# P.A.Th.E./P.

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/P.A.Th.E./P.
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/P.A.Th.E./P..md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P.A.Th.E.%2FP.
> Source revision: 1354357672
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**P.A.Th.E./P** (Greek: **Π.Α.Θ.Ε./Π.**, Πάτρα - Αθήνα - Θεσσαλονίκη - Ειδομένη/Προμαχώνας), which stands for [Patras](/source/Patras)–[Athens](/source/Athens)–[Thessaloniki](/source/Thessaloniki)–[Idomeni](/source/Idomeni)/[Promachonas](/source/Promachonas) is a [higher-speed rail](/source/Higher-speed_rail) line in [Greece](/source/Greece) which is partly completed and partly under construction. The section between Athens and Thessaloniki was completed in 2019[1] and allows a theoretical minimum travel time of 3 hours and 20 minutes, although that has never been achieved in regular service. The line was significantly damaged by [Storm Daniel](/source/Storm_Daniel) in July 2023[2], and as of January 2026 is still undergoing extensive repairs.[3]

## History

Development of a modern rail network for Greece has been a major goal since the 1990s. In 1996, construction of what is currently known as the P.A.Th.E./P. was given the go-ahead. The line, which should have opened by 2004, will link Patras, Athens and Thessaloniki with the neighbouring countries [Republic of North Macedonia](/source/Republic_of_North_Macedonia) and [Bulgaria](/source/Bulgaria) via the border stations at Idomeni and Promachonas, respectively.

The project has been faced with delays because of construction and finance. Although 2004 should have been the year the modern electrified rail network opened, opening dates were pushed back many times. This does not mean that the line is fully under construction. The Domokos to Thessaloniki part opened, although unelectrified, in 2004, and the Athens to [Kiato](/source/Kiato) line in 2005 up to [Corinth](/source/Corinth_(modern_city)) and in 2007 up to Kiato, once again, unelectrified. Both lines where electrified between 2010 and 2011. In 2020, the Kiato–[Aigio](/source/Aigio) section opened.[4]

The full length of the electrified line between Athens and Thessaloniki entered service in 2019[1], and [ETR 470](/source/FS_Class_ETR_470) trains were introduced on this section in May 2022, with a total travel time of 3 hours and 55 minutes[5]. The service was plagued by maintenance issues with the trains[6][7] and eventually suspended when the last unit was withdrawn from service after a breakdown in November 2024[8]. The line itself was extensively damaged along a 120 km section in July 2023 by [Storm Daniel](/source/Storm_Daniel)[2]. As of January 2026 repairs are continuing, and the minimum travel time on the entire line, using conventional rolling stock, is 5 hours and 12 minutes[3].

## Sections

The line is further split into several sections. These are:[9]

Line Speed Length Type of works Construction began Expected start of revenue services Electrification Athens - Oinoi - Tithorea up to 200 km/h 156 km Electrification 2015 2016 Line fully electrified at opening Tithorea - Domokos 160 – 200 km/h 106 km New line 1996 2019 Line fully electrified at opening Domokos - Thessaloniki up to 200 km/h 232.5 km New line with old, upgraded sections 1996 2004 2011 Thessaloniki - Idomeni 160 km/h 71 km Upgraded line with new sections 2007 2026 Line fully electrified at opening Thessaloniki - Promachonas 160 km/h 110.4 km Upgraded line 2017 TBA Line fully electrified at opening Athens International Airport - Kiato up to 200 km/h 105 km New line 1998 2005 (up to Corinth), 2007 (full line) 2010 Kiato - Aigio 150 – 200 km/h 72 km New line 2006 2020 2026 Aigio - Psathopyrgos 100 – 150 km/h 27.6 km New line 2012 2026 Line fully electrified at opening Psathopyrgos - Rio TBA 21.5 km New line 2017 2028 Line fully electrified at opening Rio - Patras TBA 8.5 km New line with old, upgraded and underground sections TBA TBA Line fully electrified at opening

## Further proposals

In March 2018, ErgOSE announced the intention to upgrade the closed Patras-[Kalamata](/source/Kalamata) metre gauge railway to standard gauge, with maximum speed of 160 km/h.[10] This would presumably take place once the Athens-Patras section is opened.

