Colosseum (train)

Colosseum
Overview
Service type Trans Europ Express (TEE)
(1984–1987)
InterCity (IC)
(1987– 1989)
EuroCity (EC)
(1989– 1997)
Locale Germany
Switzerland
Italy
Predecessor TEE Settebello
First service 3 June 1984
Last service 31 May 1997
Former operator(s) Deutsche Bundesbahn
Ferrovie dello Stato
Route
Start Rome
End Milan / Frankfurt am Main
Technical
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Electrification 15 kV 16,7 Hz
(Germany & Switzerland)
3000 V DC
(Italy)

The Colosseum was an express train initially linking Rome and Milan later Frankfurt am Main. The train was named after the Amphitheatrum Flavium, renowned as Colosseum.[1]

Trans Europ Express

The Colosseum was the successor of the TEE Settebello on the same route and schedule. The ETR 300 rolling stock was replaced by locomotive hauled coaches of the Gran Conforto Class. Because the name Settebello was widely associated with the ETR 300 the name of the Milan - Rome service changed as well. On 3 June 1984 the service continued as TEE Colosseum or Colosseo in Italian.[2] The train was hauled by FS Class E.444 locomotives and used the Gran Conforto coaches used in the TEE Adriatico until 2 June 1984. After three years of service the Colosseum was converted to a two-class InterCity.

EuroCity

On 28 May 1989 the route was extended farther north to Frankfurt am Main, being international the train qualified as EuroCity. The coaches for the EuroCity were provided by Deutsche Bundesbahn. In 1991 the German InterCityExpress (ICE) started with the opening of the Hanover - Würzburg highspeed railway. This meant a reorganisation of the long distance trainservices that effected the EuroCitys as well. Travellers to Frankfurt could use the ICE north of Basle but the Rhine valley farther north did not have a highspeed service yet and the number of EuroCitys there was increased. Travellers from Milan to Germany could use the EC Verdi but this train did not ride south of Milan. The Colosseum was shortened to the Rome - Basel portion and was continued until 31 May 1997. On 1 June 1997 Cisalpino introduced ETR 470 tilting trains between Milan and Basle that replaced the EC Colosseum.[3]

References

  1. ↑ La Légende des TEE p. 400.
  2. ↑ Das grosse TEE Buch p. 120
  3. ↑ La Légende des TEE p. 401.

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.