Larissa–Volos railway

The railway from Larissa to Volos (Greek: Σιδηροδρομική γραμμή Λαρίσης - Βόλου, romanized: Sidirodromikí grammí Lárisas - Vólou) is a standard-gauge railway that connects Larissa with the coastal port city of Volos in Thessaly, Greece.^[2] It is Thessaly's most important regional line after the Palaiofarsalos–Kalambaka railway. As a branch line of the Piraeus–Platy railway, its western terminus at Larissa provides connections to Athens and Thessaloniki.

Larissa–Volos railway
Volos station 1995
Overview
Status	Operational
Owner	Thessaly Railways (1884-1955), Hellenic Railways Organisation (Lines), GAIAOSE (Station and trains)[1]
Locale	Greece (Thessaly)
Termini	Larissa 39.3746°N 22.2522°E / 39.3746; 22.2522 Volos 39.6295°N 22.4228°E / 39.6295; 22.4228
Stations	7 (1 out of use)
Service
Type	Regional railway
Services	Regional
Operator(s)	Hellenic Train
History
Opened	1884 (metre gauge) 1960 (standard gauge)
Technical
Line length	60.76 km (37.75 mi)[2]
Number of tracks	Single track[2]
Character	Secondary
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification	No[2]
Operating speed	100 km/h (62 mph) (highest)
Route map Legend km Line to Thessaloniki 0.0 Larissa Line to Athens 23.4 Kypseli 29.1 Armenio 32.9 Stefanovikeio to Palaiofarsalos 41.5 Velestino 55.6 Melissiatika 61.2 Volos This diagram: view talk edit

Course

The line branches off at Larissa and continues to the southeast through Kypseli, Armenio and Stefanovikeio before heading south to Velestino, where it meets the former metre-gauge line to Kalambaka. It then advances eastwards from Melissiatika to its eastern terminus at Volos.

Stations

The stations on the Larissa–Volos railway service are:

• Larissa railway station (connecting to Athens, Thessaloniki and suburban Thessaloniki)
• Kypseli railway station
• Armenio railway station
• Stefanovikeio railway station
• Velestino railway station
• Melissiatika railway station (services suspended)
• Volos railway station

History

Construction of the metre-gauge railway began in 1882, and the line was inaugurated on 22 April 1884 as part of the private-owned company Thessaly Railways.^[3] The project was designed and led by Italian-born Evaristo de Chirico, father of the famous painter Giorgio de Chirico, and Greek banker Theodoros Mavrogordatos. The original route was somewhat different from the current one, passing through the Volos quarry and proceeding to the centre of the city, where it met the narrow-gauge Pelion railway. In 1960, the decision was made to convert the line to standard gauge,^[3] thus speeding up travel times by allowing through traffic to bypass Larissa via the Piraeus–Platy railway. The line from Volos to Larissa was damaged during Storm Daniel, with extensive work needed to repair the line and resume services.^[4]

Services

The Larissa–Volos railway is used by the following passenger services:

• Hellenic Train regional service between Larissa and Volos. The journey time is 48 minutes.^[5]

Future

The line is currently being upgraded with the installation of railway signalling, electrification and ETCS systems.^[6][7] At an estimated cost of €71.24 million,^[7] it is one of a number of "new-generation projects" aimed at improving rail connectivity across Greece.^[8]

References

1. "Home". gaiaose.com.
2. "Network Statement Validity: 2020 ANNEXES". Athens: OSE. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
3. "The history of Thessaly Railways". Thessaly Museum Railways. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
4. "Railway network: Complete restoration in two years". www.ogdoo.gr. Ogdoo Music Group. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
5. "TRAINOSE ticketing". TrainOSE. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
6. "Railway Infrastructure". Athens: OSE. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
7. "Signalling – Electrification of Larissa – Volos". ERGOSE. 5 September 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
8. "ERGOSE's new-generation railway projects in Greece". Railway PRO. 19 December 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2020.

External links

• OSE