Good afternoon everyone. Today I'm moving to the north-eastern quadrant of Italy, wanting to introduce you to the iconic Pontebbana Railway. Also known as Pontafelbahn. Largely rebuilt between 1985 and 2000, it now runs on a entirely new path. It's considered one of the most important railway works (engineering and construction) in the entire country! We're in Northeastern Italy, within the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia Region territory. The great northern Italy plain meets the imposing Eastern Alps, marking the famous triple corner border between Italy, Austria and Slovenia. The route begins in Udine, main city of this region. After a fair plain stretch, the tracks begin to climb with a moderate but constantly increasing gradient. This up to Carnia. Here begins the "imposing railway engineering" section, with 6 long tunnels inside the mountain. Following the Fella River Valley. Then tracks reach Tarvisio. Here, the Italian line gives way to the Austrian Rudolfsbahn. After border-crossing between the two countries, the line descends rapidly into the Gail River Valley, reaching Villach. Our final destination. Immerse yourself in one of the most important railway realities in Italy, surrounded by a splendid Alpine/forest landscape. Travelling between the two European countries. This is the Pontebbana Railway (Pontafelbahn): Udine to Tarvisio + Villach! GENERAL FEATURES This route features: - 117.5km(73 mi) total length: a) 94km(58.4mi) on Pontafelbahn (Pontebbana). b) 23.4km(14.5mi) on Rudolfsbahn. - About 44km(27.3mi) inside tunnels. - Multiple river crossings (viaducts). - Sustained gradients. - Authentic and busy Alpine pass. - Freight terminals. - Multiple route crossings with other lines/railways (both Austria and Italy). The line is served: - Single track, standard gauge (1435 mm/4 ft 8+1⁄2 in), electrified 3kV DC OHLE (Italian standard network voltage) [Udine-PM Vat section]. - Double/single track, standard gauge, electrified 3kV DC OHLE [Udine Belt Line]. - Double track, standard gauge, electrified 3kV DC OHLE [PM Vat-Tarvisio]. - Double track, standard gauge, electrified 15kV AC OHLE (Austrian standard network voltage) [Tarvisio-Draubrücke Jn.]. - Single track, standard gauge, electrified 15kV AC OHLE [Draubrücke Jn.-Villach Hbf]. With exception of common areas of Udine, Tarvisio, Villach Wbf and Hbf. As well as all the various overtaking present along the route. The path is equipped with: - CTC/SCC (Centralized Traffic Control) under BAcc (Coded Currents Automatic Block) as signaling system adopted [Udine-Tarvisio]. - LS (Lichtsignal) as automatic signaling system adopted [Tarvisio-Villach]. - SCMT (Train Operation Control System), as safety system adopted [Italian side]. - PZB90 (2.0?) (Punktförmige Zugbeeinflussung), as safety system adopted [Austrian side]. - GSM-R (GSM F and GSM-R AT), as regards comm. Transition to ETCS L1 (Austrian side) and L2 (Italian side) is planned. The max gradient on this route reaches: - 2.4%(20.40x1000) Max peak (just after Tarvisio). - 2.3%(22.80x1000) on Rudolfsbahn (Austrian stretch). - 1.5%(14.73x1000) on Pontafelbahn (Italian stretch). The max permitted speed on this route reaches: - 140/150km/h(87/93mph) [Udine-Tarcento stretch]. - 180km/h(112mph) [Tarcento-Tarvisio stretch]. With small drops in a couple of areas. - 100/120km/h(62-75mph) [Tarvisio-Villach stretch]. Several drops along the way. Speeds related to passenger service. Freight traffic doesn't exceed 120-140km/h (75-87mph)! The line is managed by: - RFI s.p.a. (Italian Railway Network), as regards the infrastructure (Italian side). - ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG (Austrian Railway Network), as regards the infrastructure (Austrian side). Passenger service is operated by: - ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG, public national, local and international transport company. - Trenitalia s.p.a. (Friuli-Venezia-Giulia department), private/public regional transport company. - FUC s.r.l. (Udine-Cividale Railways), public/private company for local and Micotra services (together with ÖBB). Freight service is operated by: - Rail Cargo Group AG (ÖBB freight division). Subsidiary ÖBB Cargo Italia is also present. - Mercitalia Rail s.r.l. (Trenitalia freight division). - DB Cargo AG (DB freight division). Subsidiary DB Cargo Italia is also present. - Lokomotion Rail GmbH, alongside its subsidiary Rail Traction Company s.p.a. (private operators). - InRail s.p.a. private company (operational base Udine Bottenicco). Plus a large number of other operators, such as ČD Cargo a.s., PKP Cargo SA, Beacon Rail, Ecco-Rail (Akiem leasing) etc... Without forgetting Railpool and MRCE rentals, always present in the area. ROUTE AND STATIONS The route features: - 10 stations/stops on Italian territory, plus one closed (Bagni Santa Caterina). - 8 stations/stops on Austrian territory, plus one auxiliary stop at Villach Hbf (Villach Hbf "Lind"). Total of 19 active stations/stops. The calls are as follows: ----Pontebbana------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Udine Main station, southern terminus of this route. Crossroads of several national and local lines. Km0* PM Vat, freight shunting/waiting sidings, with access to both Udine and Belt Line. - Tricesimo-San Pelagio Stop, Km12* - Tarcento Station, Km18.4* - Artegna Stop, Km22* - Gemona del Friuli Station, equipped with large shunting/waiting sidings. Km28* - Venzone Stop, Km35* - Carnia Station, Km40* Tunnel sections (1-3) - Pontebba Station, which gives the line its name. Km63* Tunnel sections (4-5) - Ugovizza-Valbruna Station, line apex (777m). Km79.3* Tunnel sections (6) - Tarvisio Boscoverde Station, equipped with large shunting/waiting sidings. Traction change point (if required), 3kV DC/15kV AC neutral section and signalling change. End of Trenitalia regional service. Km 89* Italy/Austria border, Km94.3* ----Rudolfsbahn------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Thörl-Maglern Stop, first Austrian stop and least served of the route. Km400** - Arnoldstein Station, equipped with large shunting/waiting sidings. End of ÖBB S4/REX4 services (to Gailtalbahn). Km395** - Pöckau Stop, Km392** - Neuhaus an der Geil Stop, Km389.3** - Fürnitz Stop, equipped with freight reception tracks and links to Villach Süd Freight Terminal. Km386.5** - Villach Warmbad Stop, end of ÖBB S5 service (to Karawankenbahn). Km382** - Villach Westbahnhof (Wbf) Station, equipped with large rolling stock sidings (EMU/DMU etc...) and electric locos roundabout (Villach ÖBB Technicenter). Draubrücke Jn. ---> Villach Hbf Main station, northern terminus of this route. Equipped with depot sidings and direct access to several national lines. Km378** ---> Villach Hbf "Lind" Stop, alternative on some S-bahn services. * Distance from route origin, Udine (Km0). ** Distance from route origin, St Valentin (Km0). ROUTE PLAN A) General view of the route. All main stations/points are marked. B) Detail of Udine area: - Yellow (right) Belt Line/East Jn. - Yellow (left) Udine-Cervignano Line (freight/regional). Belt Line prevents the bulk of freight convoys passing through the station! C) Detail of Villach area. Note the Villach Süd huge freight terminal. Pontafelbahn (Pontebbana) scheme. Rudolfsbahn scheme (southern part). PASSENGER SERVICE EUROCITY - EC 130-131 / 132-133 ÖBB Railjet Venice S. Lucia-->Wien Hbf a) Udine-Villach Hbf, with 2Tpd towards Wien Hbf (1x morning and 1x afternoon). b) Villach Hbf-Udine, with 2Tpd towards Venice S. Lucia (same as above). Total of 4 