Rail tourism with heritage trains in disused routes or lines closed to commercial services has the capacity to create and reinstate `life´ in territories through new socio-economic activities. But it’s possible that touristic trains can be a `booster´ to reinstate regular trains in a regional line closed to commercial operations? Yes, it is, and it happens. In 2011 the 34 km of the Italian Asti-Alba regional line were closed to rail traffic due to the deterioration of part of the infrastructure. The line crosses a very scenic landscape and since 2018 that
Fondazione FS Italiane intended to start touristic operations running against the intentions of dismantle the line and convert it into a greenway. After inspections conducted by
Fondazione FS Italiane and national rail manager
RFI Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, maintenance works were conducted and the Asti-Alba reopened in 2021 to heritage trains. The positive impact of the rail revival through
Fondazione FS Italiane was very important at local and regional level and the return of regional regular services started to be strongly considered. After 12 year-hiatus
Trenitalia railcars return to Asti-Alba line last September 2023 with six return train services provided on weekdays serving a total catchment area of 120 000 people. Annually €3m are secured by Piemonte region to subsidise the service and €13m were invested by
RFI Rete Ferroviaria Italiana in the rail infrastructure renovation.
There is more life than disused lines being converted to greenways. Rail revival is possible and highly recommended to achieve decarbonisation and regional growth.
Photo 1 -
Fondazione FS Italiane steam train at Barbaresco station on the Asti-Alba route | © Gilberto Zara, 27.11.2021
Photo 2 -
Trenitalia ALn 501.026 railcar near Neive on the Asti-Alba line | © Enrico Suppo, 11.09.2023
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