Southern Italy Updates

[Iskra]

Quite a lot going on in the South of Italy at the moment, so I just thought I’d post an update:

1) Naples to Bari Line is being upgraded to High Speed specifications to cut the journey time from 4 hours to 2.

2) A new High Speed line is being built South of Salerno to Reggio Calabria, aiming to reduce the Rome-Reggio journey time by 4 hours. This will also improve freight access to the busy port of Gioia Tauro.

3) On the Ionian Coast Line the route through Crotone is currently closed for electrification works. Reggio Calabria-Lecce Intercity trains are currently taking a substantial diversion to avoid Crotone, heading across to the opposite coast to Lamezia, diverging at Catanzaro and rejoining at Sibari.

4) Work on the Ferrovie Della Calabria (FDC) line between Catanzaro Lido FDC and Catanzaro Citta FDC continues albeit delayed. A new alignment and stations are being built. I am informed that the line should re-open in the Autumn, but several re-opening dates have already passed so take that with a pinch of salt. It’s certainly one of the more unknown, yet supremely impressive rail journeys in Europe, so I recommend a visit. It’s a rack railway, that curves within many tunnels to reach the top of the hilltop city.

5) The FDC have ordered six new hydrogen-powered multiple units to operate the line from Cosenza to Catanzaro, which suggests that the full line between the two cities will reopen, as it has been severed in the middle for a number of years now, with services running at each end. This will be another very scenic journey if it comes to fruition. The new railcars are due in 2026.

Links and texts to comply with forum rules:

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italys-new-high-speed-rail-line-looks-reverse-depopulation-lift-southern-economy-2025-04-11/#:~:text=Italy's%20new%20high%2Dspeed%20rail%20line%20looks%20to%20reverse%20depopulation%2C%20lift%20southern%20economy%20%7C%20Reuters.&text=The%20145%2Dkilometre%20(90%2Dmile)%20line%20will%20connect%20the,just%20two%20hours%2C%20against%20four%20at%20present.

SANT'AGATA DE' GOTI, Italy, April 11 (Reuters) - Italy's high-speed railway is finally pressing into the heart of the underdeveloped south, using European Union funds in the hope that the new network will help reverse years of depopulation and lift the lacklustre economy.
The 145-kilometre (90-mile) line will connect the cities of Naples on the Mediterranean coast to Bari on the shores of the Adriatic in just two hours, against four at present.
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The link, which is being upgraded and will also be managed by state-controlled railway group Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), is expected to be completed by 2028.

00:10'Anything goes': artist Yo****omo Nara as London exhibition opens



"It's a revolutionary project, two Italian ports and two seas will be connected," said Alessio Forestieri from construction company Pizzarotti, part of the consortium building the line, which also includes constructors Ghella and Itinera.
Costing just over 6 billion euros ($6.48 billion), almost a quarter of this will come from the EU's COVID-19 recovery fund.
Italy is the largest recipient of the fund and has been criticised for missing spending deadlines and constantly seeking revisions of its original plans. However, the high speed line is already being held up as a success story.
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The project is part of a broader FS strategy to invest some 60 billion euros in its network over the next 10 years, strengthening and extending services nationwide.
Despite operating more than 17,000 km of rail lines, Italy's network has been heavily skewed towards the wealthy north, leaving more remote, internal areas of the peninsula under-served, especially in the south.
More than 1,000 km of the FS tracks carry high-speed trains, but after reaching the southern-most point in 2009 -- the city of Salerno, close to Naples -- development further south faced constant delays because of persistent funding problems.
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A CHOICE​

The two-track line to Bari will replace the current, slow single line. All existing stations will be revamped, with a new one created in the remote area of Irpinia, inland from Naples.
Southern-focused think-tank Svimez estimates that, in the construction phase alone, the new line will generate new business worth more than 4 billion euros and 62,000 jobs.
Federica Favo, a 29-year old from Naples who works on one of the construction sites, says the project has helped her and many new graduates.
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"When I started studying civil engineering everyone said it was crazy, but now there's a real jobs market in the area. The base camp is like a town, which offers so many opportunities for the area," she told Reuters.
Italy's south, known as the "Mezzogiorno", is in dire need of a lift.
In the 10 years to 2022 almost 200,000 young graduates left the southern regions for central and northern Italy and a further 138,000 moved abroad, the latest Svimez data shows.

