After recently travelling to Lake Como during my trip to Milan, I have to say that the following route I am suggesting was the best train journey I have ever been on and features the most breathtaking and vibrant scenery which is why I am now suggesting this. I am suggesting the Lecco to Chiavenna route. Attached below is a cab video for those who want to see this route for themselves At the bottom of this suggestion I have attached multiple screenshots of this route. This route is 32 miles long (52KM). From searching on Google, the average duration of this journey is 1 hour and 23 minutes. The Train Operating Company is Trenord. Loco ETR 425 This route highly reminds me of Chur - Arosa from TSW3 with the single track and the many bends through the scenic landscape. I highly recommend people skim through the video I linked above and play it at 2x speed or tap their screen to fast forward the video so they can get a good idea of what this route looks like and how vibrant it is. I know this isn't a highly detailed suggestion but I've gathered some basic info from what I could find online. Screenshots
Looks like a nice route. We don’t know though how FS would be for licensing or access then there is the language barrier as I don’t think English is as widely spoken in Italy as other Northern European countries.
masonh.10 Congrats. for your choice! Excellent route, so scenic (said from someone who lives in the area)! Small additions The route is made up of two distinct paths: - Lecco-Colico-Tirano (Valtellina Railway) -->Bernina Line. 105km(65mi) single track, standard gauge. 3kV DC OHLE (The section you chose is perfect!). - Colico-Chiavenna (branch). 26km(16mi) single track, standard gauge. 3kV DC OHLE. The suggested rolling stock is correct, but it needs to be integrated with the ETR 204 "Donizzetti" EMU (425s usually run on RegioExpress services). This is the Trenord version of the Trenitalia "Pop" EMU, equipped with 1st class. If set before 2019/20, it would be appropriate to introduce: - E.464 electric locomotive, with MDVC coaches and "Shower Box" cabcar. Probably the most cramped and uncomfortable drivecab in the world... - ALe 582 EMUs (local services). Old chopper electric unit, with an incredible sound! Services: - RE08 Trenord: Tirano-Sondrio-Lecco-Milan (RegioExpress) [ETR 425/204]. - R13 Trenord: Lecco-Colico-Sondrio (Regional) [ETR 204/425]. - R11 Trenord: Colico-Chiavenna (Regional/local) [ETR 204]. - R12 Trenord: Sondrio-Tirano (Regional/local) [ETR 425]. Other interesting routes in this area: - Brescia-Iseo-Edolo (diesel urban, suburban and regional route). - Como-Lecco (diesel regional route). OldVern 1) Trenord isn't just a regional division of Trenitalia (FS died in 2001, becoming a private company). It operates all the services on behalf of Trenitalia, but also has the Lombardy Region as shareholder (partially public) and many private investors. It's mainly owned by the FNM Group (North Milan Railways), which manages both rail transport and some lines (Even though most of the infrastructure is public)! Let's say that it could be considered as Avanti West Coast. The license was obtained, even if it's part of the Trenitalia Group! 2) I'm from Bergamo, but I've always traveled to Milan area for work (private freight company). The Northern Lombardy offers the best routes in this area of Italy (Imho). Language isn't a problem: many colleagues speak fluent French, German and English (I speak German, for example). And I can assure you that FNM has a different and more open business approach than Trenitalia (very conservative, like all Southern European countries). It would be easier to obtain all the necessary licenses here! I hope this was helpful!
very helpful. thank you for the additional information you provided. I was originally going to suggest the route starting from milano centrale but the station would be very empty which is why I chose the section of the route that I did. I would love to see this route start at lecco if it was created as I believe it is the most scenic part of the route as players would be travelling alongside lake como.
