Good Afternoon everyone. Today I want to propose you something different, which goes beyond the usual A-B route. In fact, this proposal sees the presence of two routes, sharing the same main terminal. It's a small network, set on the lines north of the city of Milan. We're located in Northern Italy, in the heart of Lombardy Region. Between the Milan, Como and Varese provincialities. One of the most inhabited and industrialized areas in the entire country. The great plain and mountains embrace the huge city of Milan, the economic and industrial heart of Italy. Two routes, as I've already mentioned: the Milan-Asso and Milan-Saronno ones. A varied and frenetic journey to and from the city centre, along the two distinct paths that go up north, towards Como Lake and Switzerland. Take control of modern EMU's, driving suburban and regional services along Milan's endless neighborhoods. Leaving the city center and reaching Saronno hub and the small Asso terminal. The fast, straight suburban line and the twisty, hilly one. This is my North Milan Network: Milan-Asso and Milan-Saronno lines! GENERAL FEATURES This network feature the following lengths: Cadorna-Bovisia Common section: 4,2km/2,6mi Milan-Asso Line: 50km/21mi (including the common section) Bovisia-Seveso section: 17km/10,6mi Seveso-Asso section: 29,2km/18,1mi Seveso-Camnago branch: 2,3km/1,4mi Milan-Saronno Line: 21km/13mi (including the common section) Bovisia-Saronno section: 17km/10,6mi Total: 73,3km/45,5mi of tracks. The lines are served by: - 4 tracks, between Milan Cadorna and Milan Bovisia - 3 tracks, between Milan Bovisia and Milan Affori - 2 tracks, between Milan Affori and Seveso ( Since late 2023, work has been underway to extend the second track towards Meda) - Single track, between Seveso and Asso - 4 tracks, between Milan Bovisia and Saronno (two commuter, slow line tracks and two direct, fast line ones) Standard gauge - 1435 mm/4 ft 8+1⁄2 in, electrified 3kV DC (the standard voltage of all ordinary Italian networks). The maximum gradient of these routes reaches: - Milan-Asso: 2,6% (26x1000) - Milan-Saronno: 0,4/0,6% (4/6x1000) The maximum permitted speed reaches: - Milan-Asso: 50-100km/h (31-62mph) - Milan-Saronno: 120km/h (75mph) on slow line, 140km/h (87mph) on direct line The lines are managed by FN (Ferrovienord), FNM s.p.a. railway Infrastructure management department. Passenger service is operated by Trenord S.r.l., FNM s.p.a passenger railway operations department (joint venture with Trenitalia). FNM s.p.a. (Northern Milan Railways) is the company that manages both passenger transport services and some lines in Lombardy (public-private society). ROUTE AND STATIONS This network has a total of 36 stations/stops: Common section: 3 Milan-Asso: 22 Seveso-Camnago branch: 1 Milan-Saronno: 10 The calls are, as follows: Common Section - Milano Nord Cadorna FN, Northern Milan System Terminal, equipped with various sidings for temporary train storage and access to the M1 and M2 lines (subway), km0* Beginning of the underground stretch - Milano Nord Domodossola, km2* End of the underground stretch Link to Milan Garibaldi Terminal, where San Rocco depot (Trenord/NTV) is also located. - Milano Bovisia Politecnico, one of the main stations in Northern Milan area. Main station of the network for traffic density, partially underground. Km4* Milan-Asso Line - Milano Affori, km6* - Milano Bruzzano, km8* - Cormano/Cusano Milanino, km9* - Paderno Dugnano, km12* - Palazzolo Milanese, km13* - Varedo, km15* - Bovisio Masciago/Mombello, km17* - Cesano Maderno, bi-level station (without track crossing), between this and Saronno-Seregno lines. Km19* - Seveso, km 21*- 2** Junction with Milan-Chiasso Railway (to