Circumvesuviana





Circumvesuviana is a railway network in the east of the Naples metropolitan area, previously run by a company of the same name, now operated by Ente Autonomo Volturno. Electrically powered throughout, the system uses the narrow gauge of and operates 142 km of route on six lines. It is entirely separate from other national and regional railway lines. It has 96 stations with an average interstation distance of 1.5 km.

The Circumvesuviana railway covers a wide catchment area of over 2 million people, distributed in 47 municipalities, including Scafati, San Valentino Torio and Sarno in the province of Salerno and Avella and Baiano in the province of Avellino. The network forms an important commercial artery, and provides services to the tourist destinations of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

All routes start from the Napoli Porta Nolana terminus near the Porta Nolana, and pass through Napoli Garibaldi station before splitting into several branches to towns in the province. A journey along the entirety of the longest route, the 47 km from Naples to Sorrento, takes about one hour.

On 27 December 2012 the original company was absorbed by the Ente Autonomo Volturno. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the network was used by 25 million passengers annually.

Lines
All lines are powered by electric overhead lines.

Rolling stock
The network uses two types of rolling stock, both electrically powered: FE220 units, T21 and "Metrostar" articulated trains. Power is supplied by overhead catenary and the train motors can generate up to 500 kW of power.

The FE220 cars are usually coupled together to form a two- or three-car multiple units, painted white with red doors and ends. The FE220 trains come in two different variations.

Twenty-six ETR211 "Metrostar" three-car articulated units were introduced between November 2008 and September 2009. Manufactured by a consortium of Firema and AnsaldoBreda, these trains are capable of carrying 450 passengers and are styled by Pininfarina. As well as being more powerful than the FE220 units, they have computer driving aids, self-levelling suspension. These units are mostly used to provide the express service whilst the FE220 provide cheaper, stopping services which tend to be far more crowded.