The think-tank has forecast that by 2080, the south will lose over 8 million residents -- its share of the total Italian population falling to 25.8% from 33.8% at present.
Giuseppe Cirillo, head of the fast-speed project for FS infrastructure unit RFI, said the new link could stem the exodus.
"Activating the line is crucial, especially for all those inland areas and villages that have been suffering severe depopulation in recent years," he told Reuters.
The line should allow people to keep living in their small hometowns and commute to larger cities to work, rather than uproot as they now have to do, he said.
Angela Lombardi, from the remote village of Savignano Irpino, said finally having a station will hugely broaden the travel and job opportunities for local residents.
"It's a first for our area," she said. "This line will give us a choice."
editing by Crispian Balmer and Gavin Jones
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Expansion of the Salerno-Reggio Calabria railway line

www.fsitaliane.it

This project involves the construction of a new railway line with High Speed characteristics for the Salerno-Reggio Calabria track, constituting a strategic passenger and freight route connecting the north and south of the country.
There are also plans to build several stops along the new line and to double the Paola-Cosenzasection through the new Santomarco Tunnel in order to upgrade the freight route to the Port of Gioia Tauro. The interventions will ensure greater accessibility to the railway system and the possibility of developing new passenger traffic along the north-south axis of the peninsula, which would also benefit connections to and from Sicily.
The entire route from Salerno to Reggio Calabria was divided into functional Lots. Considering the size and cost of the entire project, the study carried out identified possible intermediate scenarios in terms of time, defining amongst the various Lots the priorities that would produce the greatest benefits for the route.
The project has received public funding, including NRRP funds.
Lucio Menta was appointed Extraordinary Governmental Commissioner for completion of the works.

Advantages​

• Upon completion of the entire project, a reduction in the Rome-Reggio Calabria journey time of up to 4 hours depending on the operating model, beyond 2026.
• The new infrastructure will this facilitate the development of new passenger traffic along the north-south axis of the peninsula, also benefiting the connections to and from Sicily.
• The infrastructure will allow for the increase of freight traffic in supply to the port of Gioia Tauro.

2-300 km/h maximum speed
220 total kilometres
17,487 mld € in investments

Ferrovie della Calabria orders six hydrogen trains from Stadler - Electric and Hybrid Rail Technology

Ferrovie della Calabria, a transport firm operating in southern Italy, has ordered six hydrogen-powered narrow-gauge trains from Stadler Rail for use on the...

www.electricandhybridrail.com

Ferrovie della Calabria orders six hydrogen trains from Stadler​

News
1 min read
Ferrovie della Calabria, a transport firm operating in southern Italy, has ordered six hydrogen-powered narrow-gauge trains from Stadler Rail for use on the Cosenza to Catanzaro rail line.

The trains will have a maximum speed of 100km/h and will be 50m long. They are due to be delivered by December 2026 at a cost of €78m. They are being financed by Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan Complementary Fund.

According to reports, a new green hydrogen production plant is also being developed at Ferrovie della Calabria’s workshop in Cosenza, Calabria, Italy. More details on this project, as well as the hydrogen trains, are due to be released in the coming weeks.

Ferrovie della Calabria has also announced that it has awarded rail operator Ente Autonomo Volturno (EAV) a contract to modernize the Catanzaro – Cosenza railway line, enabling faster trains to operate on the tracks. This project is also being financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan Complementary Fund, at a cost of €188m.

“These are two very important goals, which allow us to look to the future with great optimism,” said Ernest Ferraro, director of Ferrovie della Calabria.
“With the speeding up of the line, moving between Cosenza and Catanzaro by train will be cheap and convenient and we expect a substantial growth in passengers. In addition, thanks to hydrogen, our trains will have a low environmental impact and this makes us particularly proud.”

