Route Cinque Terre Express: Genoa - La Spezia (or Riviera Di Levante: Genoa - La Spezia)

Discussion in 'Suggestions' started by maestro, Oct 6, 2025.

  1. maestro

    maestro Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2024
    Messages:
    48
    Likes Received:
    77
    Friends of Dovetail Games and TSW6 fans, prepare for a unique journey on one of Italy's most spectacular coastal railway lines: the route from Genova Brignole to La Spezia Centrale, crossing the heart of the Riviera Ligure di Levante and the iconic Cinque Terre ️.
    [​IMG]
    This line, full of tunnels and breathtaking views overlooking the Ligurian Sea, offers a dynamic and challenging driving experience. From the largest stations like Sestri Levante and Chiavari, to the tiny and picturesque stops in the five villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso), train drivers will have to master driving in a constantly changing environment. The extensive Regional, Regionale Veloce, and Intercity traffic guarantees high replayability and a wide range of operational scenarios.

    Services Offered:
    The Genoa Brignole – La Spezia Centrale route is a backbone of Ligurian transport and offers several services, perfect for the TSW6 scenario:
    -Regional (R) and Regional Fast (RV): These are the main services. Regional Fast (RV) trains connect the largest cities (Genoa, Sestri Levante, La Spezia) bypassing many intermediate stations. Regional (R), and in particular the Cinque Terre Express service between Levanto and La Spezia Centrale, stop at all stations, including the five villages, with very high frequency, especially during the high season.
    -Intercity (IC): These long-distance trains connect Liguria with other Italian cities (such as Milan, Rome, or Turin). They make a limited number of stops (for example, at Sestri Levante, Monterosso, and La Spezia Centrale) and offer high-speed driving scenarios and complex priority.
    [​IMG]
    You can see the route between La Spezia and Genova Brignole (even if it starts from Pisa)


    Rolling Stock (Locomotives and Carriages):
    To faithfully recreate the traffic on the line, the following Trenitalia rolling stock would be essential:
    upload_2025-10-6_11-25-46.png

    Complete List of Stops:
    The entire route from Genoa to La Spezia offers a total of 25 stations, including the Cinque Terre.
    upload_2025-10-6_11-35-12.png

    upload_2025-10-6_11-35-32.png

    upload_2025-10-6_11-36-55.png

    Environmental and Landscape Features
    1. The Coastal Line (Riviera di Levante)
    Most of the route runs along the coast, characterized by:
    -Dramatic Contrast: The intense green of the Mediterranean scrub, forests, and vineyards (especially in the Cinque Terre) contrasts with the deep blue of the Ligurian Sea.
    -Trenches and Retaining Walls: The railway was built close to the sea, often on rocky terraces. In many sections, the train runs just a few meters from the water, offering spectacular views (especially the section from Sestri Levante to La Spezia).
    -Steep Geography: The line is a constant series of ups and downs and tight curves, especially in the historic section between Genoa and Sestri Levante, before the line was doubled.

    2. The Era of Tunnels
    The need to negotiate steep promontories has made the route one of the most "holey" in Italy.
    -Sequential Tunnels: The journey will be interrupted by a very large number of short and medium-length tunnels (especially in the final section towards La Spezia). This creates a continuous alternating effect between light and darkness that is highly engaging for the driver.
    -Long and Historic Tunnels: For example, the long tunnel before arriving in La Spezia.

    3. The Uniqueness of the Cinque Terre
    This is the most iconic and complex section:
    -Minimum Stations: The stations of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso are small, often built close to the cliff, with direct or almost direct access to the sea or tunnels.
    -Terraced Vineyards: The hilly landscape is shaped by the famous dry stone walls and overhanging vineyards.
    -Colorful Architecture: The pastel-colored houses perched on the cliffs are a distinctive feature that must be faithfully recreated.
    -Restricted Track: Space is limited; the train passes very close to the houses and navigates between rock faces and the sea.

    4. La Spezia and the Port
    The southern terminus, La Spezia Centrale, is a large urban station. As you approach, you'll notice the change: from a natural landscape to an industrial-maritime landscape with the start of port infrastructure and the construction of maneuvering and storage areas.
     
    • Like Like x 8
  2. Caravatt

    Caravatt Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2023
    Messages:
    682
    Likes Received:
    1,664
    One of the top 3 routes to bring our country in! :love: Excellent suggestion, already made by me in the past! ;)
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2025
    • Like Like x 1
  3. OldVern

    OldVern Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2020
    Messages:
    20,742
    Likes Received:
    42,399
    Yes and please!
     
    • Like Like x 1

Share This Page