italian trains-do they run on time

They run pretty much on time. Had a 20 minute delay on Vernazza last year due to track maintenance; every other train on time! 25 minutes is plenty of time. Be ready to get off when then train stops in Milan, know your train number for Monterosso connection and look at the "big board" to find your "binario" (track). We had a 7 minute change in a small station once. Made it with minutes to spare.

Regional trains are not as reliable as the Intercity and Eurostar trains but 25 minutes should give you enough time. Be sure to find out which track your Intercity train leaves on before you get to Milano as the station there is huge. The person at the counter in Lecco should be able to tell you that, as should the ticket checker on the regional train. BTW, if a train is late, you should see the word "Ritardo" on the board followed by how many minutes late it is/will be.

Thank you. I do know our train number so will look for the board or preferably as suggested find out beforehand. We are in Bellagio for 4 days and will be over at Varenna one day where there is a station. 20mins late would have us miss the train though and we have already prebooked. Also worried about getting lost in milan Centrale. Any idea how far we would have to walk to change platforms and are there any steps?

Milano Centrale has a bad reputation ( huge, confusing, pickpockets, etc.) but we felt that was undeserved. If you are simply changing trains there (not buying tickets, finding the restroom, etc.) it is very straghtforward. The station is an "end" station, meaning trains end there rather than going through the station. To change platforms, you don't have to go down steps and under the track. After you get off your train from Lecco, simply follow everyone walking toward the front of the train. This will take you to the lobby area and you can find the "departures" board and walk to your next track, all on the same level. The station has 24 tracks, numbered from left to right as you face the trains. Our trains to and from Varenna ran on Track 7 or 8 if I remember correctly. Our train from Monterosso came in far to the right (higher number track). We had no problem making the connection with a 25-minute space between the trains.

that was very very helpful Lola. We feel very comfortable with the changeover now BUT Guess our only problem is whether to trust that the Lecco link is on time---- and no-one can promise us this.
Will probably take the 1 hour earlier bus/train to be sure and it will all go to clockwork and we will be sitting on the station for an extra hour as well as getting up an hour eatlier. The joys of travel!!!!!!! Are there coffee shops at MIlan Centrale?

Yes, there are lots of cages, bars, gelateria, etc. You can see a list on the station website. Www.grandistazione.it. And look on the left for Milano Centrale, and under that is "eat and drink". There are also shops.

Lola, Please check that link. At least right now I'm getting a "cannot be found" error. I found it. It's www.grandistazioni.it.

Do Italian trains run on time? Wasn't that Benito Mussolini's greatest accomplishment.

That's actually a myth Ed, the trains didn't run on time under Mussolini. It was political propaganda meant to convince the populace that his regime was fixing things.