 

[Chris Butler]

Thanks for the update. It explains what I'm seeing in planning a September 22 trip from Messina to Bari.

Right now (because of the diversion you mention) I could change into IC 562 (Villa San Giovanni - Reggio di Calabria - Bari) at Lamezia and do the journey with one change.

If I look at the September 22 timetable then IC 562 has returned to the route via Crotone and also starts at Reggio di Calabria (Centrale) so it's now two changes from Messina to Bari with a connection from Lamezia to Catanzaro Lido on Regionale #21587. It's also only an 11 minute connection at Catanzaro Lido.

This seemed very strange, but your post has now explained it completely.

Do you have any thoughts on whether the route via Crotone will be re-opened by Sept.22? If it is, I'm wondering whether the 11 minute connection at Catanzaro Lido is too tight to rely on. Mind you, I'm not sure there is any alternative other than staying overnight en-route since I can't start at Messina before 10:00.

 

[Iskra]

I have no knowledge of whether the route will be reopened by then unfortunately.

Are you crossing the Straits on a Trenitalia through ticket, or privately?

I’ve been travelling in the area for many years now and I’ve never had a connection be missed even when connections have been tight and trains have been delayed. The only serious disruption was one cancellation one time when an IC was cancelled at Sibari and I had to take a Regional train all the way back to Locri. It was slow but it got me there.

The risk with your journey is two fold, firstly; the ferry (in the event of a storm), and that’s the time of year when the weather can start to turn. Secondly, there are only two trains per day on the Reggio-Sibari-Taranto axis, so if anything goes wrong and you aren’t on the first train of the day there is little scope for recovery and no Regional train as a back up East of Sibari.

If you have the time I would overnight at Catanzaro Lido and continue the next day, accommodation should be plentiful there. Catanzaro Citta is worth a brief exploration, especially if the FdC line is operating by then.

It sounds an interesting trip and I’d be interested to hear how you get on

 

[Chris Butler]

Thanks.

The current plan is to cross the Straits with FS (using our Interrail pass). I think we'll probably stick with the current plan and for the reasons you cite find somewhere in Catanzaro Lido to stay if we do miss the connection.

It's such a near miss though. With IC Intercity #562 currently starting at Villa San Giovanni, but retreating to Reggio di Calabria in September the connection at Reggio di Calabria will then be just 3 minutes which is clearly too short.

I may look at other ways of getting from Messina to Reggio di Calabria because getting Intercity #562 from there would be a direct service to Bari (albeit a very long one).

One other question. What are the Reggio di Calabria - Catanzaro and the Catanzaro - Taranto sections like from a point of view of interest and scenery ?

 

[Iskra]

It wouldn’t be included in your pass but there is (or maybe was- research needed) a fast catamaran service that operates from Messina direct to Reggio Calabria (with a bit of a walk or a short train/taxi ride to the main station). That may help you at the start of your journey. The catamaran was pretty pricey though- I think it was around 15 Euro compared to 3.50 on the FS ferry.

Reggio Calabria-Catanzaro is pretty good- you start with distant views of Etna and the Straits of Messina. The line hugs the rocky coast. You have the beautifully blue Ionian sea on one side and a wild-west looking series of desert/mountains before it becomes a bit greener. Basically coast and mountains all the way, with some interesting mountain peaks and castles if you keep a close look out.

Catanzaro-Taranto is similar although less dramatic in terms of scenery. You do pass close to a nice castle and the area around Crotone is a little different being more rolling hills and plains. It’s all fairly pleasant but not remarkable. There is more rail interest on this section as you pass Catanzaro and Taranto sheds. It gets quite industrial close to Taranto.

 

[Lxd2]

I agree that the direct fast ferry from Messina to Reggio Calabria could be a good option. I travelled on it last year. It is operated by Liberty Lines, runs fairly frequently, and only costs €4 one way. In Messina it leaves from the same place as the FS BluJet fast ferries, which is close to Messina Centrale station. But be aware that the ferry terminal in Reggio Calabria is about 3km from Reggio Calabria Centrale station, so allow plenty of time for that connection. It is a nice walk along the sea front, or there are taxi and bus options.