Switzerland), towards Camnago-Lentate terminal. Camnago commuter train depot (Trenord). - Camnago/Lentate FN, terminal of one suburban service (located on the Milan-Chiasso Railway, shared with RFI), km 0** - Meda, km23* - Cabiate, km25* - Mariano Comense, equipped with suburban terminal platform, km27* - Carugo/Giussano, km29* - Arosio, km31* - Inverigo, km34* - Lambrugo/Lurago, km37* - Merone, station shared between this and Como-Lecco lines, km39* - Erba, km43* - Pontelambro/Castelmarte, km45* - Caslino d'Erba, km46* - Canzo, km49* - Canzo-Asso FN, North-East terminal of this line, equipped with sidings for temporary train storage. Km 50* Milan-Saronno Line - Milano Quarto Oggiaro, km6*** - Novate Milanese, km8*** Novate Milanese commuter train depot (Trenord), equipped with maintenance workshop. - Bollate Centro, km10*** - Bollate Nord, km11*** - Garbagnate Parco delle Groane, km14*** - Garbagnate Milanese, equipped with dedicated terminal for suburban services and sidings for temporary train storage. Km15*** - Cesate, km16*** - Caronno Pertusella, km17*** - Saronno Sud, bi-level station (one underground), shared between this and Saronno-Seregno lines. Km19*** - Saronno FN, North-West Terminal of this line, equipped with sidings for temporary train storage. This is an important node for Trenord, crossroads of many FN lines. Km21*** * Distance from route origin, Milano Nord Cadorna FN (km0). ** Distance from route origin, Camnago/Lentate FN (km0). *** Distance from route origin, Milano Nord Cadorna FN (km0). ROUTE PLAN General wiew: Red: Common Section, Blue: Milan-Saronno Line, Green: Milan-Asso Line (suburban), Purple:Seveso-Camnago branch, Yellow: Milan-Asso Line (regional) Milan-Asso Line Milan-Saronno Line Please put your LIKE here first, thank you! Continue Below...
PASSENGER SERVICE There are different types of passenger service on these routes: A) Trenord Suburban services (S): - S1 Saronno-Milan Bovisia-Lodi (on Milan-Saronno slow Line, Milan Bovisia-Saronno stretch). https://www.trenord.it/fileadmin/co...roviario/ORARIO_in_vigore/Q_S1-S3-S12-S13.pdf - S2 Mariano Comense-Milan Bovisia-Milan Rogoredo (on Milan-Asso Line, Mariano Comense-Milan Bovisia stretch). https://www.trenord.it/fileadmin/co..._ferroviario/ORARIO_in_vigore/Q_S2-S4-S12.pdf - S3 Saronno-Milan Bovisia-Milan Cadorna (main Milan-Saronno service). https://www.trenord.it/fileadmin/co...roviario/ORARIO_in_vigore/Q_S1-S3-S12-S13.pdf - S4 Camnago/Lentate-Milan Bovisia-Milan Cadorna (on Milan-Asso Line). https://www.trenord.it/fileadmin/co..._ferroviario/ORARIO_in_vigore/Q_S2-S4-S12.pdf - S9 Saronno-Seregno-Milan-Albairate (AI only, on Milan-Saronno Line, from Saronno to Saronno Sud and on Cesano Maderno upper station). Possible 2 minutes mini-service. - S11 Chiasso-Como-Milan-Rho (AI only at Camnago/Lentate station, RFI side). This service requires the ETR 521 EMU. - S12 Melegnano-Milan Rogoredo-Milan Bovisia (AI only, on Milan Bovisia). - S13 Pavia-Milan Rogoredo-Milan Bovisia-Garbagnate (on Milan-Saronno slow Line, Milan Bovisia-Gabagnate Milanese stretch). https://www.trenord.it/fileadmin/co...Orario_ferroviario/ORARIO_in_vigore/Q_S13.pdf B) Trenord Regional services (R): - R16 Asso-Milan Cadorna (main Milan-Asso service). https://www.trenord.it/fileadmin/co...Orario_ferroviario/ORARIO_in_vigore/Q_169.pdf - R17 Como-Saronno-Milan Cadorna (On common section and Milan-saronno direct Line). https://www.trenord.it/fileadmin/co...Orario_ferroviario/ORARIO_in_vigore/Q_167.pdf - R18 Como-Molteno-Lecco (on Merone station and regular extensions to/from Milan Cadorna and Asso). This service requires the ATR 125 DMU. https://www.trenord.it/fileadmin/co...Orario_ferroviario/ORARIO_in_vigore/Q_170.pdf - R22 Varese-Saronno-Milan Cadorna (on common section and Milan-Saronno direct Line). This service requires the ETR 521 EMU. https://www.trenord.it/fileadmin/co...Orario_ferroviario/ORARIO_in_vigore/Q_166.pdf - R27 Novara-Saronno-Milan Cadorna (on common section and Milan-Saronno direct Line). https://www.trenord.it/fileadmin/co...Orario_ferroviario/ORARIO_in_vigore/Q_168.pdf C) Trenord RegioExpress services (RE): - RE1 Laveno-Varese-Saronno-Milan Cadorna (on common section and Milan-Saronno direct Line). This service requires the ETR 425/526 EMU. https://www.trenord.it/fileadmin/co...Orario_ferroviario/ORARIO_in_vigore/Q_166.pdf - RE7 Como-Saronno-Milan Cadorna (on common section and Milan-Saronno direct Line). This service requires the ETR 425/526 EMU. https://www.trenord.it/fileadmin/co...Orario_ferroviario/ORARIO_in_vigore/Q_167.pdf In addition to all these services, there are two distinct Malpensa Express runs (airport shuttle, MPX1-2). All via Milan-Saronno direct Line. These services require the ETR 245 CSA EMU. All timetables: June 2024. FREIGHT SERVICE The only freight service available is on Milan-Asso Line, near Merone. The Holcim Italia cement plant is located there, equipped with a dedicated track. There are a few shipments and collections of empty wagons/week. The service is carried out by a DE.520 diesel locomotive from Nord Cargo (FNM Group), with some hopper wagons. ROLLING STOCK The following rolling stock can be seen on this network: - EB.710/EB.711 TSR “Regional Service Train” EMU, for Trenord Suburban and Regional services This is a configurable EMU, equipped with two power cars with cabin and a variable number of simple power cars: - 3 cars (2+1) - 4 cars (2+2) - 5 cars (2+3) - 6 cars (2+4) Two convoys can be coupled together, using an automatic hook: - 3cars+3cars - 3cars+4cars - 4cars+4cars - 4cars+5cars - 6 cars variant operates as single units. This is the main urban train in service with Trenord, with 104 convoys operating in the Milan area! - EB.760/EA.761/EB.990 TAF “High Attendance Train” EMU, for Trenord Suburban and Regional services This is a locked configuration EMU. The only formation available: - 4 cars (One power car with cabin, two simple power cars and one power car with cabin and wheelchair area/bathroom). Two convoys can be coupled together, using an automatic hook: - 4cars+4cars This is a veteran train of passenger service in the Milan area. 27 convoys are owned by Trenord, while a certain number of units have been rented to the company by Trenitalia. Starting from January 2024, Trenord units are being revamped. New interiors and new company livery. - ETR 521/S1 “Caravaggio” EMU, for Trenord Suburban and Regional services This is the Trenord version of Trenitalia's "Rock" EMU. Different layout and type of interiors. The convoy is made up of 5 cars, locked formation. The only difference between the 521 and S1 is the presence of 1st class (S1). Convoys usually work as single units. - ETR 425/526 Coradia Meridian EMU, for Trenord RegioExpress services This is the improved version of Trenitalia's "Jazz" EMU, with new and comfortable RegioExpress interiors. The only difference between the 425 and 526 is the number of cars fitted: ETR 425: 5 cars ETR 526: 6 cars Two convoys can be coupled together, using an automatic hook. - ETR 245 CSA “Airport Service Convoy” EMU, for Malpensa Express shuttles This EMU is also part of the Coradia Meridian family, from Alstom. It's similar to Trenitalia's "Minuetto". It differs from the latter due to a different type of interiors, with large luggage areas and plenty of standing room. The convoy is made up of 5 cars, locked formation. There are 14 units in service. Continue Below...
