Hellenic Train

Hellenic Train S.A., formerly TrainOSE S.A. (Greek: ΤραινΟΣΕ Α.Ε.), is a private railway company in Greece which operates passenger and freight trains on OSE lines. Hellenic Train employs train crews, operators and manages the most of rail services throughout the Greek railway network, leasing rolling stock owned by GAIOSE except for ETR 470 trains.

Hellenic Train S.A.
TypePrivate Anónimi Etaireía
IndustryRailway transport, logistics and train maintenance
PredecessorOSE
Founded1 January 2008 (2008-01-01)
Headquarters
Athens
,
Greece
Area served
Greece
Key people
  • Maurizio Capotorto (CEO)[1]
  • Dario Lo Bosco (Chairman of the Board)[2]
  • Caposciutti Marco (Board member)
  • Daniela Carosio (Board member)
  • Francesca Serra (Board member)
ProductsRail transport, cargo transport, services
Revenue€106.29 million (2020)[3]
€(9.591) million (2020)[3]
OwnerTrenitalia
Number of employees
1,063 (2020)[3]
ParentFerrovie dello Stato Italiane (100%)[4]
Divisions2021:
Websitehttps://www.hellenictrain.gr/

The company was a subsidiary of the Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE) until 2008, when it became an independent state-owned company until its privatisation in 2017. TrainOSE was acquired in September 2017 by the Italian national railway company, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane.[5] In 2022 the company rebranded as Hellenic Train.[6]

Network of the Hellenic Railways
TRAINOSE Logo, after Privatisation

History

The company was a subsidiary of the Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE) and had been since 2005. Before 2005 it had been an in-house service of OSE. In 2008 the company became an independent state-owned company. In 2017 it became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the FS Italiane Group.

Privatisation

The Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund became the sole shareholder of the corporation in April 2013.[7] An international tendering process for the privatisation of TrainOSE began in July 2013.[8] The Italian state railway group Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane submitted the only binding offer for a 100% stake in TrainOSE, announced on 6 July 2016.[9] On 14 July 2016, the privatisation agency accepted Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane's offer, worth 45 million euros, to buy 100% of TrainOSE.[10] TrainOSE's shares were completely transferred on 14 September 2017, and is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane.[5] In 2022, TrainOSE was rebranded as Hellenic Train.[11]

On 28 February 2023, Greece suffered its worst rail disaster when 57 people died in the Tempi train crash, in which a Hellenic Train from Athens collided with a freight train coming from Thessaloniki. Many of the people on the passenger train were students returning from Carnival, while the freight train likely contained heavy steel plates and other construction material; the two trains collided at a combined speed of 100 miles per hour. The station master reportedly failed to switch the rail line and advised the train driver to ignore a red signal, causing both trains to be switched to the same track.[12] Following the train crash, services were suspended and it was announced that buses would replace train services until safety improved and the new signalling system is completed. A limited service will begin in April 2023 and the new signalling system is expected by September 2023.[13]

Domestic services
Network services of Hellenic Train 2022

Mainline passenger services

Hellenic Train operates three types of regional rail passenger services which include "Regular" trains (Greek: Κοινή αμαξοστοιχία, regular/common train), Express trains (Greek: Ταχεία) and Intercity (IC) trains.

The regular rail service is the slowest, with trains making frequent stops, while it is also the cheapest available. Express trains are faster trains, making fewer stops in sections served by regular trains. Intercity (IC) trains are the fastest but the most expensive. The needed supplement on Intercity (IC) trains typically doubled or tripled the base fare respectively, but today this is determined more by the different competing forms of transport, mainly air transport. Car transport is also available on night services on the main line from Athens to Thessaloniki.

Passenger accommodation is similar in all classes of long-distance trains. Seat reservation, bar, and restaurant facilities are available on long-distance express and on Intercity (IC) trains.

The numbering of the trains is determined by the type of train. Regular trains (and also Proastiakos suburban/commuter rail service trains) have four-digit train numbers, Express trains have three-digit train numbers, and Intercity (IC) and Intercity trains have two-digit train numbers, preceded by the symbols IC.