Liberty Lines website:

Liberty Lines Sito Ufficiale | Acquista i Biglietti online

Navi veloci, aliscafi dalla Sicilia alle sue isole più belle e da Trieste alla Costa Istriana. Acquista online biglietti alle migliori tariffe con Liberty Lines

www.libertylines.it

 

[Chris Butler]

a fast catamaran service that operates from Messina direct to Reggio Calabria

I agree that the direct fast ferry from Messina to Reggio Calabria could be a good option.

there are taxi and bus options.

Thanks to you both. I actually found that option myself and it does look like it works. It's nice to have confirmation. As Lxd2 said, it's 3km+ to Centrale and (per Google, so not 100% reliable) the buses are hourly so it'll need a taxi ride, but that's fine.

I should be able to get the train to Bari with one hour to spare. Still no backup though. It's the 10:00 sailing from Messina or nothing !

 

[nwales58]

But be aware that the ferry terminal in Reggio Calabria is about 3km from Reggio Calabria Centrale station, so allow plenty of time for that connection. It is a nice walk along the sea front, or there are taxi and bus options.

Also only about 500m from RdC Lido station served by the usual random interval Regionale services to Centrale as well as northbound Regionale towards Lamezia Terme Centrale and beyond.

 

[Iskra]

I think 3km is a bit of an over-estimate too. I’ve walked it and it’s a fair walk, but it definitely isn’t 3km.

 

[Snow1964]

There is an update that one of the big tunnels on new Naples-Bari line has been dug, the mile long San Lorenzo. 4th of 15 new tunnels completed.

Completed, the excavation of the San Lorenzo Tunnel on New Naples–Bari High-Speed/High-Capacity line​

29/09/2025​

A new significant milestone has been reached for the new Naples–Bari High Speed/High Capacity railway line: the excavation of the San Lorenzo Tunnel has been completed. The tunnel is 1,650 m long and located in the municipality of San Lorenzo Maggiore, in the province of Benevento.
This brings the number of completed tunnels in this section to four, following the completion of the Reventa, Limata, and Ponte tunnels.
The San Lorenzo Tunnel is the second longest in the Telese–Vitulano section and was built using traditional methods combined with innovative techniques to address the specific geological characteristics of the terrain.
The works were commissioned by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, under the supervision of Italferr (both companies part of the FS Italiane Group), and awarded to the Telese Scarl Consortium, comprising Ghella, Itinera, Salcef, and Coget Impianti.
The future Naples–Bari HS/HC line will stretch over 145 km and include 15 tunnels, 25 viaducts, and 20 stations and stops along the route. The project is part of the TEN-T Scandinavian–Mediterranean European railway corridor and is also financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). It is included in the FS Italiane Group’s “Cantieri Parlanti” initiative, which showcases major ongoing infrastructure projects, with the goal of informing citizens and local communities about the expected benefits and construction progress.
For further information click here and it/251 for the tunnelbuilder archive. Visit https://www.fsitaliane.it/, https://www.ghella.com and https://www.itinera-spa.it/. 39/25.

Completed, the excavation of the San Lorenzo Tunnel on New Naples–Bari High-Speed/High-Capacity line - tunnelbuilder.com News

<p>A new significant milestone has been reached for the new Naples–Bari High Speed/High Capacity railway line: the excavation of the San Lorenzo

tunnelbuilder.com

Meanwhile (more Italy wide) the first of the new Frecciarossa 1000, of which 36 are on order (+10 options) have started to be delivered. These are for International services and equipped to operate in 7 countries

Next-Generation Frecciarossa 1000: designed for Italy and Europe​

Developed by Hitachi Rail and produced at its Pistoia and Naples plants, the new Frecciarossa 1000 trains are designed for both domestic and international service. They are compatible with seven European rail networks – France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

The trains are certified for a maximum speed of 360 km/h and will operate at up to 300 km/h in regular service. A new advanced traction system improves efficiency and energy management, making the trains technologically superior to the existing fleet.

