European Railroad Discussion > Ferrovia Circumetnea: Around Mt. Etna, not to it or through it

The Ferrovia Circumetnea (FCE) is another private, narrow gauge (950 mm) railway that loops all the way around Mt. Etna from Riposto on the Trenitalia mainline between Messina and Catania to Catania. It is single track, non-electrified. It has a mix of older and newer equipment. This was perhaps the route that I was most looking forward to and I was not disappointed. We rode approximately 1/3 of the line from Adrano on the west to Randazzo on the north. Much of the section that we rode was rocky with cacti and wildflowers, sharp curves and a substantial grade at one point with a steep horseshoe curve.

1. A quick reading of the posted timetable at the Adrano station told me that a southbound train should arrive just before our northbound train so I set up at the north end of the station for the southbound arrival resulting in my first and favorite shot. This shot has it all: a clean rail diesel car in an attractive 'Italian' scheme, a signal, poppies blooming, the Italian penchant for painting the sides of the rails white, and, of course, the massive Mt. Etna (with snow!) in the background.

2. The same RDC making its stop under the covered platform.

3. For better or worse, our train arrives in the form of a modern DMU.

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4. At the next station of Bronte, I snapped this picture of an older RDC. I like the logo but I can't say I understand all the red circles (and larger faded white ones).

5. At the Randazzo station there was quite a bit of equipment parked about. Here is another model of RDC.

6. The old and the new at Randazzo. My train is at left and the oldest RDC that I saw is on the right.

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7. A roster shot of a vintage FCE rail diesel car at Randazzo.

8. Another RDC at Randazzo. I saw three total of this model.

9. A final shot at Randazzo of my modern two-car DMU at the station. Not sure if 'Vulcano' is a unique name or whether they are all labeled this way.

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NMlurker Wrote:
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> The Ferrovia Circumetnea (FCE) is another private,
> narrow gauge (950 mm) railway that loops all the
> way around Mt. Etna from Riposto on the Trenitalia
> mainline between Messina and Catania to Catania.
> It is single track, non-electrified. It has a mix
> of older and newer equipment. This was perhaps the
> route that I was most looking forward to and I was
> not disappointed. We rode approximately 1/3 of the
> line from Adrano on the west to Randazzo on the
> north. Much of the section that we rode was rocky
> with cacti and wildflowers, sharp curves and a
> substantial grade at one point with a steep
> horseshoe curve.

Interesting post and pictures, but where in the world are you talking about?

longliveSP Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> NMlurker Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The Ferrovia Circumetnea (FCE) is another
> private,
> > narrow gauge (950 mm) railway that loops all
> the
> > way around Mt. Etna from Riposto on the
> Trenitalia
> > mainline between Messina and Catania to
> Catania.
> > It is single track, non-electrified. It has a
> mix
> > of older and newer equipment. This was perhaps
> the
> > route that I was most looking forward to and I
> was
> > not disappointed. We rode approximately 1/3 of
> the
> > line from Adrano on the west to Randazzo on the
> > north. Much of the section that we rode was
> rocky
> > with cacti and wildflowers, sharp curves and a
> > substantial grade at one point with a steep
> > horseshoe curve.
>
> Interesting post and pictures, but where in the
> world are you talking about?

The OP's previous post ought to give you a clue

Mt. Etna, Europe's most active volcano and kind of famous, is on the island of Sicily, part of Italy.

longliveSP Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> NMlurker Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The Ferrovia Circumetnea (FCE) is another
> private,
> > narrow gauge (950 mm) railway that loops all
> the
> > way around Mt. Etna from Riposto on the
> Trenitalia
> > mainline between Messina and Catania to
> Catania.
> > It is single track, non-electrified. It has a
> mix
> > of older and newer equipment. This was perhaps
> the
> > route that I was most looking forward to and I
> was
> > not disappointed. We rode approximately 1/3 of
> the
> > line from Adrano on the west to Randazzo on the
> > north. Much of the section that we rode was
> rocky
> > with cacti and wildflowers, sharp curves and a
> > substantial grade at one point with a steep
> > horseshoe curve.
>
> Interesting post and pictures, but where in the
> world are you talking about?


Reading comprehension is required!

NMlurker Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mt. Etna, Europe's most active volcano and kind of
> famous, is on the island of Sicily, part of Italy.

Thank you

PHall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> longliveSP Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > NMlurker Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > The Ferrovia Circumetnea (FCE) is another
> > private,
> > > narrow gauge (950 mm) railway that loops all
> > the
> > > way around Mt. Etna from Riposto on the
> > Trenitalia
> > > mainline between Messina and Catania to
> > Catania.
> > > It is single track, non-electrified. It has a
> > mix
> > > of older and newer equipment. This was
> perhaps
> > the
> > > route that I was most looking forward to and
> I
> > was
> > > not disappointed. We rode approximately 1/3
> of
> > the
> > > line from Adrano on the west to Randazzo on
> the
> > > north. Much of the section that we rode was
> > rocky
> > > with cacti and wildflowers, sharp curves and
> a
> > > substantial grade at one point with a steep
> > > horseshoe curve.
> >
> > Interesting post and pictures, but where in the
> > world are you talking about?
>
>
> Reading comprehension is required!

Just reread it twice. No where is it stated where it is. Sure, it mentions a land feature, but unless someone knows what that is or is forced to do a separate Google search...

Remember, we are all not MrKnowItAllPostingCapitanObvious responses.

 

Paying attention in school might have helped.

longliveSP Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> NMlurker Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The Ferrovia Circumetnea (FCE) is another
> private,
> > narrow gauge (950 mm) railway that loops all
> the
> > way around Mt. Etna from Riposto on the
> Trenitalia
> > mainline between Messina and Catania to
> Catania.
> > It is single track, non-electrified. It has a
> mix
> > of older and newer equipment. This was perhaps
> the
> > route that I was most looking forward to and I
> was
> > not disappointed. We rode approximately 1/3 of
> the
> > line from Adrano on the west to Randazzo on the
> > north. Much of the section that we rode was
> rocky
> > with cacti and wildflowers, sharp curves and a
> > substantial grade at one point with a steep
> > horseshoe curve.
>
> Interesting post and pictures, but where in the
> world are you talking about?

longliveSP Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Just reread it twice. No where is it stated where
> it is. Sure, it mentions a land feature, but
> unless someone knows what that is or is forced to
> do a separate Google search...
>
> Remember, we are all not
> MrKnowItAllPostingCapitanObvious responses.

Italy is mentioned

-  "Vulcano" is the name given to this series of four two-section dmu's by [ it appears ] the builder, Newag of Poland
-  Information on the older cars in the FCE fleet, as well as a lot of other motive power including FS, can be found on the Internet at the excellent 'Rotabili italiani' website;  in this instance just look under Automotors / narrow gauge / concessions / diesel electric / FCE.

This has been another terrific post, with great photos.  Thank you !!

With best regards, SZ

Steinzeit2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> -  Information on the older cars in the FCE
> fleet, as well as a lot of other motive power
> including FS, can be found on the Internet at the
> excellent 'Rotabili italiani' website;  in this
> instance just look under Automotors / narrow gauge
> / concessions / diesel electric / FCE.


If you want something more substantial on Italian Railways this publication from platform 5 publishing is well worth investing in.

https://www.platform5.com/Catalogue/Overseas-Railways/Italian-Railways-4th-Edition-NEW-5FS04



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/25 12:55 by 86235.

longliveSP Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just reread it twice. No where is it stated where
> it is. 

Well, the word "Italian" twice in the first post helped me to know, so I guess it's true that reading comprehension is required...

JG