TRAXX for European Sleeper to Italy
posted on 20th Aug 2026 14:18
On 5 February 2025, European Sleeper launched its long-announced night service connecting Brussels with Venezia. However, this only took the form of a few trains in February and March of that year for trips to the Alps for winter holidays and the Venice Carnival.
In Italy, the hauling was to be provided by a locomotive provided by Arenaways, but this did not happen. In the end, European Sleeper managed to resolve the issue of licensing and traction in Italy, with the involvement of FS and the Class E 402B locomotives.
This year, European Sleeper is planning to introduce the Italian night trains again, to MIlano - and again in cooperation with Arenaways. In June 2026, the latter and European Sleeper have reached an agreement to run a new night train service between Milano and Brussels.
Arenaways has already secured a TRAXX for this purpose, 483 003 from Alpha Trains. The first Italian ES service is due to depart on 9 September 2026, with the southbound train a day later.