The following table shows the situation as of May 2023. Numbers indicate trains in each direction on weekdays (Monday-Friday), excluding public holidays.

Due to the recent railway accident, some routes have been limited/replaced by buses.

Summary of passenger train services, 11 June 2023[14]
Type Service Return trips Notes
Intercity Athens–Thessaloniki 5
Athens–Kalambaka 1
Regional Athens–Chalcis 13 The first and last train (11530 and 2537 respectively) start and finish at Oinoi.[14]: 5 
Piraeus–Kiato 18 The first train (1300) starts from Athens central station instead of Piraeus: there is also a single one-way train (300A) from Tavros to Kiato.[14]: 4 
Thessaloniki–Larissa 7
Suburban (Athens) Ano Liosia–Athens Airport 24 Eight peak hour return trips (42xx) start and finish at Paiania–Kantza instead of Athens Airport.
Piraeus–Athens Airport 18 The first train (1200) departs from Athens central station instead of Piraeus.
Suburban (Patras) Agios Andreas–Rio 17 Currently suspended between Agios Andreas and Kato Achaia
Local Diakopto–Kalavryta 3
Kiato–Aigio 6
Larissa–Volos 6
Pyrgos–Katakolo 2
Pyrgos–Olympia 3
Tourist Pelion line 1
Summary of rail replacement bus services, 11 June 2023[14]: 6 [15]
Service Return trips Notes
Athens–Leianokladi 1 This service existed before the Tempi train crash.
Kastellokampos–Agios Vasileios 17
Larissa–Volos 1
Leianokladi–Lamia 4
Oinoi–Tithorea 1 This service existed before the Tempi train crash.
Palaiofarsalos–Kalambaka 3 The first and last bus (C1561 and C1889 respectively) continues to Larissa.[15]
Tithorea–Leianokladi–Stylida 4 The first and last bus (C451 and C251 respectively) start and finish at Leianokladi.[15]
Daily Passenger services by Hellenic Train: tickets.hellenictrain.gr
ServiceIntercity
(IC)		Suburban Intercity Express
(ICE)		 Bus
Athens-Thessaloniki2 1
Thessaloniki-Alexandroupoli1
Thessaloniki-Serres 2
Athens-Leianokladi[16]1
Piraeus-Airport 17
Athens-Kiato 9
Athens-Megara 8
Athens-Chalkis12
Thessaloniki-Florina 1
Platy-Florina 1
Larissa–Volos 4
Athens-Kalampaka1
Palaiofarsalos–Kalampaka1 2
Alexandroupoli-Ormenio 2
Leianokladi-Lamia-Stylis 4+4
Diakopto–Kalavryta3
Larissa–Thessaloniki 7

The railway networks listed below are not mentioned above, more information about the railways can be found here:

A limited seasonal/tourist service of one train per day also operates as part of the Pelion railway.

JourneyIC / Sub ICE Bus
Athens – Thebes1:10 2:09
Athens – Leianokladi (Lamia)2:24 5:01
Athens – Larisa3:27 3:05 4:46
Athens – Thessaloniki5:18 3:55 7:17
Thessaloniki – Athens 5:18 7:17
Thessaloniki – Serres 2:43
Thessaloniki – Platy 0:24 0:54
Thessaloniki – Alexandroupoli8:32
Thessaloniki – Edessa2:34
Source: Hellenic Train 2023 (May)

Proastiakos commuter rail service
Main article: Proastiakos

Proastiakos (Greek: Προαστιακός, meaning "suburban") is the name used for the suburban (commuter rail) services of TrainOSE in the Athens and Thessaloniki and Patras areas. Proastiakos was initially an independent subsidiary within the OSE group but has since been merged with TrainOSE S.A. The network infrastructure, even if partly purpose-built for the Proastiakos service, is part of the national railway network of OSE and, as such, is used by the regional rail services, even freight.