Next-Generation Frecciarossa 1000 enters service

Trenitalia, part of the FS Group, has unveiled its new-generation Frecciarossa 1000, which entered service with a preview trip on the Rome–Naples high-speed line ahead of its official launch on Sunday, 28 September.

www.railwaypro.com

 

[Iskra]

There is a nation wide rail strike today and yesterday although a limited service is still running. I did still manage to see a D445 locomotive being taken off somewhere by an electric locomotive at Rosarno.



I am doing an Italia in Tour rail pass for three days from Sunday. On Sunday I intend to head to Catanzaro to see how the works on the Ferrovie Della Calabria line from Catanzaro Lido to Catanzaro Citta are progressing and hopefully get a date for when the line will re-open. On Monday I’m heading over the Straits of Messina to Palermo and possibly doing the line to Agrigento too. There has however been disruptive flash flooding in the Agrigento area recently so that part of the plan is tentative.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Oct 2025 ==

Another brief tidbit: the Ionian Coast IC trains that run Reggio Calabria to Bari (previously only to Taranto and loco hauled) have now been further extended, this time at the Western end. They now start from Villa San Giovanni. This could be useful for ferry connections to Sicily. The new IC units on this route are very comfortable.

 

[chris2]

Would be interested to hear updates on the railway projects in Sicily as well. I was there in the Spring and there was a lot going on there too.

 

[Snow1964]

Would be interested to hear updates on the railway projects in Sicily as well. I was there in the Spring and there was a lot going on there too.

There is a summary of the Italian rail projects on this link

Opere Strategiche

www.fsitaliane.it

It is in diagram form with new routes / sections being improved, with timelines, costs etc. Can click on each project and get more details, most of the key details are obvious, but the text is in Italian (although you can copy it and paste into google translate etc)

 

[Iskra]

Some observations from my travels today:

The Ferrovia Della Calabria (FdC) narrow gauge line from Catanzaro to Catanzaro Citta has still not reopened. However, I visited the Lido station today to check on progress. The station has been refurbished to a high standard externally and the track has been re-alligned with some newly built modern platforms. These look complete and it looks like the finishing touches are being added. A small toilet block has also been built. The FdC ticket office was closed but I don’t know if that’s just because it is Sunday. I tried asking the ticket office at the FS Catanzaro Lido station if they knew when the line would re-open, but they didn’t and they told me about the replacement bus service.




I then travelled the FS line from Catanzaro Lido to Lamezia Terme and was treated to declassified first class in an increasingly rare Aln Railcar. There was no obvious signs of electrification on this line.

At Lamezia Terme, I noted that the Bari-Villa San Giovanni IC services via Catanzaro are still diverting inland at Sibari to Lamezia and then taking the Branchline to Catanzaro from there. This leads me to believe that electrification works are continuing between Sibari and Crotone where I have previously observed OHLE being installed.

I’m having a couple of hours at Lamezia before completing a circuit by taking the coastal route South to Reggio Calabria via Tropea and then the Ionian Coast route back to my starting point at Locri.

 

[Chris Butler]

Another brief tidbit: the Ionian Coast IC trains that run Reggio Calabria to Bari (previously only to Taranto and loco hauled) have now been further extended, this time at the Western end. They now start from Villa San Giovanni. This could be useful for ferry connections to Sicily. The new IC units on this route are very comfortable.

Just back from our Interrail to Italy and back.

Our Reggio Calabria to Bari run was on the day of the (first) national strike for Gaza which was (luckily for us) completely ignored as far as I could see.

The journey was uneventful, but very pleasant in the sunshine especially the very long stretches alongside the Ionian Sea.
As you say the new (hybrid) units are comfortable even for a near eight hour journey. The catering is limited to a vending machine, but there's a Spar shop near Reggio station where we stocked up on very good cheese, meat, fruit and olives for the journey.

As you say the extension to Villa san Giovanni offer a shorter trip from ferry to station if you are coming from Messina. The timing didn't work for us as we had to drop of the Avis rental though.

Thanks for your help in planning this leg.

 

[Iskra]

Just back from our Interrail to Italy and back.

Our Reggio Calabria to Bari run was on the day of the (first) national strike for Gaza which was (luckily for us) completely ignored as far as I could see.

