Campania, 35 historic trains from September to December: itineraries through villages, art, and archaeology.

Thirty-five historic trains will travel through Campania from September to December, transforming the journey into an experience of discovery through villages, landscapes, archaeological sites, and major cultural attractions. The program was presented at Palazzo Santa Lucia in the presence of Campania Regional Vice President Mario Casillo, Tourism Councilor Vincenzo Maraio, Acamir General Director Maria Teresa Di Mattia, and Oreste Orvitti, Head of Museum Centers at the FS Italiane Foundation.

The Region has allocated €2,7 million for the initiative through the Campania Regional Development Fund (PSC). A total of approximately 6,000 seats will be available aboard vintage trains, featuring "Centoporte" carriages from the 1930s and "Corbellini" carriages from the 1950s, as well as the ALn 668 railcars used on the Avellino-Rocchetta Sant'Antonio line.

The project also aims to bring centralized access to inland areas, often far from traditional tourist routes. The various routes will connect to the Royal Palace of Caserta, the National Railway Museum of Pietrarsa, Pompeii, Paestum, Contursi, and numerous villages in Irpinia.

Among the options are the Pietrarsa Express, with departures from Naples Central Station to the Pietrarsa National Railway Museum, and the Reggia Express, directly from Naples Central Station to Caserta. The Irpinia Express will follow the Avellino-Rocchetta Sant'Antonio route, with itineraries dedicated to inland villages and towns and, on several occasions, shuttles between stations and towns.

There's also space for the Archeotreno, with connections from Naples to Paestum and along the Naples-Pietrarsa-Pompei-Contursi route. The program also includes last-mile transport services via integrated tourist buses, to facilitate travel between stations and destinations.

Particular attention is also paid to cycling tourism. On the routes from Naples to Caserta, Pietrarsa, Pompeii, Contursi, and Paestum, bicycles can be transported free of charge in the special historic luggage compartments.

"Historic trains perfectly represent the idea of ​​a Campania region that builds on its history to look to the future," commented Maraio. "It's not just the charm of traveling on vintage trains: it's an original and sustainable way to accompany visitors in discovering our excellence, from major cultural and archaeological attractions to the villages and landscapes of the inland areas."

For Casillo, the return of vintage trains also represents an opportunity for regional development: "With the return of historic trains to Campania's tracks, we're reviving a heritage that belongs to all of us: our railway history becomes a new way of experiencing and telling the story of the region, from the Royal Palace of Caserta to the archaeological parks, all the way to the villages of Irpinia."

Orvitti instead emphasized the value of the travel experience: "With these 35 trips, 35 experiences, you reach inland locations, villages, which enshrine tradition and the stories of the people." Among the events mentioned is the one on the Avellino-Montella route, which also crosses the Principe di Lapio Bridge.

Finally, the program also includes Pietrarsa and the Christmas season. "For Pietrarsa, there's the option of reaching the Museum in December, during the Christmas market season: 100 people reach the museum using historic trains," Orvitti explained. "An experience within an experience, retracing the route of the Bourbons' 1839 journey."