Although still unofficial, these sections may well be constructed in the future. They have no timetable of construction and are not being forwarded yet. Most of them are in the area around Athens.

Line Reason for construction Thriasion - Thiva Line This line further will cut journey times by 30 minutes and supplement the existing Athens to Thiva Line, providing an alternative route for passenger and freight trains as well as relieving what is expected to become a major bottleneck on the Greek Rail Network. Acharnes Bypass A tunnel that will reroute all of the regional, intercity and freight trains outside of the Athens suburb of Acharnes, increasing speeds and free the current line exclusively for commuter train usage. This project will likely be supplemented by an upgrading of the Athens to Oinoi line. Upgrading of the Athens - Oinoi Line This project will upgrade the current line or create a new, parallel line. It has the same goal as the Elefsina-Thiva Line and will not be constructed if the aforementioned line gets the green light. Platy Bypass A diversion of the line eliminating the village of Platy, its station as well as a sharp curve just before it. The proposal was never seriously considered because the journey time cut would not be as much as the desired and because it would eliminate Platy Station, a major station for passengers transferring to regional trains.

## Rolling stock

### Passenger services

Currently, the Rolling Stock used for passenger services on the line varies. Diesel powered trains include the Stadler GTW are in operation around Athens, serving the largely unelectrified network of the city, while MAN 2000 DMUs and OSE Class 520 can be seen at rare occasions. The Class 220 Locomotive alongside railcars currently serves all Intercity and Higher Speed services on the unelectrified sections of the lines, whereas [Class 120](/source/OSE_Class_120) locomotives pull the cars on the electrified sections. Regional and Commuter services on the electrified sections are exclusively operated by [Class 460](/source/OSE_class_460) Siemens Desiro EMUs. Although the 30 Class 120 electric locomotives are enough to provide long-distance services on the network, regional rolling stock is going to be needed, since the Desiro trains are not going to be enough. Purchasing new rolling stock is the obvious choice, however, the difficult financial situation, it has also been purposed to convert some if not all Stadler GTWs to electric traction. [Trenitalia](/source/Trenitalia), the new owner of [TrainOSE](/source/TrainOSE), the sole operator of passenger trains in Greece announced in 2017 that new rolling stock, probably Italian, is going to be ordered sometime in the future.

In September 2017, Trenitalia announced that the [V250 trains](/source/V250_(train)), formerly operated on the [Fyra](/source/Fyra) service between Amsterdam, Brussels and Breda may be used for services between Athens and Thessaloniki.[11] However, in August 2018, Trenitalia instead tested [Frecciargento](/source/Frecciargento) [Class ETR 485](/source/FS_Class_ETR_480#Class_485) trains to operate on the Athens-Thessaloniki line in 2018–2019.[12] However, eventually Trenitalia opted for [class ETR 470](/source/FS_Class_ETR_470) Frecciabianca trains, converted to operate under instead of [15 kV 16,7 Hz AC](/source/15_kV_AC). These units were introduced in regular service in May 2022[5], and all were subsequently withdrawn due to maintenance issues by November 2024[8].

### Cargo services

For many years, Class A 501-510 Locomotives built by [MLW](/source/Montreal_Locomotive_Works) have been the main traction for freight services in Greece and are probably going to remain for many years. Class 220 Locomotives are frequently seen hauling cargo trains, although they are not as powerful and are optimized for passenger services. The only Electric Locomotive of Greece, the Class 120, is also seen hauling cargo services mainly on the Thessaloniki to Idomeni Line, but it is also optimized for passenger transportation.

## References

1. Κούρτη, Μαριάννα (2019-01-23). ["Την επόμενη βδομάδα σε κυκλοφορία η νέα σιδηροδρομική γραμμή «Τιθορέα-Λειανοκλάδι-Δομοκός» - Dnews"](https://www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/ellada/241797/tin-epomeni-vdomada-se-kykloforia-i-nea-sidirodromiki-grammi-tithorea-leianokladi-domokos) (in el-gr). *www.dnews.gr*. Retrieved 2026-01-13.