The journey was uneventful, but very pleasant in the sunshine especially the very long stretches alongside the Ionian Sea.
As you say the new (hybrid) units are comfortable even for a near eight hour journey. The catering is limited to a vending machine, but there's a Spar shop near Reggio station where we stocked up on very good cheese, meat, fruit and olives for the journey.

As you say the extension to Villa san Giovanni offer a shorter trip from ferry to station if you are coming from Messina. The timing didn't work for us as we had to drop of the Avis rental though.

Thanks for your help in planning this leg.

Yes the coast always looks nice when the sun shines.

Although a vending machine may seem a paltry offering, that is an improvement on the old loco-hauled stock, which had no catering at all. It must be hard for Trenitalia to make catering work, when many stations have a cafe in them and many more have something nearby that will sell food and drink of excellent quality at reasonable prices. I always stock up for a long journey though.

I’m at Villa San Giovanni currently awaiting the ferry, and it appears that the old diesel shunters that loaded trains onto the ferry have been replaced by some larger white Vossloh shunters that look a bit like our Class 18. Reggio Di Calabria depot appears to be a shadow of its former self now that more trains are units or have a loco at both ends semi-permanently.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Oct 2025 ==

Edit: I’m now at Messina Centrale station which is being renovated. The old orange diesel shunters are still working on this side and there are the new white ones too. One of the orange shunters has been used to haul the same D345 loco that I saw being hauled at Rosarno on Friday, off the train ferry at this side.

 

[AdamWW]

I’m at Villa San Giovanni currently awaiting the ferry, and it appears that the old diesel shunters that loaded trains onto the ferry have been replaced by some larger white Vossloh shunters that look a bit like our Class 18.

There was one of those in Villa san Giovanni when I was there in 2023, but the old orange ones were doing all the work at both ends.

 

[aswilliamsuk]

We (my wife and I) did Roma Termini to Catania on the 0726 train a few summers back (EUR50 each for the one-way journey in first class - a bargain for the best part of 10 hours). The journey down the coast is full of extraordinary scenery - and as you can just (!) see Stromboli or the clouds from it on the horizon, it's one of the only rail journeys I can think of where you get to pass three volcanoes. The train gets rather warm when they have to turn the aircon off at each end of the ferry, though (when it's unpowered and being shunted).

I was tipped off by an Italian friend about the Arancini on the ferry across the Strait of Messina, and she wasn't wrong - it was even better than the giant ones at the Catania Borgo station cafe I had a decade before...

 

[Iskra]

We (my wife and I) did Roma Termini to Catania on the 0726 train a few summers back (EUR50 each for the one-way journey in first class - a bargain for the best part of 10 hours). The journey down the coast is full of extraordinary scenery - and as you can just (!) see Stromboli or the clouds from it on the horizon, it's one of the only rail journeys I can think of where you get to pass three volcanoes. The train gets rather warm when they have to turn the aircon off at each end of the ferry, though (when it's unpowered and being shunted).

I was tipped off by an Italian friend about the Arancini on the ferry across the Strait of Messina, and she wasn't wrong - it was even better than the giant ones at the Catania Borgo station cafe I had a decade before...

I think prices have gone through the roof recently. I remember Naples-Reggio first class for 9 euros not too many years ago! The sleeper prices in particular seem to have rocketed. But, it’s still cheaper than the UK and more relaxing than driving or flying.

They aren’t over fond of passengers remaining in the carriages on the ferry ride, but if you have lots of luggage and you aren’t bothered about the views then it makes sense to stay put- I agree it does get very warm. I’ve seen the ferry Arancini before, but I always thought they looked a bit sad. Not the Arancini themselves, but the way that there’s usually about four of them sat in an otherwise spartan display counter. Next time I find myself on the train ferry I will try one. I have had espresso before from that counter and it was decent.

