Vesuvio (train)

The Vesuvio was an express train in Italy, linking Milan and Naples. The train was named after Mount Vesuvius the volcano near Naples.[1]

Vesuvio
Overview
Service typeRapido
(1937 – 1940)
Rapido
(1946–1973)
Trans Europ Express (TEE)
(1973–1987)
InterCity(IC)
(1987–2005)
LocaleItaly
First service1937 (1937)
Last service11 December 2005 (2005-12-11)
Former operator(s)Ferrovie dello Stato
Route
Distance travelled839 km
Technical
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Electrification3000 V Direct Current (Italy)

History

The history of this train dates back as far as the 1930s when Italy completed their first high speed lines, the Diretissima, one between Bologna and Florence the other between Rome and Naples. Highspeed at that time meant 175 km/h and a new electric multiple unit, the Elettro Treno Rapido 200 (ETR 200), was developed with help of Turin university from 1934 until 1936. The ETR 200 was built by Breda in 1936 and entered service between Bologna and Naples in 1937, using the new lines and calling at Florence and Rome.

Rapido

After World War II the service was resumed and named Freccia del Vesuvio (Vesuvian arrow) in the fifties. The ETR 200 stock was re-fitted to ETR 220/230/240 in the beginning of the 1960s provided with a fourth coach. The 1960 Olympics brought the ETR 250 and the Vesuvio was operated with ETR 220 and ETR 250 EMUs until the replacement by TEE Vesuvio.[2]

Trans Europ Express

In 1969 the Ferrovie dello Stato decided to replace their TEE diesel multiple units by locomotive hauled trains after the German and French examples.[3] Because domestic TEE were allowed since 1965 the order for the Gran Conforto coaches was enlarged, not only to replace the existing international TEEs but also to convert the high-end domestic services to TEE. The Freccia del Vesuvio was upgraded to TEE Vesuvio as soon as the new rolling stock was available at 30 September 1973. The TEE Vesuvio was operated with E444 locomotives hauling Gran Conforto coaches. Remarkable is that the Vesuvio conveyed two dining cars from 26 May 1974 until 30 September 1979.[4]

Intercity

In 1987 the Vesuvio was converted into a two-class InterCity service[5] because it was not an international service and therefore couldn't qualify as EuroCity. The service continued as daily service until its replacement by the EuroStar Italia operated with ETR 500 electric multiple units using the 21st century highspeed lines.

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References
  1. La Légende des TEE p. 344.
  2. De snelste treinen van Europa p. 58.
  3. La Légende des TEE p. 134.
  4. La Légende des TEE p. 346.
  5. Das grosse TEE Buch p. 119

Works cited
  • Hajt, Jörg (2001). Das grosse TEE Buch (in German). Bonn/Königswinter: Heel Verlag. ISBN 3-89365-948-X.
  • Mertens, Maurice; Malaspina, Jean-Pierre (2007). La Légende des Trans Europ Express (in French). Vannes: LR Presse. ISBN 978-29-036514-5-9.
  • Willemse, G.L.S. (1964). De snelste treinen van Europa (in Dutch). Alkmaar: Uitgeverij de Alk.
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