Aurora (Trans Europ Express)

Aurora
Overview
Service type
LocaleItaly
First service26 May 1974 (1974-05-26)
Former operatorFerrovie dello Stato
Route
TerminiRome
Reggio di Calabria
Technical
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Electrification3000 V DC (Italy)

The Aurora was a domestic Trans Europ Express in Italy linking Rome with Reggio di Calabria. The train was named after the Roman goddess of dawn, referring to the train's early morning departure from Rome.

Trans Europ Express

The Aurora was based on existing first-class only Rapidos running between Rome and Naples. In 1974 the service was extended to Reggio di Calabria and upgraded to Trans Europ Express.[1] The southbound service used the schedule of Rapido 893, the northbound service the schedule of Rapido 882 already running from Reggio to Rome.[2] Despite the scenic route along the Tyrrhenian Sea between Naples and Reggio di Calabria, loading figures on this stretch were very low and consequently the Aurora was downgraded to a two-class Rapido after only 371 days as TEE on 1 June 1975.[1] On 1 June 1980 the service was extended to Palermo using the train ferry to cross the Strait of Messina. On 30 May 1987 the rapido Aurora was withdrawn from service.[3]

TEE 89 country station km TEE 88
07:20 ItalyRoma Termini022:05
08:54 ItalyNapoli Mergellina20920:21
09:04 ItalyNapoli Piazza Garibaldi21420:11
 ItalySalerno268
 ItalyMaratea407
 ItalyLamezia Terme546
 ItalyGioia Tauro638
 ItalyVilla San Giovanni675
 ItalyReggio Lido682
13:55 ItalyReggio Calabria68415:25

References

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.