Ferrovia Circumetnea and the Catania Metro
The lines of the historic rail line around Etna are slowly being swallowed by extension of the Catania Metro system.
These two rail lines in eastern Sicily, are intimately linked . Firstly because they are both owned by the same company but secondly because the historic, narrow guage, deisel powered Circumetnea route is gradually being eaten up by extension of the city of Catania’s Metro. This is an ultra modern standard guage, overhead electric, system which runs, for much of its length, over (or under) the former track bed of the historic line. In June 2024 an even greater length of the Circumetnea, from Calania Borgo station to Paterno, was taken out of service to allow conversion to the electric standard guage Metro system.
The 950mm narrow guage Ferrovia Circumetnea Railway was built between 1895 and 1898 and almost circumnavigates Mount Etna during a 3 hour trip. Obviously it was originally steam hauled but since the 1930s passengers have been carried on deisel powered railcars and, more latterly, on deisel powered multiple units. The traffic is a mix of tourists wishing to take in the fantastic and varied views of Etna (and the old lava fields) and locals moving between towns and villages on the line and both the city of Catania (now via the metro) and the Giarre station. The latter sration is in easy walking distance of the Giarre-Riposto station which serves trains on the Catania-Messina main line.
Because of their heritage and tourism value several of the older deisel motive power units are still in use. However their replacement with modern, air conditioned, units means that one is not always guaranteed a ride on a historic train. You may experience the unusual event of someone moaning when a new , air conditioned, train turns up rather than an old one. The type of train can rarely be predicted.
At the Catania end the historic line used to go via Catania Italia Station to Catania Central but in the early 1990s the section between Catania Central and Catania Borgo Station was converted to take the Metro trains and moved underground for most of its length. Catania Borgo thus became the Circumetnea southern terminus with visitors arriving at Catania Central being able travel via the Metro to Borgo.
In July 2024 the line between Catania Borgo and Paterno was suspended, along with 8 stations, to allow conversion to the Metro system (taking about 18km off the historic route). Until the Metro extension is completed a bus replacement service will operate but as the extension proceeds new Metro stations are opening as they become available. One assumes that the changes are, quite rightly, in response to the climate crisis and eventually the entire Circumetnea will run on the 3000V overhead system (this is almost unique amongst metro systems) but one expects that once outside the built up area the tracks will remain on the surface to maintain the views of Etna and thus the tourist value of the line. We must hope that much of the historic railway architecture is maintained too. It is unlikely that the historic trains can continue to run if the conversion becomes completed, even on special occasions, because of the required guage change, but, hopefully someone will find a way to preserve at least some of these historic machines in working condition.
So, if your attraction is, even in part, the historic rolling stock rather than the amazing scenery, you should travel on the Circumetnea whilst you get a chance to see them but there is no real rush, the newest extension is not due to fully open until 2027, and after that there is a long way to go.
Know Before You Go
The pin for this place is dropped at the station in Randazzo because it is here that there is best chance of seeing historic rolling stock. These days a trip around the full length will be almost certain to involve a change at Randazzo.
It must be a matter of opinion but the Etna views are perhaps better on the section from Ripposto to Randazzo.
If you get off a train at the, main line, Giarre-Riposto station to catch the Circumetnea in an anticlockwise direction, exit the station with a slight left trend across the square then walk up the street and take the first left. Head for the yellow building you see which is the Circumetnea station.
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