Italy · Scenic · Heritage
The so-called Trans-Siberian Railway of Italy is Fondazione FS’s heritage operation on the Sulmona–Isernia mountain line, with dated historic trains climbing from the Peligna Valley toward Roccaraso and Castel di Sangro through some of central Italy’s wildest high-country scenery.
Sulmona → Roccaraso
Italy
Photo: Manfred Kopka · CC BY-SA 4.0
01 · At the railway
The published route begins here, continuing through Sulmona and Campo di Giove, before reaching Roccaraso.
02 · Aboard
Selected 2026 heritage trains advertise free bicycle carriage in an equipped luggage van.
03 · First movement
04 · Arrival
The published itinerary ends at Roccaraso.
Evidence on demand
Route, onboard, season, fit and booking detail remain available without interrupting the journey above. Unknowns stay visible.
2h 35m
The published route runs from Sulmona to Roccaraso.
Ferrovia dei Parchi: Sulmona–Roccaraso
The published route runs from Sulmona to Roccaraso via Campo di Giove railway station, Rivisondoli-Pescocostanzo railway station.
Key stops
Sulmona railway stationCampo di Giove railway stationRivisondoli-Pescocostanzo railway stationRoccaraso railway station
Sulmona railway station
Italy
Campo di Giove railway station
Italy
Rivisondoli-Pescocostanzo railway station
Italy
Roccaraso railway station
Italy
The appeal here is the survival of an older way of travelling: short distances covered slowly, with the railway on display as much as the scenery. At a few hours between Sulmona and Roccaraso, it is long enough to feel like a journey and short enough to watch the whole of it without losing concentration. Passing Rivisondoli-Pescocostanzo railway station gives the journey its midpoint, and the character either side of it is noticeably different.
Bicycle space
Selected 2026 heritage trains advertise free bicycle carriage in an equipped luggage van.
Historic rolling stock
Fondazione FS operates dated historic trains on the mountain route.
2 onboard details are confirmed against a source. Anything not listed here has not been researched yet; treat it as unknown, not absent.
Season guidance not yet verified
Where to sit
Seat-side guidance not yet verified
We have not confirmed a better side for this journey. We would rather say nothing than send you to the wrong window.
Rail enthusiasts
Especially good
Rare dated heritage operations animate a spectacular otherwise non-regular mountain passenger line.
Slow travellers
Especially good
Full-day heritage departures are designed around landscape and local stops rather than speed.
Photographers
Especially good
High Abruzzo plateaux, forests and mountain towns provide exceptional seasonal scenery.
You cannot just turn up
A reservation is required for this journey.
Booking takes some effort
Verified as difficult to book.
Our current editorial assessment, for comparing journeys, a considered judgement, not a measurement.
More subjective
Not rated yet: seat quality, onboard service, slow travel quality, remoteness.
Step-free access and assistance are set out with the practical detail further down rather than reduced to a score.
Prices quoted Fare varies by dated Fondazione FS heritage departure and itinerary.
Not yet verified: rail pass validity. We leave these blank rather than guess.
Only the operator's website is verified for this service. Timetables, fares and reservations must be found from there. Journey length: 2h 35m. Checked 9 Sep 2026 · Fondazione FS Italiane.
The compact source record remains at the end of this guide. Review the evidence.
Your next step
Book a specific Fondazione FS / FS Treni Turistici Italiani heritage departure; trains operate only on selected dates.
Visit FS Treni Turistici Italiani's website (opens in a new tab)Only the operator's website is verified for this service. Timetables, fares and reservations must be found from there.
Far by Rail is a discovery guide, not a live timetable or booking service. Confirm times, fares and availability with the operator.
Related journeys
Related journey
Ferrovia Circumetnea’s current extra-urban railway runs from Santa Maria di Licodia Sud around the western and northern flanks of Etna to Riposto, using a working regional railway rather than a dedicated tourist train.
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Journey information is reviewed against published material and maintained as sources change.
Last reviewed 9 Sep 2026.
Official sources
Checked 9 Sep 2026