Yesterday, I planned to do Locri-Reggio-Villa San Giovanni-Ferry-Messina-Palermo. However, I identified an opportunity to do the line up to Agrigento as well with a tight change. This was an excellent decision, as it is a stunning journey through the mountains. Agrigento station is also architecturally wonderful. I was also able to squeeze in a trip to the nearby Valley of the Temples, which was also a sight very much worth seeing. I then took the train down to Palermo where I overnighted.

This morning I’ve done Palermo Tram Line one and I’m now on the Fast Regional train to Messina.

- - - -

I can’t give any updates on the railways of Sicily, as the lines on this trip I haven’t travelled before so I’m not aware of what has changed.

However, something that I have noticed, is that filming trains at major stations seems to attract a lot more attention than previously, so I am contemplating whether there has been a change in policy. Over many years I’ve had virtually no bother over filming across Italy. However, in the last two days I have been challenged twice by station staff wearing blue security vests (note: the railway police haven’t been bothered at all). At Lamezia Terme I positioned myself at the extreme end of the platform to be out of the way. After about an hour and a half of filming, a security guard came to me and told me I wasn’t authorised to film. After a bit of friendly discussion, he agreed that I could continue to film as long as I didn’t use my collapsible tri-pod and if I moved back along the platform to be underneath the station canopy. I only had one train of interest left, which was due imminently so I filmed that then left. At Messina yesterday, I was filming the IC’s ahead of them going onto the ferry with their battery loco’s, again far down the platform so as to be out of the way. Two young security guards came up to me and asked to see my ticket. I showed them my Italia In Tour ticket which they were impressed by and seemed to diffuse their suspicions, they then asked me where I was going, told me where my platform was, reminded me that my ticket isn’t valid on IC services and informed me that I must use the underpass to change platforms. They were pleasant and polite, but it’s all a bit unnecessary.

I’m not sure if there have been incidents, or if these new security staff that have appeared at stations are over-eager/bored and just want to look like they are doing something, or if there has been a change in policy. The railway police must love the security staff, as they now have more time to stand around smoking.

 

[eastwestdivide]

The train gets rather warm when they have to turn the aircon off at each end of the ferry, though (when it's unpowered and being shunted).

They also lock the toilets - my train earlier this year had toilets that would have emptied direct onto the deck! Nobody mentioned getting off the train while on the ferry.

 

[AdamWW]

They aren’t over fond of passengers remaining in the carriages on the ferry ride, but if you have lots of luggage and you aren’t bothered about the views then it makes sense to stay put

When I did it in 2023, some people seemed to stay on but when I stood in the doorway taking photos of the other portion being shunted on I was told to go upstairs and take photos from there (which wasn't, in my view, a compatible replacement).

They were happy for passengers to be walking across the deck while carriages were moving. Whatever the risk of staying in the coaches is, I would have thought it less than that.

However, something that I have noticed, is that filming trains at major stations seems to attract a lot more attention than previously, so I am contemplating whether there has been a change in policy. Over many years I’ve had virtually no bother over filming across Italy.

I've rarely had problems taking (still) photographs anywhere in Europe, but at Villa San Giovanni I was taking a photograph of the new engine being put on and told that I wasn't allowed to take photos there.

 

[Iskra]

They also lock the toilets - my train earlier this year had toilets that would have emptied direct onto the deck! Nobody mentioned getting off the train while on the ferry.

You are meant to get off, but there are always some people that don’t. Personally, I would always get off for fresh air and the views. The odds of the ship being involved in an accident are very slim, but if you were down below in a railway carriage and something went wrong I think your chances of reaching safety would be very slim.

When I did it in 2023, some people seemed to stay on but when I stood in the doorway taking photos of the other portion being shunted on I was told to go upstairs and take photos from there (which wasn't, in my view, a compatible replacement).

They were happy for passengers to be walking across the deck while carriages were moving. Whatever the risk of staying in the coaches is, I would have thought it less than that.



I've rarely had problems taking (still) photographs anywhere in Europe, but at Villa San Giovanni I was taking a photograph of the new engine being put on and told that I wasn't allowed to take photos there.

I had the opposite experience; one of the ferry staff showed me exactly where to stand to get the best angle and the incoming train dramatically hitting the buffers

They can get a bit sensitive at ports for security reasons, which I understand to an extent. However, it doesn’t make too much sense when they are open to the public!

