From Pavia to Stradella

The single track line linking Bressana Bottarone and Broni stations is travelled by trains in local service between Pavia and Stradella, two cities respectively on the lines Milano-Genova and Alessandria-Piacenza. Electrified since the 50's, a railway link like this play well the role of the alternative route to freight south-north flows, as proved by some freights commonly diverted here from Piacenza to Milano. During the day the line see only local traffic with commuters rush periods early in the morning and in the evening. The majority of trains infact - made up with ALe.582 emus or ALn.668.1500 dmus - start its trip in Pavia, except some push-pull compos which carry workers to the milanese city or carry them back in the evening to their houses on the hills. These rails have known even regular periods of diesel traction, even if electrified: the short distance of the diesel depot in Pavia - now suppressed - was a nice accomodation on providing dmus on local services with ALn.990, 773 and at last 668.1500. Leaving away the trackage common to the line for Genova, let's talk about locations touched by this line. Once left Bressana Bottarone station, the line diverts with a sharp curve on the left directed to Bressana Argine; before this simply stop an industrial spur curves to a big factory in which yard stands as monument a plinthed steam 640 loco. The first real station with switches and crossing tracks is Pinarolo Po. After some other kilometers we reach the little stop of Barbianello - which building carries still intact the flavor of the fascismo's architectural style - and, we a light curve, we prosecute until touching the double trackage coming from Voghera, right inside Broni's yard. From here our trains go to Stradella, terminus of the service on our line. For some years a train of ALe.803 and then of ALn.773 covered a turn with some runs among Milano Lambrate, Stradella and Piacenza. Now a bus run instead of it. The scenery typical of these places is the relaxing backdrop of the "OltrePo pavese" hills, between fields and rivers. Opportunity to take nice shots here are not so much: some points from Bressana and Pinarolo Po, the nice stop in Barbianello (right lighting 9.30-16.00) and a place permitting you wide views on the hills right after this last station. All seasons of the year are good to come here taking pictures: colors and lights always changing will let you take images always new.

To see the pictures, click the red dots on the map: