Good afternoon everyone. Today I want to propose you a classic route of my country: the Florence-Pisa-Livorno Railway, also known as "Leopolda". In particular, I'll focus on the main Florence-Pisa section. We're in central Italy, inside the Tuscany Region territory. The line crosses the Lower Arno River Valley, extending between the two important cities; running along the namesake river, via Empoli and Pontedera. After an initial urban/suburban stretch, the line splits at Signa (old & new variants), running along the narrow "Gonfolina" or cutting through the new tunnels (rejoining at Montelupo). Here the straight section begins, consisting of two fast stretch, divided by a slower mid-one . Reaching Pisa, our final destination. A flat and rather fast route, characterized by an intense Florence<-->Tyrrhenian Coast/Siena (Chianti area) regional traffic. Also present are the freight service and some daily national trains. A route for those who love countryside and historic cities, traveling along beautiful landscapes, medium-length services and an excellent stratification! This is my Leopolda Railway: Florence to Pisa! GENERAL FEATURES This route features: - 81km(50mi) total rough length. - 2 route variants (Signa-Montelupo old&new). - Two cities connected. - 3x stock depots. - 1x freight terminal + dedicated sidings. - Flat and fast mainline. - Good service mix (mid-range, long range & freight). The line is served by: - Full double track, standard gauge (1435 mm/4 ft 8+1⁄2 in), electrified 3kV DC OHLE (Italian standard network voltage). Excep for: - Florence & Pisa city nodes (multiple tracks, always electrified). - Empoli-->Siena Jn. section (triple track, third one electrification underway). The path is equipped with: - SCC Pisa-Empoli & CTC Empoli-Florence (Centralized Traffic Control), both under BAcc (Coded Currents Automatic Block). - "Banalization" regime (both tracks travelable in both directions). - SCMT (Train Operation Control System), as safety system adopted. - GSM-R (GSM F) regards comm. Max gradient: - 0.6%(6x1000) old Signa-Montelupo variant. Almost flat elsewhere. Max permitted speed: - 60-160km/h(37-100mph), never below 135km/h about 70% of the time. The line is managed by: - RFI s.p.a. (Italian Railway Network), as regards infrastructure. Public company. Passenger service operated by: - Trenitalia s.p.a. (DPR Tuscany), private/public passenger transport company. Both regional and national services. Freight service operated by: - Mercitalia Rail s.r.l., public/private freight company (formerly Trenitalia cargo division) . - Medway Italia s.r.l., private company (MSC Group). Plus MRCE, Akiem and Alpha Trains rentals. STATIONS This route features a total of 15 active stations/stops, 4x "bonus" and 3x abandoned (Florence Cascine, Carmignano & La Rotta). The calls are, as follows: ---- Florence Node--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Florence Castello station. - Florence Rifredi main station. - Florence S.Maria Novella (S.M.N.) Terminal. - Florence Statuto station. - Florence Campo di Marte station. ----Mainline------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Florence Cascine station (abandoned). - Le Piagge stop. - S.Donnino (Badia) stop. - Signa stop. - Carmignano stop (abandoned). - Lastra a Signa stop. - Montelupo-Capraia stop. - Empoli station. - S.Miniato-Fucecchio stop. - S.Romano-Montopoli-S.Croce station. - La Rotta stop (abandoned). - Pontedera-Casciana Terme station. - Cascina station. - S.Frediano a Settimo stop. - Navacchio station. ----Pisa Node--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Pisa Centrale Terminal. - Pisa S.Rossore station. Reference depots are: - DL Florence S.M.N. (regional/shunting). - IDP/OMC Florence Osmannoro (regional/major maintenance). - OML Pisa S.Ermete (regional). ROUTE PLAN Top: general view of the route. All stations/stops are indicated. Bottom left: Florence Node detail. Bottom right: Pisa Node detail. General route diagram. Some city node areas missing, sadly! PASSENGER SERVICE REGIONAL(Mid-Range/Local) 275 Line: Florence-Empoli-Siena (regional): a) R / Florence S.M.N.