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES STRONG POINTS - The network is long and quite complex. - Good mix between suburban/commuter, fast direct and hilly regional lines. - The network allows services of various lengths and durations, from 15 to 80 minutes. - Good mix of fast direct, suburban and regional services. - Huge number of services during the day. - Fairly homogeneous type of rolling stock used (TAF and TSR, alone, cover approximately 70% of the services present). - TSR and TAF are virtually identical. They only differ in front and a few other details. - Possible future expansion, including Saronno-Seregno Line (S9), of 15km/9.3mi. WEAK POINTS - The landscape is full of buildings and structures, especially in the common and suburban areas. This could lead to modeling and performance problems. - The speed in the hilly section is quite slow: 50-70 km/h (31/43mph). - The failure to introduce ETR 521/425-526/245 would leave the direct Milan-Saronno Line half empty. STATIONS Common Section Milano Nord Cadorna FN Terminal. Note the building above the terminal itself, which houses the general management of Trenord. Milano Bovisia Politecnico. Node station, dating back to 1991. Its complete renovation is planned (TBC). Milan-Asso Line Up: Milano Affori, Down: Seveso Up: Canzo-Asso FN Terminal, Down: Erba. Note the Floral style (Art Nouveau) of buildings, dating back to the beginning of 20th century. Milan-Saronno Line Up: Saronno FN node, Down: Garbagnate Milanese. Most of the stations follow the general style of Garbagnate Milanese, using a lot of steel and glass. Structures dated to the early 2000s. GOOGLE MAPS credits ROUTE VIDEOS Asso-Milan (R16) Milan-Asso (R16) Saronno-Milan (R27) Consider only the section between Saronno and Milano Cadorna Milan-Saronno (R27) Consider only the section between Milano Cadorna and Saronno Continue Below...
IMAGES From left to right: Up: Sforzesco Castle, Milan Citylife, Bovisia Polytechnic (And the famous gasometers) Down: Pusiano Lake (between Merone and Erba), The villages of Canzo and Asso, Simplon Park (Triennale, Branca Tower and Arco della Pace). POSSIBLE DLC - ATR 125 “Besanino” GTW 4/12 DMU, for Trenord Suburban and Regional services (R18) This is a DMU, manufactured by Stadler Rail. It's used by Trenord on some non-electrified lines. It's composed of 4 cars + 2 diesel modules. The company operates 20 convoys of this type, 4 in this area. It's also used on the Brescia-Iseo-Edolo Railway, which I've already suggested: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/brescia-iseo-edolo-railway-new-country-italy-tsw4.74065/ CONCLUSIONS If you love big cities and rush hours, this is the right proposal for you! A frenetic and diversified journey, among the hills overlooking Milan, descending from Lake of Como, towards the big city. You'll drive suburban and regional services, along the Northern routes, full of close stops. Finally, take the controls of the direct and RegioExpress services, traveling the 21km from Saronno to Milan without ever stopping! This is my urban network! This is North Milan Network: Milan-Asso and Milan-Saronno lines! Caravatt.
This is one of the best route presentations i have ever seen really detailed, well researched and worthy of being done. fingers crossed. if your happy i would like to put a link to this in my signature. i feel more people need to see it.
An extension could also be nice, making the Saronno-Seregno Line. It's only 15km/9mi (Same rolling stock)! Some units, such as the ETR 521 could be used in a possible future Milan-Chiasso route (to Switzerland), integrating them with SBB/FFS and Tilo convoys.
