Description

There can be few people who have never thought of escaping to their own private island. Now, with this unique video programme, it is possible not only to visit the island of your choice but also find plenty of rail action.

The three contrasting islands featured in this programme all still rely heavily on rail transport, offering the rare opportunity to combine a relaxing sunshine holiday visit with some very distinctive rail action. This superbly made programme, which also highlights the great variety of scenic delights on these three very different islands, includes:-

• Sicily

Rail ferry services from the Italian main land to Messina, including docks traffic. Standard gauge electrified freight and passenger services from Messina to Cattania and Palermo. Also diesel, freight and passenger services from Palermo to Trapani.

Main line services between Caltanissetta and Cattania. There’s also plenty of narrow gauge action featuring the famous Ferrovia Circumetnea which circles the still active volcano of Mount Etna.

• Sardinia

Both standard and narrow gauge lines are featured in detail on this fascinating Italian island. There are both loco hauled passenger as well as diesel unit operations and plenty of freight action to be seen on the main FS line that operates from Golfo Aranci down the length of the island to Cagliari.

Highlights include double, triple and even quadruple headed freights! Several famous Ferrovie della Sardegna narrow gauge lines, with their distinctive units, are also featured, including the line from Macomer to Nuoro which still sees a daily freight service. Also part of the still operational huge network of narrow gauge lines in the south east of the island, are explored. Also a cab ride on the FdS Nulvi to Sassari line.

• Corsica

The French narrow gauge Corsican railway network may not be as profuse as the other islands featured in this programme but it certainly makes up for this with plenty of scenic variety. Featured routes include Bastia to Ponte-Leccia, and Calvi to Ile-Rousse – with it’s fabulous coastal scenery including beach running.

There is also freight action on the mountainous main line. The network is renowned for it’s many splendid viaducts including the most famous structure which was designed by Gustave Eiffel.