services/day. EURONIGHT - EN 294-295 ÖBB Nightjet Rome Termini-->Wien Hbf a) Udine-Villach Hbf, with 1Tpd towards Wien Hbf. b) Villach Hbf-Udine, with 1Tpd towards Rome Termini. Total of 2 services/day. - EN 233-235 ÖBB Nightjet La Spezia Centrale-->Wien Hbf-->München Hbf a) Udine-Villach Hbf, with 1Tpd towards Wien Hbf/München Hbf. b) Villach Hbf-Udine, with 1Tpd towards La Spezia Centrale. Total of 2 services/day. - EN 236-237 ÖBB Nightjet Venice S. Lucia-->Wien Hbf-->Stuttgart Hbf a) Udine-Villach Hbf, with 1Tpd towards Wien Hbf/Stuttgart Hbf. b) Villach Hbf-Udine, with 1Tpd towards Venice S. Lucia. Total of 2 services/day. Nightjet to La Spezia doesn't call in Udine. This service would end at red light! MICOTRA - R/D 1820-22 / 1821-23 FUC/ÖBB *Trieste Centrale-Udine-Villach Hbf a) Udine-Villach Hbf, with 2Tpd towards Villach Hbf. b) Villach Hbf-Udine, with 2Tpd towards Udine/*Trieste Centrale Total of 4 services/day. * Extension to Trieste weekend/holiday only. REGIONAL TRENITALIA - R 15: Ljubljana-->Trieste-Cervignano-->Udine-Tarvisio a) Udine-Tarvisio, 16 services/day (complete), 1Tph. b) Tarvisio-Udine, 17 services/day (complete), 1Tph. Total of 33 services/day (complete), plus many short-term runs, especially Udine-Carnia. NOTE - Services run on following patterns: - (Trieste)Udine-Tarvisio - (Trieste)Udine-Carnia - (Cervignano)Udine-Carnia When Micotra runs, regional service missing that time. REX/S-BAHN ÖBB - (670) REX4/S4 Villach-Arnoldstein-->Hermagor a) Villach Hfb-Arnoldstein [S-bahn], 23 services/day, 1Tph. b) Arnoldstein-Villach Hbf [S-Bahn], 23 services/day, 1Tph. c) Villach Hbf-Arnoldstein [REX], 2Tpd (1x morning and 1x afternoon). d) Arnoldstein-Villach Hbf [REX], 2Tpd (same as above). Total of 46 services/day (S-Bahn) + 4 services/day (REX). - (221) S5 Villach-Rosenbach-->Jesenice a) Villach Hbf-Villach Warmbad, 21 services/day, 1Tph. b) Villach Warmbad-Villach Hbf, 24 services/day, 1Tph. Total of 45 services/day (S-Bahn). In addition to all Fast Regional (RV), Intercity Night (ICN) and Frecciarossa (FR) [Trenitalia] + Italo [NTV] services in Udine. In addition to all REX, S-Bahn, Intercity and Railjet services in Villach. FREIGHT SERVICE Freight service is really impressive on this route. In fact, this represents one of the main freight links between Austria, Germany and Italy. As well as beeing part of the Baltic-Adriatic Corridor. Traffic is so intense here! Sectors involved: - Metals (Eanos, Res, Shimmns-TTU and Habbiins). - Intermodal (Sggmrss and Sdggmrss). - Vehicle transport (Laaers). - Gas/fuel products (Zags and Zacns). Primary freight services: - Villach Süd Freight Terminal<-->Cervignano d/F Freight Terminal (via Udine Belt Line). - Trieste/Venice (Marghera)<-->Villach Süd Freight Terminal (gas/fuels). - Czech Republic/Poland<-->Verona/Turin (cars/vans). - Germany<-->Italy (Mostly Intermodal). - Austria<-->Northern Italy (metal scrap/steel products). - Salzburg<-->Trieste ("Highway on Railroad"lorry convoys). There are also several local services, especially Cervignano-Osoppo (Gemona d/F) and on Udine Belt Line. All of them are steelworks based. Plus traffic in Villach (AI Only). Approximately 60+ freight services/day (both directions). ROLLING STOCK The following rolling stock can be seen on this route: PASSENGER / INTERNATIONAL - Siemens Viaggio Comfort - Railjet 1.0 & Viaggio Next Level - Nightjet 2.0 Trainsets, for ÖBB RJ/NJ Eurocity/Euronight services. Famous and iconic high-speed trainsets of the Austrian Federal Railways. Both gen. are present here, with the Eurocity service entrusted to the first one, while the Euronight to the newest addition of ÖBB fleet. Both are capable of 230km/h (143mph), limited to 160km/h (100mph) [Italy]. 