- - -

Overall, they still seem to be relaxed but two minor incidents in two days seems to be more than just coincidence. The drivers were still tooting and flashing their lights. Mixed messages!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Oct 2025 ==

It has just occurred to me while departing Messina, that the RFI ferries that operate across the straits are all extremely dated and are likely to need replacing soon. Is there any such program or are they going to be expected to soldier on until a bridge is built?

Edit: I have now found out that low-emission train ferries are under construction to replace the existing fleet.

 

[AdamWW]

Edit: I have now found out that low-emission train ferries are under construction to replace the existing fleet.

I thought they already had new ferries in operation.

You are meant to get off, but there are always some people that don’t. Personally, I would always get off for fresh air and the views. The odds of the ship being involved in an accident are very slim, but if you were down below in a railway carriage and something went wrong I think your chances of reaching safety would be very slim.

It certainly wasn't made obvious when I used the train ferry that one was supposed to get out.

Of course - as with road vehicles - you are allowed (and indeed supposed to be) "down below" before the ferry docks and serious accidents can occur even in a harbour.

 

[Iskra]

I thought they already had new ferries in operation.



It certainly wasn't made obvious when I used the train ferry that one was supposed to get out.

Of course - as with road vehicles - you are allowed (and indeed supposed to be) "down below" before the ferry docks and serious accidents can occur even in a harbour.

The internet says they are in service but today I have only seen multiple older types, some looking worse for wear.

 

[Tester]

I thought they already had new ferries in operation.



It certainly wasn't made obvious when I used the train ferry that one was supposed to get out.

Of course - as with road vehicles - you are allowed (and indeed supposed to be) "down below" before the ferry docks and serious accidents can occur even in a harbour.

Passengers are most certainly not roused from their sleeping berths.

 

[Iskra]

Passengers are most certainly not roused from their sleeping berths.

I’ve only used the daytime ferry IC services, where once everyone was ejected and the carriage locked and another time everyone was encouraged to leave but a handful ignored this message.

 

[Tester]

I’ve only used the daytime ferry IC services, where once everyone was ejected and the carriage locked and another time everyone was encouraged to leave but a handful ignored this message.

Even during daytime crossings, I've only ever been invited to leave, never compelled.

Not to doubt you, but just like here, it shows how inconsistent experiences can be!

 

[Iskra]

I am pleased to report that the stunning Ferrovie Della Calabria line between Catanzaro Lido and Catanzaro Citta has reopened on its new alignment. On the 14km line, there will now be an all stops service and a limited-stop service. The old alignment has become a cycle path.

The highlight of this line is the sharply curved, spiralling rack and pinion section that climbs from the base of the hill to the top of the ancient Hilltop city, while going in and out of tunnels. I would highly reccomend a trip on this line. It is then possible to travel further into the mountains on older railcars and ultimately all the way to the other coast of Italy via a scenic Rail Replacement bus (currently at least). It's an inexpensive and epic journey. A new branch line to Germaneto is also under construction.

 

[TTA]

I am pleased to report that the stunning Ferrovie Della Calabria line between Catanzaro Lido and Catanzaro Citta has reopened on its new alignment. On the 14km line, there will now be an all stops service and a limited-stop service. The old alignment has become a cycle path.

The highlight of this line is the sharply curved, spiralling rack and pinion section that climbs from the base of the hill to the top of the ancient Hilltop city, while going in and out of tunnels. I would highly reccomend a trip on this line. It is then possible to travel further into the mountains on older railcars and ultimately all the way to the other coast of Italy via a scenic Rail Replacement bus (currently at least). It's an inexpensive and epic journey. A new branch line to Germaneto is also under construction.

Looking at the website I can't tell which of the two timetables is in operation - the one with the last train back down the hill at 2030 or the one that finishes around 6!

 

[Iskra]

Looking at the website I can't tell which of the two timetables is in operation - the one with the last train back down the hill at 2030 or the one that finishes around 6!

I’m looking to visit the line in May, so I’ll see what I can find out and report back.