Circumvesuviana (Italian pronunciation: [ˌtʃirkuɱvezuˈvjaːna]) 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 950 mm (3 ft 1+38 in) and operates 142 km (88 mi) 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 (0.9 mi).

Circumvesuviana
IndustryTransport
FoundedNaples, Italy (1890)
Fatemerged into Ente Autonomo Volturno, 2012
Headquarters
Naples
,
Italy
Area served
Bay of Naples
ServicesLocal Public Transport Railway
Number of employees
1590
Websitewww.eavsrl.it/web (in Italian)
Pompei Scavi services the main entrance to Pompeii
ETR 211 Metrostar

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 (29 mi) 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.[1]

Lines

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All lines are powered by electric overhead lines.

Circumvesuviana
Lines Opening Length Stations Route Stops Travel time
Naples – Baiano 1885 38 km (24 mi) 28 Porta Nolana - Nola - Baiano 28 59 minutes
Naples – Sarno 1891 38 km (24 mi) 28 Porta Nolana - Ottaviano- Sarno 28 65 minutes
Naples – Poggiomarino 1904 35 km (22 mi) 25 Porta Nolana -Scafati - Poggiomarino 25 57 minutes
Naples – Sorrento 1932 47 km (29 mi) 35 Porta Nolana - Torre Annunziata - Sorrento 35 68 minutes
Branch
Botteghelle – San Giorgio
2001 8 km (5 mi) 7 Porta Nolana - Centro Direzionale - San Giorgio[2] 11 15 minutes
Branch
Pomigliano d'Arco – Acerra
2005 3 km (1.9 mi) 4 Porta Nolana - Pomigliano - Acerra[3] 16 28 minutes
 
Lines Circumvesuviana

Rolling stock

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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 (670 hp) 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[4] 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.

Notes

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  1. ^ "Circumvesuviana, in 142 chilometri la via crucis della mobilità in Campania". la Repubblica. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  2. ^ path in common with the Napoli - Baiano to the station Botteghelle.
  3. ^ path in common with the Napoli - Baiano to the station Pomigliano d'Arco.
  4. ^ "Ecco "Metrostar", il nuovo treno della Circumvesuviana". Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2009-03-25.

See also

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