<-->Siena/Chiusi (Florence-Empoli). b) R / Empoli-->Siena (AI Only Empoli)(sporadic services). c) R / Poggibonsi-S.Gimignano-->Florence S.M.N.(Empoli-Florence). 2Tph each direction. 280 Line: Florence-Empoli-Pisa-Livorno (regional/fast regional): a) R/RV / Florence S.M.N./Pontedera-Casciana T.me<-->Pisa Centrale (entire path/Pontedera-Pisa). b) R/RV / Florence S.M.N./Pontedera-Casciana T.me<-->Livorno Centrale (same as above). c) R / Florence Castello/S.M.N.<-->Empoli (Florence-Empoli). d) R / Florence S.M.N.<-->Piombino B.ma/Campiglia M.ma (entire path). e) R/RV / Florence S.M.N.<-->Orbetello/Grosseto/Follonica (same as above). f) R/RV / Florence S.M.N.<-->Vezzano/La Spezia C.le (same as above). g) R / Firenze S.M.N.<-->Viareggio/Massa (same as above). h) R / Florence S.M.N.<-->Aulla/Pontremoli/Borgo VdT (same as above). i) R / Pisa C.le<-->Empoli (Pisa-Empoli)(sporadic services). j) R / Arezzo<-->Sestri Levante (entire path)(sporadic services). 4-8Tph each direction. 8-10Tph during rush hours (Florence-Empoli), 1 train every 6-8 minutes! Total of 300+Tpd. There are also some ECS services between Florence and Pisa depots! INTERCITY IC Long Range (national services): a) IC / Milan C.le<-->Naples C.le (entire path), with 2Tpd. b) IC / Milan C.le-->Reggio Calabria C.le (same as above), with 1Tpd(no return here). c) IC / Salerno-->Turin P.ta Nuova/Milan C.le (same as above), with 2Tpd. Total of 5Tpd. No mid stops (direct). FRECCIARGENTO FA High Speed Connections (national services): a) FA / Rome Termini<-->Genoa P.P. (entire path), wit 3Tpd each direction. Total of 6Tpd. No mid stops (direct). FREIGHT SERVICE Freight traffic on this route is quite intense and regular during day (almost 24/24). Runs connect internal lines with the Tyrrhenian coast (and vice versa). Sectors involved: - Intermodal (about 85% of traffic). - Metals/steel (rail elements, from a major local dedicated plant). - Excavated soil (from Florence AV Node construction sites). - Chemicals (daily delivery/collection to/from a local industry). Some services: - MRV Rubiera<-->Livorno Darsena (Intermodal). - TC Padua Interporto<-->La Spezia Migliarina/Genoa M.ma (Intermodal). - MRS S.Giovanni Valdarno<-->FM Pisa Campaldo (chemicals). - MRS Fiorentina d/Piombino<-->S.Zeno-Folzano/Pontassieve (metals/steel). - TC Rubiera-->Livorno Calambrone (intermodal). - TC S.Stefano di Magra<-->TC Marzaglia (intermodal). - TC Padua Interporto-->Livorno Calambrone (intermodal). - MRS Fiorentina d/Piombino-->Maddaloni-Marcianise (metals/steel). Total of 25/30Tpd. There are also light loco services across the line! ROLLING STOCK PASSENGER - E.464 "Washing Machine" DC electric loco + MD (MDVC/MDVE) Coaches + MDVC "Mazinga" Cabcar, for Trenitalia regional & fast regional services. Single cab loco, 3kV DC OHLE powered and capable of 160km/h(100mph). Single-decker regional coaches: 3 compart. or saloon. - NCDP/CDPTR "Vivalto" Coaches (+ E.464 loco) & ETR 104 Coradia Stream "Pop" EMU, for Trenitalia regional & fast regional services. a) Double-decker regional coaches (combo with E.464s), capable of 160km/h(100mph). b) Single-decker, 4 cars EMU. 3kV DC OHLE powered and capable of 160km/h(100mph). - ETR 521 Hitachi "Rock" EMU & HTR 312/412 Hitachi "Blues" Tri-mode HMU, for Trenitalia regional/local services. a) 5 cars, double-decker EMU. 3kV DC OHLE powered and capable of 160km/h (100mph). b) 3/4 cars single-decker HMU. Hybrid power supply: 3kV DC OHLE, diesel-electric & batteries. Capable of 160km/h(100mph). Also present are: ETR 485 "Pendolino" Electric tilting train (Frecciargento services) & E.401 DC loco + Type Z1/GC Coaches convoy (intercity services)! Please, put your LIKE here first, Thank You! Continue Below...
