Italy (Sardegna) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services
Introduction
This list is based on the timetable in force from 10 December 2023. Although the timetable is shown as valid until 8 June 2024, most long-distance services are shown as operating only until March. 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
Ozieri-Chilivani avoiding line: Torralba (km 211.5) - Ardara (km 1.7)
[360] (ERA-E 85B3; ERA-R 159B4; S+W 114D1) IT22/201
This south to west curve is used by trains between the Cagliari and Sassari lines if not calling at Ozieri-Chilivani.
SuX | R4841 | 06:30 Sassari - Cagliari | |
SuX | R4853 | 19:00 Sassari - Cagliari | |
SuX | R4842 | Cagliari - 12:27 Macomer - Sassari | |
SuX | R4850 | Cagliari – 20:24 Macomer – Sassari |
Ferrovie della Sardegna obscure services
Limited services, marketed as Il Trenino Verde della Sardegna, normally operate over the following Ferrovie della Sardegna lines during the summer. There are also occasional public excursions at other times. Details are shown on website www.treninoverde.com, but it should be noted that these may vary in practice, particularly if there are insufficient advance bookings. It is also possible to charter trains.
Proposals to close all lines which do not have year-round passenger traffic have been dropped in favour of plans to rehabilitate them, but some have been shut for over five years. Traffic was suspended from 24 June 2016 between Laconi and Sorgono and between Seui and Arbatax, because of the poor condition of some bridges. The line between Gairo and Arbatax re-opened for the 2017 season. Services resumed over the full length of the line between Macomer and Bosa Marina in 2021.
The advertised service in 2021 was:
Palau Citta - Tempio Pausania
(ERA-E 85B3; ERA-R 159C5-159B5; S+W 113C1-113A3) IT22/211
D | WThFO | 09:00 Palau Citta - Tempio Pausania | |
D | WThFO | 16:00 Tempio Pausania - Palau Marina |
Macomer - Bosa Marina
(ERA-E 85B2; ERA-R 159A3; S+W 114B3-114C3) IT22/212
D | SO | 09:00 Macomer - Bosa Marina | |
D | SO | 16:45 Bosa Marina - Macomer |
There are also two short workings on Saturdays between Bosa Marina and Nigolosu.
Mandas - Laconi
(ERA-E 85B1-B2; ERA-R 159B2; S+W 117A3-117A2) IT22/213
D | WSSuO | 08:50 Mandas - Laconi | |
D | WSSuO | 16:30 Laconi - Mandas |
Mandas - Seui
(ERA-E 85B1-B2; ERA-R 159B2; S+W 117A3-117B2) IT22/214
D | SuO | 08:50 Mandas - Seui | |
D | SuO | 14:50 Seui - Mandas |
Arbatax - Gairo
(ERA-E 85B2-C2; ERA-R 159C2; S+W 117D1-117C2) IT22/215
D | FSSuO | 08:00 Arbatax - Gairo | |
D | FSSuO | 16:15 Gairo - Arbatax |
There are no passenger trains over the following Ferrovie della Sardegna lines.
Palau Marina - Palau Citta
Sassari - Tempio Pausania
Laconi - Sorgono
Seui - Gairo [due to major rock falls].