There are relatively few active narrow-gauge railways in Italy. I have prepared a list of ones. The list does not include industrial railways, narrow-gauge railways in Sardinia, or the Circumvesuviana railway in Sicily.
Narrow-gauge railways in Italy
Ferrovia Genoa – Casella – a narrow-gauge railway with a gauge of 1000 mm, leading from Piazza Manin to a station on a hill north of the city. The most famous narrow-gauge railway in Italy; it even appeared in the television program “The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys”. The route is electrified. The railway was opened in 1929. On selected days, you can ride in vintage vehicles.
No website available
Locarno – Domodossola railway – a narrow-gauge railway partially located in Switzerland and partially in Italy. Allegedly one of the most beautiful railway lines in Europe. It was built to a 1000 mm gauge. Total length of the route is 52 km (32 km in Italy, 20 km in Switzerland). The railway line was built in the 1920s and was largely destroyed by a flood in 1978 – the infrastructure was rebuilt. The one-way journey takes about 80 minutes. At Domodossola station, you can transfer to trains to Milan and Eurocity international trains
Locarno – Domodossola railway – official website
Il Treno della Sila – a heritage train comprised of a steam locomotive and vintage carriages running in the season between Moccone and San Nicola Silvana Mansio stations (13 km) on a 950 mm gauge line near Cosenza. The route passes through a section of the disused Cosenza – San Giovanni in Fiore railway line. The line is considered one of the most beautiful railway lines in Italy, passing through the famous Camigliati viaduct, 166 meters long. From the train’s windows, you can admire the Crati River valley and the artificial Cecita reservoir. The San Nicola-Silvana Mansio station, located at an altitude of 1404 meters above sea level, is the highest railway station in Italy. The journey takes one hour one way.
Il Treno della Sila – official website
Ferrovie Apulo Lucane – a company managing several narrow-gauge lines connecting the regions of Apulia and Basilicata. Regular passenger services operate on 950 mm gauge lines, and occasional heritage trains are also launched. Due to their location, tourists visiting Bari and its surroundings should consider including narrow-gauge lines in their travel plans. According to the company’s website, trains currently operate on the following routes: Bari – Matera, Bari – Potenza via Genzano, Bari – Gravina, and Avigliano – Potenza.
Ferrovie Apulo Lucane – official website
Ferrovia del Renon/Rittnerbahn – a narrow-gauge railway with a total length of 6.8 km. Most of the trains run on a 5.5 km section between Oberbozen/Soprabolzano and Klobenstein/Collalbo (5.5 km). The railway connects Bolzano with the Ritten plateau, located 1000 meters higher. Initially, the railway opened in August 1907, had a route length of 11.7 km; after the opening of a cable car and road in the 1960s, part of the route with a cogwheel was closed. On the closed section of the route, you can find, for example, an old railway tunnel.
No website available.
Trento – Male – Mezzana Railway – one of the most beautiful railway lines in Italy, serving well-known ski resorts in the Alps. Initially connecting Trento with Male, it was extended by 10 kilometers to Marileva station in 2002. The Marileva – Mezzana section was built in 2015-2016. On the Trento – Gardolo section, a dual-gauge track allows freight trains with a gauge of 1435 mm to pass. It is a picturesque mountain route. The Santa Giustina bridge, built in 1959 (78 meters long and 140 meters high), was the tallest railway bridge in the world for a time after it was completed. The entire journey (65 km) takes two hours.
Trentino Transporti – timetable
The list includes only the most important narrow-gauge railways in Italy. The compilation does not exhaust the subject.
Related articles:
Train travel in Italy
Heritage trains in Italy
Rack railways in Italy
Railway museums in Italy
