Activity for the Paola Reggio di Calabria
Hi,
a basic activity, but with a lot of trafic, will be soon available on the library. You will have the choice between 2 versions (in 3 languages)
a) Reggio to Rosarno : 45 minutes with a lot of traffic
or
b) the same but with a continuation to Paola : 2 hours and no traffic after Rosarno
Be aware there are some stocks to download if you have no Italian models yet. You need to have a powerfull processor.
I'm afraid I will be not in a position to asist you if there was any problem, being abroad for a period of about fifteen days
All you need to learn about this route :
Real route
The route is the very last part of the Tirennica route, which starts in Genova and closely follows the Mediterannean coast, here called Tirennica sea, towards south of Italy (Calabria and Sicily)
The route, electrified in the 1930’s was untill the middle of the 1950’s a one track line. Thus caused a lot of problems to run the important flows of passengers (to and from Sicily) and especialy the freight flows from Sicily (citrus fruits and fresh vegetables)
Italian authorities asked to the FS to bring the former line to a double track line. According to the hilly relief in some parts of the coast (the 30 kms north and south of Tropea) it was decided to establish a new more direct itineray through the mountains. The new 40 kms shunt line needed to dig several tunnels (Stefanaconi : 4362 m, Francica : 6094 m) and was finished in 1971
TS Route
A brilliant work by Giuseppe Iannuzzi, assisted by the Amicitreni.net staff
Coming from the important rail junction of Battipaglia (south Salerne and Naples) the route starts 3,5 kms north of Paola (469 km from Roma) and makes its way towards south
Just south east from Paola starts the former well known branch towards Cosenza, like Rome a city with seven hills. The line climbed abruply to 700 meters and needed a cog track system ( ? ? I don’t know the accurate word for this) which required a special rolling stock. So the line was partly rebuilt and electrified in 1987, the Cosenza station being removed too to a more convenient place
In Eccelente station (km 561) the route diverges in two parts, the modern one drives his way in the mountains through several tunnels, the former one-track line follows the curves of the coast and serves several stations, of whom the main is the seaside resort of Tropea (km 599). Of course, the main line is rather dull with all its tunnels. The two itineraries merge in Rosarno station (km 627), before to reach Reggio Centrale 699 km from Rome Termini. In Reggio you have the terminal dock station to Sicily. Still today trains embark on ferries to cross the short Strait towards the sicilian Messina harbour
Other facts
There are no activities supplied with the route. You can run nearly all the FS electrified locos on the route, except ETR 500 (in 2003). As a non electrified route starts south from Reggio, you can put some diesels in this last station.
The route’s scenery is rather good. The only objection I have concerns the environment. I was a little surprised by the coulour of the summer sky ( a little bit like a breaking wheather). Don't be surprised to see a giant rock and a big hole in the sea between Scilla and Bagnara Caldara (never heard from Charybde ans Scilla ?
I put some screens here :
http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtop...2dcb5ad126b56c
Regards
Emmanuel
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