200km/h(125mph) certification is underway. Railjet Eurocity consists of 9 cars (including the "Taurus" cabcar), while Nightjet consists of 7 cars (including the "Vectron" cabcar). They can operate with all Siemens locos, Taurus and Vectron (including Vectron 230, which should start testing in Italy this year). Here present in their respective Railjet and Nightjet liveries. PASSENGER / REGIONAL-SUBURBAN - ETR 563/564 Civity + 4024 Talent 1 & 4746 Desiro ML EMUs, for Trenitalia and ÖBB regional/s-bahn services. The first is a modern EMU in service with Trenitalia FVG. Max speed of 160km/h (100mph). 5 locked cars, 3kV DC power supply (563) and 3kV DC/15kV AC dual power supply (564). It's closely related to the NS SNG! The second is the well known Talent 1st gen, max speed of 140km/h (87mph), 4 locked cars. 15kV AC power supply, mainly used on the S-bahn. The third is one of the latest additions to the ÖBB Cityjet fleet. Max speed of 160km/h (100mph), 3 locked cars. 15kV/25kV AC dual power supply, used both on REX and S-Bahn services. Here present in their respective "White-Blue" Trenitalia FVG and Cityjet ÖBB liveries. Please, put your LIKE here firs, Thank You! Continue Below...
Page 2 - Type Z UIC Bmpz/Dsmz Coaches, for Micotra FUC/ÖBB cross-border regional services. This is the stock used on Micotra cross-border services. A convoy is usually made up of 3/4 cars: 2/3x Bmpz (2nd class) +1x Dsmz luggage (bike transport). They're common ÖBB Intercity coaches, here used in regional role. Supporting a max speed of 200 km/h(125 mph), limited to 160km/h(100mph) on this service. They're usually hauled by a FUC Taurus loco. Here present in their classic ÖBB Intercity livery, with current Micotra graphics. PASSENGER/FREIGHT TRACTION - Rh 1293 / E.193 / EU46 6193 Vectron Polytension electric locos, for multiple operators freight and passenger services. Ultra-modern and powerful AC/DC loco, the true "queen" of this route. It's used by many operators, both passenger but especially freight. Max speed of 200km/h (125mph), limited to 160 km/h(100 mph) [Italy]. 1.5/3kV DC-15/25kV AC power supply (4 pantographs). It's used by ÖBB (Nightjet and freight), DB Cargo, RTC/Lokomotion and PKP Cargo. The DC version (E.191) is also present here, especially with InRail and DB Cargo. The liveries are those proposed above. PS. Vectron 230 should soon enter service in Italy, hauling the new Railjet 2.0 and Nightjet 2.0 trainsets! - Rh 1216 / E.190 Taurus III (ES 64 U4) Polytension electric locos, for multiple operators freight and passenger services. Iconic third series of the famous AC/DC loco family. It's used by many operators, both freight and passenger. Max speed of 230km/h(143mph), limited to 160km/h(100mph)[Italy]. 1.5/3kV DC-15/25kV AC power supply (4 pantographs). It is used by ÖBB (Railjet and freight), FUC (Micotra) and InRail (freight). The liveries are those proposed above, in addition of the classic ÖBB Red. - E.412 FS / EU43 Tri-current locos, for MIR & RTC freight services. Important Italian loco, belonging to the Pre-Traxx family. It's an AC/DC unit, max speed of 200km/h(125mph), limited to 160km/h(E.412) and 140km/h(EU43). 1.5/3kV DC-15kV AC power supply (only 2 pantographs). It's used by Mercitalia Rail and Rail Traction Company on their freight services. The liveries are Zinc-MIR and RTC(red zebra). - E.189 EuroSprinter (ES 64 F4) Polytension electric loco, for RTC & MRCE freight services. Famous and iconic series of AC/DC locos, widely used throughout Europe by many operators. Max speed 140km/h(87mph), 1.5/3kV DC-15/25kV AC power supply (4 pantographs). All specimens here are owned by MRCE/Dispolok leasing, leased to some companies such as RTC. Other operators are, for example, Beacon Rail. Here present in the Dispolok/RTC and MRCE liveries. STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES