Olympic Spirit
 

Next week the Winter Olympic Games open in Turin and in the Piedmont region mountains.
This is a rare occasion that brings peace to human kind, and a reason of joy to rail enthusiasts.
In fact, the Turin -Novara section of the MI-TO HSL enters service!
Winter Olympics Timetable
Turin – Malpensa Airport
from 7th to 26th February 2006

Train No. MA9501 MA9511
TO P.Nuova dep. 6.55 16.55
TO P.Susa a. 7.04 17.04
TO P.Susa d. 7.06 17.06
Novara FNM a. 7.43 17.43
Novara FNM d. 7.57 17.57
Malpensa Airp.a 8.22 18.22

Train No. MA9502 MA9512
Malp.Airp.dep. 10.40 20.40
Novara FNM a. 11.05 21.05
Novara FNM d. 11.17 21.17
TO P.Susa a. 11.53 21.53
TO P.Susa d. 11.55 21.55
TO P.Nuova arr. 12.05 22.05

Notes:
Service is by ETR500 trainset in 7-piece (head & tail loco + 5-coach) consist, of the multivoltage type. The HSL line is electrified at 2x 25 KV / 50 Hz.
From Novara FNM to the Malpensa airport the infrastructure is "low speed" being a North Milan commuter line.
Olympic Spirit cheers by Dario

By the way, these are the 20th Winter Olympics. Their web site is:
www.torino 2006.org
then select English.
Good bye - Dario

The 20th Winter Olympics open with a parade in the Turin Olympic Stadium on Friday 10th February 2006.
The games start the next day and finish on the 26th.
An event which has largely relied on the most modern transportation systems, including HSL and unconventional rubber-tyre VAL metro.

The first Olympic Limited train leaving Milan Malpensa Airport bound for Turin, run by ETR500 set no.31.
Attachment 22

Look at that train and tell me that steam is better.:D

STEAM IS BETTER. Anyday anytime anywhere, in my eyes steam will beat any other system. That does not mean that I think you should have the same opion as me, just that I think STEAM IS BETTER.
SYD

Can I put it this way?
A modern train should allow the best available comfort, as it is expected, and a fast reliable service.
Steam trains are by far more enjoyable. In Italy the FS have preserved the light 2-axle coaches with open end vestibules ("terrazzini"), and I cant find more fun than to travel thereon and get invested by cinders!