper power system, which gave them a particular hiss during acceleration. On this route they performed R1, R2, R7, R13 and R15 services. For those who say: "Oh, electric units don't make any noise..." Well, when turned on, this ALe 582 sounds like a monster - E.464 Electric Locomotive + Type 1979T "Casaralta" Double Decker Coaches (and cabacar), for Trenord Regional, RegioExpress and Suburban services The E.464 electric locomotive is a main unit for passenger services in Italy: built in 728 units (115 Trenord), it has been in operational service since 2000. There are two variants: one for regional services (maximum speed 160km/h-100mph); one dedicated to Intercity services (maximum speed 200km/h-125mph). The Type 1979T were a series of double-deck coaches, made for FS and based on the French SNCF VB2N/VR2N carriages (see bottom box in the photo above). They were the first family of double-decker coaches in use in Italy, from 1981 to June 2024. There was both the simple and the cabcar version. The letter "T" indicates revamped cars, to which seats and windows (sealed) were replaced (2008/2014).The wheelchair bathroom and space (on cabcar) were also added. The convoys on this route consisted of: - E.464+4/5x Type 1979T+ Type 1979T Cabcar. On this route they performed RE2, R14 and S8 services. FREIGHT - E.190 Electric Locomotive/DE 520 Diesel-electric Locomotive, for InRail and Nord Cargo services E.190 (ES 64 U4) is the European/Italian version of the ÖBB 1216 Taurus locomotive. It differs from the latter due to different driving desk and a few other details, such as absence of the famous musical scale during acceleration. It's used by InRail for its freight services. DE 520 (also known as D.752/753) is an imported diesel-electric locomotive. In fact, it's representative of the famous "Zamračená" ČSD family. At the beginning of the 00s, around 40 units were imported in Italy. After a complete overhaul (driving desk, engine replacement with Caterpillar units etc..) they entered the Italian rolling stock fleet. 18 units are owned by Nord Cargo, which uses 14 in its cargo/shunting activities. FREIGHT WAGONS - Shimmns (telescopic or tarpaulin cover) - Hbbillns - Eanos STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES STRONG POINTS - The route is quite long but quite linear. - The route involves intersections with multiple other railways. This allows a good volume of traffic on this route. - Good number of services during the day. - Good mix between shuttle and regional services. - Good quantity of AI Layers at Bergamo and other stations. - Presence of freight traffic (not so intense but present). - Presence of companies with dedicated track along the route. - Excellent driving pattern, with sudden accelerations and some speed restrictions along the route (15/40km/h). - Good number of stops and excellent spacing between them. - Presence of three historic bridges, equally spaced from each other along the route. - Good scenery variety: city, suburban, countryside. - Beautiful and immersive landscape, full of details. - The Trenord rolling stock can be used on other routes in Lombardy, until 2024 (withdrawal from service now). - The DE 520 and E.190 locomotives can be used on other routes in Lombardy and beyond. WEAK POINTS - The route is quite linear. - Absence of freight yards (convoys stopping at red lights?) - Inability to travel the entire route lenght with one passenger service (divided between R15 and R14 services). - A couple of services would need another type of coaches, but they could be replaced with the Type 1979T... - A large part of the Seregno station would be deserted, but more future layers could be included. STATIONS Seregno RFI station. Note that the platform dedicated to this route (red line) is detached from the central body of the station (red dot). A sidewalk connects them to each other. The platform is terminal, with siding. Bergamo RFI station. Notice the terminal platform on the right, next to the central body of the station (red dot). However, tracks 1, 2 and 3 are also used for this route. Continue Below...
Carnate-Usmate station. Crossing point between several lines on this route. Ponte San Pietro station. All other stations, except the new Bergamo Ospedale stop, follow the general architectural scheme of the latter two stations. ROUTE VIDEO Trenord Regional Service R14: Milan-Carnate-Bergamo. POV inside Cabcar Type 1979T "Casaralta". Just consider this video from Carnate-Usmate to Bergamo RFI. IMAGES Below here, some pictures of the route: Bergamo (left), Ponte San Pietro (right). Note the railway bridge over Brembo River in the background. Left: The new "Giovanni XXIII" hospital in Bergamo, built between 2012 and 2016. A huge architectural structure, visible from the railway. It also has a dedicated stop (Bergamo Ospedale). Right: The old FVB station in Bergamo Piazza Brembana, located in front of the current one. Today it's home of the bus station. Left: the imposing cement plant of Calusco d'Adda. with its almost 60m height, it dominates the view of the surrounding plain. The railway literally passes through it! Right: Panoramic view of the San Michele Bridge. Note the deep canyon carved by the Adda river, with one of the many hydroelectric plants present in the area in the background. CONCLUSIONS If you like secondary but quite busy routes, this is the suggestion for you! An exciting and exciting journey through the territories that divide Bergamo from Monza and Milan. Leaving the city and entering a fascinating countryside, dotted with many inhabited centers in sequence. Pass with your convoy at over 80m in height, across the iconic San Michele Bridge. Main railway link on the Adda River canyon. All in shade of the Orobie Alps. Take the controls of Trenord's regional services, taking passengers from Seregno to Bergamo, thanks to two different services. Cross the route with freight trains, testing your driving skills! This is the Seregno-Bergamo Railway! Caravatt.
You always come up with those beautiful route suggestions I'd love getting my hands on this route! A single-track electrified route would be a nice change in itself, since most electrified routes available yet tend to be double-tracked. Also, this route here might not be the longest, but very versatile and beautiful. It's a shame that we can hardly appreciate all those gorgeouse bridges while passing over them. I can imagine this route being fun to drive on, with all the speed restrictions and variety of traffic you mentioned. If this would be one of the starting routes included in TSW5, I'd buy it on day 1
Thank you! There certainly is no shortage of material to inspire you in this country! Personally, I know this route very well. I can assure you that it's very challenging to drive throught it. There are sudden accelerations when exiting the stations, and then having to reduce the speed in a short time. Both for the arrival at the next station, or next speed limits. There are also a couple of fast sections (110 and 120 km/h). However, the average distance between two stations doesn't exceed 4/5 km. The landscape alone would be worth riding it! In its central section, it reminds me the Niddertalbahn a lot . PS. However, it's not uncommon at all, to see a single track electrified line in Italy! There are many of them, both in Lombardy and other regions (especially Puglia).
