Civita Castellana
The Rome-Civita Castellana-Viterbo railway is an important concession line in Italy that connects Piazzale Flaminio in Rome with Viterbo through Civita Castellana. The line was inaugurated in 1932 and extends over a total length of 100 kilometers and is divided into two sections: the urban section, which functions as a subway with 15 stations and is 25 kilometers long, connects Piazzale Flaminio to the Montebello station in Rome, while the second section, 75 kilometers long, reaches the stations of Sant'Oreste, Civita Castellana, Catalano, and Viterbo, without intermediate stops.
History
The tramway
The connection between Rome and Civita Castellana dates back to the early 20th century when the Rome-Civita Castellana tramway was built, extended in 1913 with the Civita Castellana-Viterbo railway section. However, the company operating the line ran into financial difficulties due to reduced traffic, and the service suffered a crisis. In 1921, the Roman Society for Northern Railways (SRFN) was established in Rome with the aim of modernizing the railway and turning it into a real railway line.
The railway
The SRFN started the construction of the new railway with the aim of completely replacing the tramway. In 1927, it was decided to adopt standard gauge and direct current electrification at 3000 V, in conformity with FS installations for easy interchanges. In 1931, Rome's urban plan imposed the complete reconstruction of the urban penetration section, which led to the adoption of a new underground section designed by Milanese engineer Ernesto Besenzanica.
Current situation
Today, the Rome-Civita Castellana-Viterbo railway is owned by the Lazio Region and, since July 1, 2022, has been entrusted to ASTRAL and Cotral. The urban section, which extends from Piazzale Flaminio to Montebello in Rome, functions as a subway and, according to the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, will be renamed Line F.
The Rome-Civita Castellana-Viterbo railway is an essential means of transport for the Lazio Region and has significant historical and tourist value, as it crosses areas of great cultural interest such as Civita Castellana and Viterbo. Recent changes have focused on improving the service and allowing passengers to travel more comfortably.
Future plans
In 2019, the Lazio Region allocated 117 million euros for the redevelopment of the Rome-Civita Castellana-Viterbo railway. Interventions are planned to improve safety, train frequency, and service quality. In particular, there is a plan to create a section of the railway line in a dedicated tunnel for passenger trains and to extend railway services to rural areas.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the Rome-Civita Castellana-Viterbo railway is certainly an asset for the Lazio Region. Through its history, from its origins as a tramway to its transformation into a real railway, the line has allowed passengers to reach important destinations such as Civita Castellana and Viterbo. Today, the focus is on innovation and improving the service to ensure safety and comfort for passengers and make railway transport even more appealing.