STRONG POINTS - Long and modern cross-border mainline. - Excellent line top speed (180km/h-112mph). - Excellent number of playable services (200+ daily)! - Excellent passenger services stratification, with direct international services along the entire route, local regional/S-Bahn services on both sides (Italian and Austrian) and cross-border ones. - Excellent layout of Trenitalia services, with half-way trips, split services and more. - Presence of Eurocity (Railjet) and Euronight (Nightjet) services to and from Austria. - Presence of the cross-border Micotra service. - Presence of freight service (lots of)! - Presence of ECS movements (both in Udine and Villach). - Presence of shunting and marshalling activities (on all existing freight facilities and Tarvisio). - Good number of stops along the route: spaced out on the Italian side, close together on the Austrian one. - Excellent articulation, with many overtaking points (passenger>freight), depots, yards etc... - Over 40km of tunnels, making it easier to create and improving game performance! - Stunning and immersive landscape, full of details. - Excellent scenery variety: urban, countryside, alpine valley and alpine pass. - Presence of many landmarks, historical and not. - Proximity to the famous triple corner border Italy/Austria/Slovenia. - Right rolling stock variety included. Some of them already present ingame or adaptable (Vectron, Bmzs, 4024 etc...). - Some Layers may come from future or current Austrian routes (1216, 1116, 4746, Railjet etc...). - Possibility to extend the route in the future, including the Udine-Cividale Railway (15km, with dedicated stock). WEAK POINTS - Over 40 km of tunnels (there's always another side of the coin...). - Freight trains must stop at red light on Udine Belt Line (Cervignano is too far away to be included)! - Difficulty to reusing ETR 563/564s, as only the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia Region and Ferrotamviaria (Puglia) have them! They're widely used in other European countries (e.g. Eastern ones). - Possible difficulties with voltage change in Tarvisio (it would be necessary to introduce a shunting diesel to bring single-voltage locos back under the correct power source)! Continue Below...
Page 3 STATIONS Udine Main station, with its distinctive XIX Century style. The southern terminal of this route. It has recently been deeply renovated: new platforms, new furniture, elevators, wheelchair access, pis etc... Left: Carnia Station, terminal of some regional runs. Right: Pontebba Station, which gives the line its name. Left: Ugovizza-Valbruna Station, highest point of the Alpine pass. Right: Tarvisio Boscoverde Station, key point between Pontafelbahn and Rudolfsbahn. This is where traction change takes place (if needed) and where Italian regional services end. It's famous for its structure, that combines modern with Alpine style. Left: Thörl-Maglern Stop, the least served (only 4 trains stop here everyday) and one of the most characteristic visible structures. Right: Villach Westbahnhof Station, secondary stop in the city. Well decorated and imposing. Villach Hauptbahnhof Main station, northern terminal of this route. Renovated in the last decade, it represents one of the most important railway hubs in Carinthia. Crossroads of many local and national services. ROUTE VIDEOS Cabride Udine-Tarvisio Boscoverde (Pontebbana), EC RJ 132 Venice S. Lucia-Wien Hbf. Railjet Viaggio Comfort+E.190/1216 ÖBB. Cabride Tarvisio Boscoverde-Klagenfurt Hbf (Rudolfsbahn), EC RJ 132 Venice S. Lucia-Wien Hbf. Railjet Viaggio Comfort+E.190/1216 ÖBB (consider only up to Villach Hbf). Trainspotting at Tarvisio Boscoverde. Part 1/2. Trainspotting at Tarvisio Boscoverde. Part 2/2. Trainspotting at Villach Hbf. Continue Below...
