Italy (Sicilia) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

Introduction

This list is based on the timetable in force from 15 December 2024. Although the timetable is shown as valid until 14 June 2025, most long-distance services are shown as operating only for a couple of months. Such trains are not indicated by note 'D' (for a service only running on certain dates), because it is a reasonable expectation that their period of operation will be extended or a similar service is provided instead. It is assumed that the timetable will continue to be updated and reissued regularly, as has been the case since summer 2020. Users are recommended to check the Trenitalia website to ensure they are using the latest version of the timetable.

Table numbers quoted here are from In Treno Tutt'Italia, the official Trenitalia timetable. Standard abbreviations are explained here.

Map references for each route entry are given in parentheses ( ). References prefixed "ERA-E" refer to the European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition) by M.G. Ball. References prefixed "ERA-R" refer to the European Railway Atlas (Regional Series: Book 2) by M.G. Ball. References prefixed "S+W", or in italic, refer to Atlante ferroviaro d'Italia e Slovenia by Schweers + Wall.

Two useful symbols exist which show the booked route for trains not calling at a station: in the middle of the train column, a vertical bar "|" means that the train passes through the station without stopping, whereas a middle dot "·" means that the train does not pass through that station but instead takes a different route.

Obscure services

Terme Vigliatore – Patti-San Piero Patti

[99] (ERA-E 88A4; ERA-R 168C5-168B5; S+W 103D2-104A2) IT25/201

There is a new section of main line between Terme Vigliatore and Patti-San Piero Patti, but the old route remains in use to serve intermediate stations. All trains use the new line except the relatively small number calling at intermediate stations between Terme Vigliatore and Patti-an. Piero Patti. Note there is a significant grade separated junction at Terme Vigliatore.

Agrigento Bassa – Porto Empedocle Succursale

[386] (ERA-E 88B2; ERA-R 167C2; S+W 107C3) IT25/202

Regular passenger services over this branch line ceased in 1976/78, and it is used for excursions since the early 2000s, with its official reopening in 2016. Trains usually run between Porto Empedocle and Agrigento Centrale in connection with the Sagra del Mandorlo in Fiore (almond blossom festival), which normally takes place late winter or early spring.

The 2025 festival takes place between 8 and 16 March. Several trains are scheduled to run on 15 and 16 March 2025. There are occasional other excursions to and from Porto Empedocle Succursale. Further details on the trains from Fondazione FS.

Palermo Brancaccio – Palermo Guadagna (deviatoio uscita ex Bivio Oreto)

[99, 385, 388, M95] (ERA-R 167B1; S+W 105C2) IT25/203

This curve allows trains to run between the Messina and Trapani lines without reversing at Palermo Centrale. The curve is used by through trains between Milazzo or Cefalu and Palermo Aeroporto/Notarbartolo at late spring and summer weekends, roughly every two hours (not Saturday before 14:00), as well as some direct trains between Agrigento Centrale and Palermo Aeroporto.

The following trains run on this curve.

		R22006/22007	Agrigento Centrale – 07:23 Bagheria – Palermo Aeroporto
D1	SuO	R22199	Cefalù – 09:48 Palermo Roccella – Palermo Aeroporto
D1	SuO	R22201	Cefalù – 11:22 Palermo Roccella – Palermo Aeroporto
		R22008/22009	Agrigento Centrale – 12:25 Bagheria – Palermo Aeroporto
D1	SuO	R22203	Cefalù – 13:43 Palermo Roccella – Palermo Notarbartolo
D1	SO	R22205	Cefalù – 14:41 Palermo Roccella – Palermo Aeroporto
D1	SuO	R22295	Milazzo – 15:49 Palermo Roccella – Palermo Aeroporto
D1	SSuO	R22207	Cefalù – 17:40 Palermo Roccella – Palermo Notarbartolo
	SuO	R5420/5421	Agrigento Centrale – 18:06 Bagheria – Palermo Aeroporto
	SuX	R94936/94937	Agrigento Centrale – 18:06 Bagheria – Palermo Notarbartolo
D1	SSuO	R22291/22211	Cefalù – 19:41/42 Palermo Roccella – Palermo Aeroporto
D1	SuO	R22010	Palermo Aeroporto – 07:29 Palermo Lolli – Cefalù
D1	SuO	R22296	Palermo Aeroporto – 11:29 Palermo Lolli – Cefalù
D1	SuO	R22292	Palermo Aeroporto – 12:26 Palermo Notarbartolo – Milazzo
		R22014/22004	Palermo Aeroporto – 14:21/22 Palermo Guadagna – Agrigento Centrale
D1	SuO	R22200	Palermo Aeroporto – 15:29 Palermo Lolli – Cefalù
D1	SO	R22202	Palermo Aeroporto – 17:10 Palermo Lolli – Cefalù
D1	SuO	R22204	Palermo Aeroporto – 17:30 Palermo Lolli – Cefalù
		R22012	Palermo Aeroporto – 18:21 Palermo Guadagna – Agrigento Centrale
D1	SO	R22206	Palermo Aeroporto – 19:10 Palermo Lolli – Cefalù
D1	SuO	R22208	Palermo Aeroporto – 19:29 Palermo Lolli – Cefalù
	SuO	R6014	Palermo Aeroporto – 22:01 Palermo Vespri – Agrigento Centrale
	SuX	R5630	Palermo Aeroporto – 22:12 Palermo Guadagna – Agrigento Centrale

D1: 25 April - 28 September