Proastiakos suburban trains at Piraeus railway station

Proastiakos is a relatively new development, with the first service inaugurated for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, between Athens International Airport and Athens (via Neratziotissa station, close to the Olympic Stadium). The commuter rail services that are currently operated by Proastiakos include the lines on the 'main corridor' of Piraeus–Athens–Ano Liosia, Ano Liosia–Athens International Airport, Ano Liosia–Corinth–Kiato; and between the cities of Thessaloniki and Larissa.

The rolling stock of the Proastiakos commuter rail services include Class 460 Siemens Desiro five-car electric multiple units (EMU), used on the electrified sections of the Ano Liosia–Athens International Airport, Ano Liosia–Corinth–Kiato and Thessaloniki–Larissa lines; while Stadler GTW 2/6 DMUs and MAN-2000 DMUs are used on the non-electrified section between Piraeus–Athens–Ano Liosia.

In Athens, Proastiakos provides connections with Athens metro (Line 1) at Neratziotissa station, Athens Metro line 2 at Athens Central (Larissa station) and Athens Metro line 3 at Plakentias station; while it is also the only passenger rail service from Athens to Peloponnese, providing connections with the Peloponnese metre gauge network at Corinth and Kiato stations. These regional rail links have expanded the Proastiakos role from being just a pure suburban-commuter rail service.

Freight rail

As of February 2011 the current regular freight services of TrainOSE consist of:

Other irregular national and international freight services also exist.

International services
A TCDD passenger train next to a Greek freight train at Pythion station, where OSE's network connects to that of TCDD (2007)

On 13 February 2011, due to the Greek financial crisis and subsequent budget cuts by the Greek government, all international services were suspended.[17] The Greek railway system used to connect with the railways of neighbouring countries Bulgaria at Promahonas (Koulata) and at Ormenio, with Turkey at Pythio and with the railways of North Macedonia at Idomeni.

The passenger services from Greece that ran to neighbouring countries until February 2011 were:

However, in May 2014 some international services were re-introduced on the following lines:[18]

  • Thessaloniki – Skopje – Belgrade
  • Thessaloniki – Sofia – Bucharest
  • Thessaloniki – Sofia* Arrival train into Thessaloniki connecting with the 11 pm service to Athens, thus being aimed at connecting passengers from Sofia to Athens.[19]

All international services were suspended again in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and as of 2023, none of the international railway services have returned meaning Greece's railway system will remain as domestic services for the foreseeable future.

Rolling stock

The Hellenic Train rolling stock, which until the end of 2017 was owned by OSE, was valued and then transferred almost in its entirety (except for some museum vehicles) by OSE: to the Greek State in exchange for an equal reduction of OSE's debt to the Greek State. GAIAOSE was appointed administrator of the rolling stock of the Greek State, which leases it to TRAINOSE for a price. In addition, TRAINOSE leases rolling stock to Rail Cargo Logistics (a member of Goldair), under a special contract. However, the arrival of rolling stock in Greece for use by TRAINOSE's parent company Trenitalia has been reported to take place in the context of the company's investments. 5 Pendolino trains[20] are expected to arrive in Greece in late 2020 after a delay due to the global pandemic.[21]

In 2022, "Frecciargento ETR 470"[22] will come into service as the first Italian, and also Hybrid locomotive (combine both oil and electric) are planned.[23][24]

Back in 2019, It was decided that these units would be used on the Athens – Thessaloniki line. Units will be converted for use in Greece, the existing 3 kV DC equipment is to be replaced with 25 kV 50 Hz equipment and they will be fitted with ETCS onboard equipment.[25] In August 2018, a similar ETR.485 unit transferred to Greece for testing purposes, in anticipation of the ETR 470 fleet's arrival,[26] but because it was not designed for the Greek network, it was decided instead to launch the ETR 470, which were originally expected to come in 2019, with the completion of the electrification and testing of the ETCS.[27] However, in February 2020, with the TRAINOSE depot not yet ready to receive them delivery was delayed. Instead of arriving in the summer of 2020, delivery was postponed until the end of 2020 or the beginning of 2021.[28] The delivery was delayed even further, so the first unit is scheduled to arrive on 18 January 2021 in Thessaloniki, via a route from Piacenza. The remaining units were to gradually arrive and the first route was scheduled to take place on 25 March 2021, according to the statements of TRAINOSE's managing director, Filippos Tsalidis.[29][30]