1. ["«Έπνιξε» στις ζημιές ο Daniel τον ΟΣΕ: Ξεπέρασαν τα 250 εκατ. ευρώ"](https://www.businessdaily.gr/epiheiriseis/123743_epnixe-stis-zimies-o-daniel-ton-ose-xeperasan-ta-250-ekat-eyro) (in Greek). *Business Daily*. 2024-09-20. Retrieved 2026-01-13.

1. ["Αλλαγές Δρομολογίων από 15/9/2025 | Hellenic Train"](http://www.hellenictrain.gr/allages-dromologion-apo-1592025) (in Greek). *www.hellenictrain.gr*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20251010175014/https://www.hellenictrain.gr/allages-dromologion-apo-1592025) 2025-10-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-13.

1. ["Kiato – Rododafni line in Greece opens following safety checks"](https://www.railjournal.com/infrastructure/kiato-rododafni-line-in-greece-opens-following-safety-checks/). *International Railway Journal*. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.

1. ["ΤΡΑΙΝΟΣΕ: Ξεκινούν στις 15 Μαΐου τα δρομολόγια για το «ασημένιο βέλος»"](https://www.kathimerini.gr/society/561844747/trainose-xekinoyn-stis-15-ma-oy-ta-dromologia-gia-to-asimenio-velos/) (in greek). *Η ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΗ*. 2022-05-06. Retrieved 2026-01-13.

1. ["Το «Ασημένιο Βέλος» και τα εμπόδια στο δίκτυο"](https://www.kathimerini.gr/society/561882529/to-asimenio-velos-kai-ta-empodia-sto-diktyo/) (in greek). *Η ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΗ*. 2022-05-30. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20251010175634/https://www.kathimerini.gr/society/561882529/to-asimenio-velos-kai-ta-empodia-sto-diktyo/) 2025-10-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-13.

1. ["Σιδηρόδρομος: Διπλοί συρμοί με έναν μηχανοδηγό και «επιδημία» βλαβών στα «ασημένια βέλη» - Νέες καταγγελίες"](https://www.ethnos.gr/greece/article/341454/sidhrodromosdiploisyrmoimeenanmhxanodhgokaiepidhmiablabonstaashmeniabelhneeskataggelies) (in Greek). *ΕΘΝΟΣ*. 2024-11-13. Retrieved 2026-01-13.

1. ["Σιδηρόδρομος: Νέες πολύωρες καθυστερήσεις, ενώ τέθηκε εκτός λειτουργίας το τελευταίο «Ασημένιο Βέλος»"](https://www.ethnos.gr/greece/article/342571/sidhrodromosneespolyoreskathysterhseisenotethhkeektosleitoyrgiastoteleytaioashmeniobelos) (in Greek). *ΕΘΝΟΣ*. 2024-11-21. Retrieved 2026-01-13.

1. ["Railway Infrastructure"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150716234421/http://www.ose.gr/en/25-about-ose/89-%CF%83%CE%B9%CE%B4%CE%B7%CF%81%CE%BF%CE%B4%CF%81%CE%BF%CE%BC%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%AE-%CF%85%CF%80%CE%BF%CE%B4%CE%BF%CE%BC%CE%AE-2). www.ose.gr. Archived from [the original](http://www.ose.gr/en/25-about-ose/89-%CF%83%CE%B9%CE%B4%CE%B7%CF%81%CE%BF%CE%B4%CF%81%CE%BF%CE%BC%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%AE-%CF%85%CF%80%CE%BF%CE%B4%CE%BF%CE%BC%CE%AE-2) on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2016.

1. ["PATRA – PIRGOS – KALAMATA"](https://www.ergose.gr/project/patra_pyrgos_kalamata/?lang=en). *ErgOSE.gr*. 21 March 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2019.

1. Duursma, Mark (1 September 2017). ["Italianen willen groeien in Nederlands openbaar vervoer"](https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2017/09/01/italianen-azen-op-nederlands-vervoer-12761508-a1571857) [Italians want to grow in Dutch public transport] (in Dutch). *nrc.nl*

1. ["Primi passi verso la Grecia per l'ETR.485-31"](http://www.ferrovie.it/portale/articoli/7727) [First steps toward Greece for ETR.485-31 trainset] (in Italian). *ferrovie.it*. 14 August 2018.

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [P.A.Th.E./P.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P.A.Th.E.%2FP.) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P.A.Th.E.%2FP.?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.