{{Italic title}} {{Infobox rail service | box_width = | name = ''Cycnus'' | logo = | logo_width = | image = Laigueglia_IC_Cycnus.jpg | image_width = | caption = | type = Trans Europ Express (TEE)<br>(1973–1978)<br>InterCity (IC)<br>(1978– ) | status = | locale = Italy | predecessor = | first = {{start date|1973|09|30|df=y}} | last = | successor = | operator = Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) | formeroperator = | ridership = | start = Milano C | stops = | end = Ventimiglia /<br>Genoa Principe | distance = | journeytime = | frequency = Daily | trainnumber = | line_used = Milan–Genoa<br>Genoa–Ventimiglia | class = First class-only (TEE)<br>First and second class (IC) | access = | seating = | catering = | observation = | entertainment = | baggage = | otherfacilities = | stock = | gauge = {{RailGauge|sg}} | el = 3000 V DC | speed = | owners = | routenumber = | map = | map_state = }}

The '''''Cycnus''''' was an express train operated by Ferrovie dello Stato, linking Milan with Ventimiglia, Italy. ''Cycnus'' literally means swan,<ref>La Légende des TEE p.&nbsp;342.</ref> but more likely the name refers to the mythological King of Liguria, the region the train served.

==History== The ''Cycnus'' was introduced on 30 September 1973 in order to improve the first class-only Trans Europ Express (TEE) service along the Ligurian coast. The schedule was designed as a "mirror" of the TEE ''Ligure'', resulting in a very early departure from the French-Italian border in Ventimiglia and returning from Milan just after midnight.<ref>La Légende des TEE p.&nbsp;343.</ref> While the ''Ligure'' had constant loading figures, the ''Cycnus'' ran almost empty at the beginning of the week, but had to be extended to 11 coaches on Fridays.<ref>Das grosse TEE Buch p.&nbsp;119</ref>

Over time, passenger numbers on the ''Cycnus'' dropped and the extra coaches were scrapped from the winter of 1975/76. Eventually it the continued running a first class-only train appeared to be too much of a financial burden, and the ''Cycnus'' was converted to a two class InterCity service on 29 May 1978.

On 14 December 2003 the route was shortened to the Milan - Genoa portion.

==See also== * History of rail transport in Italy * List of named passenger trains of Europe

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Works cited== {{refbegin}} *{{cite book |ref= Hajt|first= Jörg |last= Hajt|title= Das grosse TEE Buch |location= Bonn/Königswinter |publisher= Heel Verlag |language= German |year= 2001 |isbn= 3-89365-948-X}} *{{cite book |ref= TEEFR |first1= Maurice|last1= Mertens|first2=Jean-Pierre|last2= Malaspina|title= La Légende des Trans Europ Express|location= Vannes |publisher= LR Presse |language= French |year= 2007 |isbn= 978-29-036514-5-9}} {{refend}}

{{Trans Europ Express trains}}

Category:Named passenger trains of Italy Category:Trans Europ Express Category:Railway services introduced in 1973