See also

References
  1. "Board of Directors – TrainOSE". www.trainose.gr.
  2. "Board of Directors".
  3. https://www.trainose.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/31_12_20_Trainose_FS_with_auditors_report.pdf
  4. https://www.hellenictrain.gr/en/company
  5. "It's a new day for TRAINOSE as FS acquires the entirety of the company's shares". ypodomes.com. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  6. "«Τέλος» η ΤΡΑΙΝΟΣΕ: Άλλαξε όνομα, έγινε Hellenic Train | LiFO". www.lifo.gr (in Greek). 1 July 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  7. "TrainOSE". hradf.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  8. "Greece launches Trainose privatisation". railjournal.com. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  9. "Greek railway privatisation attracts one bid". railwaygazette.com. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  10. "Greece names Italian railways winner for Greece's TrainOSE". euronews.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  11. "«Τέλος» η ΤΡΑΙΝΟΣΕ: Άλλαξε όνομα, έγινε Hellenic Train | LiFO". www.lifo.gr (in Greek). 1 July 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  12. Kim, Juliana (3 March 2023). "A Greek train driver was told to ignore a red light before a head-on crash killed 57". National Public Radio. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  13. Bureau, Athens (14 March 2023). "Hellenic Train: Buses Will Transport Passengers On Certain Routes From March 15". Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  14. Papaioannou, Ioanna (19 June 2023). "Train schedule from 11 June 2023" (PDF). Hellenic Train (in Greek). Athens. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  15. Papaioannou, Ioanna (12 June 2023). "Bus schedule from 11 June 2023" (PDF). Hellenic Train (in Greek). Athens. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  16. Train 1510 +3520
  17. "Important Greece Train Update". InterRail News. InterRailNet.com. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  18. "International Railway Services – TrainOSE". www.trainose.gr.
  19. "Greece's TRAINOSE To Start Passenger Rail Service To Sofia, Belgrade". GTP Headlines. 28 April 2014.
  20. "ΤΡΑΙΝΟΣΕ: Με... φόρα από την Ιταλία, εστιατόριο και μπαρ φτάνει στη Θεσσαλονίκη το "Λευκό Βέλος"". 11 January 2021.
  21. News dall’Italia e dal Mondo» Tutto Treno. Ιούνιος 2018
  22. "Railways: ETR 470 in Greece for TrainOSE, the latest news". 24 November 2018.
  23. "Five 'Silver Arrow' Trains to Hit the Rails in Greece Next Year". 12 December 2019.
  24. "Το "Λευκό Βέλος" στη Λάρισα και οι μελέτες του ΟΣΕ για τις διαβάσεις της πόλης". 20 January 2021.
  25. "Cisalpino Pendolinos to work Athens – Thessaloniki line". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  26. Planinski, Konstantin (20 August 2018). "[SI] ETR 485 31 en route to Greece, TrainOSE tests starting soon". Railcolor News. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  27. "Η ΤΡΑΙΝΟΣΕ επιμένει για το "Ασημένιο Βέλος": δεν ήταν μόνο (υπουργική) φιέστα". Protagon.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  28. Newsroom (2 February 2020). "Εργα 18 εκατ. ενόψει των νέων τρένων της ΤΡΑΙΝΟΣΕ | Η ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΗ". Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  29. TEAM, ΦΩΣ (11 January 2021). "Αθήνα - Θεσσαλονίκη: Φτάνει το πρώτο "Ιταλικό" τρένο υψηλών ταχυτήτων (vid)". Fosonline.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  30. "Σημαντικό το 2021 για την ΤΡΑΙΝΟΣΕ: Νέα γραφεία, νέα τρένα, νέα κουλτούρα". Metaforespress (in Greek). 4 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.

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