Page 4 Trainspotting at Udine. IMAGES Left: General view of Udine. Center of, "the castle" which dominates the city. Right: Venzone, beautiful fortified town in the Tagliamento Valley. The line passes right beside it. Pontebbana & Fella Viaduct (simply known as Fella Viaduct), the most important open-air structure of the line, over 1km(0.6mi) in length. Just north of Carnia. Left: View of Pontebba, literally broken in two by the line. This location gives its name to the Italian section of the route (Pontebbana). Right: View of Tarvisio, located about 1.5km from its station (down the valley visible below it). Major European ski resort. Left: Rio Bianco Viaduct, the most significant structure of the line, and its arch (300m in length). Right: General view of massive Villach Süd Freight Terminal. Foreground: intermodal terminal; on left: triage yard; background: main yard. On right you can see the Fürnitz stop (on our line). Left: Villach Warmbad, home of the "Kärnten Therme" (thermal baths). Also note the distinctive circular building, called "Das Atrium". Part of an extensive commercial and educational complex of the city. Right: General view of Villach, a southern Carinthia city. Note the Drau River. I also remember the presence of the famous 6 tunnels, between Carnia and Tarvisio, true core of the route. In addition to many military structures in the valley (XIX Century-WWI) and all the ancient viaducts on the old path (visible at some places). CONCLUSIONS Anyone want a busy Alpine pass? Well this is just that route! Discover the modern and fast line that connects Italy to Austria. From the plain to the Alps ad back. Take charge of ÖBB's modern Eurocity and Euronight services between the two countries, operated with the famous Railjet and Nightjet trainsets! Manage local passenger traffic on both sides of the route, relying on the modern Civity, Talent and Desiro units. Not to mention the huge amount of freight traffic, taking advantage of modern multi-voltage units proposed. Finally, you'll have the opportunity to manage a special cross-border regional service, result of the synergy between FUC and ÖBB! Dominate the mountains, ensuring vital connections on this important European railway! This is the Pontebbana Railway (Pontafelbahn): Udine to Tarvisio + Villach! Caravatt.
now this is some super-high drool alert content ... would pay almost full game price for this one ... especially if RailJets got done in high quality fashion
Totally understand, I'm also a huge lover of these beautiful trainsets! Here you could find everything a railway enthusiast is looking for ! I'm hoping for a future Italian/cross-border route! Happy to see that we have several things in common with your railways there (I'm referring about your latest proposal!)!
I hope we see Italian route in the future, amen to that. For me both Italy & Greece share a lot of common things, not just railways (always politics aside). Still, hope we see both countries in the future (if Trenitalia, Hellenic Train & Hellenic Railways Organization " OSE " and/or DTG and their studios want to make it happen).
dude, I mean, every single freakin time I arrive to Wien Hbf, I see a RailJet and am like, maaaan I wish I could drive that in TSW
Excellent idea however the Austrian Federal Railways uses a special locomotive inside Villach Süd ÖBB Baureihe 1064 you need that for this route and enable the layering to Semmeringbahn Dreiländerbahn Vorarlberg.
In the Verkehrsverbund Ost Region Wien Sankt Pölten you only find it inside Verschiebebahnhof Wien Kledering. Villach Süd & Wien Kledering are actually operated with hump. ÖBB Baureihe 1064 Villach Süd if they can extend Salzburg Rosenheim towards Vbf Salzburg Gnigl 1064 fits there since it operates the same way as your suggestion Villach Süd.
This route looks pretty awesome, and an Italian route would bring some more national variety, which TSW needs.