Page 2 FREIGHT - E.494 Traxx 3 & E.483 Traxx 2 DC electric locos, for multiple operators freight services. Dual cab locos, 1.5/3kV DC OHLE powered and capable of 140km/h(87mph). Also present are: E.652 FS "Tiger" DC loco & E.189 EuroSprinter AC/DC loco! LAMPOIL This route respects all the DTG process points, except for licensing/access, which remains a big question mark! STATION PICS Florence S.Maria Novella (S.M.N.) terminal, city's main station and Italy 4th. Terminus of many lines, including ours. Top: Florence Rifredi main station, busy city hub, especially AV services. Bottom left: Florence Campo di Marte station. Bottom Right: Florence Castello station. Top left: Lastra a Signa stop. Top right: Montelupo-Capraia stop. Bottom: Empoli station, crossroad to Siena. Top: Pontedera-Casciana Terme station, important mid stop. Bottom left: Navacchio station. Bottom right: Pisa S.Rossore station. Continue Below...
Page 3 Pisa Centrale terminal, westermost point of our route. Busy rail hub on the Tyrrhenian coast. ROUTE VIDEOS Window view: RV Florence S.M.N.-->Livorno C.le service. ETR 521 "Rock" EMU. Window view: R Pisa C.le-->Florence S.M.N. service. ETR 521 "Rock" EMU. Trainspotting at S.Donnino stop. Trainspotting at Montelupo-Capraia stop. Notice how stock has changed in the last 2 years! All Credits to the Original Authors! ROUTE PICS A) Florence general view. B) Da Basso Fortress, near S.M.N terminal. C) DL Florence S.Maria Novella depot, center of city node. D) Florence-Peretola Airport (LIRQ), city's flight hub. Left: IDP/OMC Florence Osmannoro general depot, connected by dedicated link. Right: "Gonfolina" view (Lower Arno River Valley), near Signa (old route variant). A) Ambrogiana's Medici Villa, Montelupo major landmark. B) San Miniato view, its iconic skyline visible from afar. C) Lower Arno River Valley view, near Pontedera. D) Piaggio Factory (Pontedera), famous scooters production plant (such as Vespa)! A) Pisa general view. B) PisaMover, 3-stops people mover, connecting city's station with its airport. C) Pisa S.Giusto Airport (LIRP), largest flight hub in Tuscan area. D) OML Pisa S.Ermete depot, near Pisa Centrale. Caravatt . PS. Let me know yours, if you liked this suggestion! Don't hesitate to ask me something related and I'll answer you!
Lots of effort put into this suggestion, I think it would be a great route and it would be amazing to see Italy in TSW, particularly this route connecting two major Italian cities. Hope this gets taken further!
Not directly on this route! There were some daily runs with the ETR 600 New Pendolino, a few years ago. Could layer AI Only in Florence area though (500, 1000 etc..)!
INTEGRATIONS Also wanted to clarify some additional points: a) High Speed Traffic / present on Florence city node, Frecciarossa and Italo NTV services (AI Only or mini runs). b) Diesel-powered regional services / still run on Florence-Siena, using the same MD (MDVC/MDVE) coaches proposed & MDVC "Mazinga" cabcar (TD "diesel bench" variant). Powered by D.445 diesel-electric locos! Diesel traction: D.445 (2nd/3rd Series) unified, general purpose diesel-electric loco (1970-80s). Here on some passenger services (not beyond 2025!), local freight deliveries/collections and shunting. c) Local diesel freight service / there's a Castellina-Empoli-Florence Castello local freight service. These are weekly coil wagon convoys, hauled by a D.445 loco! d) Mastery / as dual-tier system for this route: - Tier 1: PisaMover or T1/T2 Florence Tramway Network Lines AI traffic (around city node and front of S.M.N. terminal). Tramway stock: Sirio 1000, 2000 & 3000 Series by Ansaldo-Breda. 750V DC OHLE powered, standard gauge tram family. - Tier 2: posters at stations. Maybe something fictitious like "Visit Tuscany!", Florence/Chianti/Pisa areas based! Route extension to Livorno is also possible (+20km/12.4mi), including access to the US Army/EI "Camp Darby" Base (armored vehicles/ammo transport!), as well as the extensive city portual freight area (large yard and several docks links)!
