Red carpets, Poltrone Frau in eco-leather, silk curtains, paintings and porcelain, ceiling lights with indirect lighting, a real living room to accompany tourists to the most evocative corners of Abruzzo, in a welcoming and comfortable environment: it is the new tourist train that Tua, the unique company Abruzzo transporter, named after Amarena and Juan Carrito, mother bear and son, symbols of Abruzzo, both of whom died tragically.
The debut in the new Tua station in Lanciano (Chieti) in via Bergamo, attended by the vice president of Tua Antonio Prospero, the director of the Tua Railway Division Enrico Dolfi and the president of the Region Marco Marsilio.
The convoy recalls the luxury of the Orient Express, three ALn776 trains that will always travel together, with 210 total seats, intended for both regional and extra-regional rail tourism.
Tua purchased the three engines in the summer of 2023 from the former Ferrovie Centrali Umbre, now Busitalia, at the price of 195 thousand euros, anticipating the competition from other national railway carriers.
The convoys have completed maintenance and overhaul in the Torre Madonna workshops in Lanciano.
"The ALn 776 train will always leave from Lanciano or even from San Vito Chietino - explains Dolfi - We have recorded hundreds of requests for railway tours. It will be a commercial train that can be rented by private individuals, associations and bodies. The service will begin in May. We will be there soon it will be an agreement with the Ferrovie dello Stato Foundation which manages the Trans-Siberian Railway. Trains can also run on the RFI network".
The elegant ALn 776s in the past traveled on the Civitavecchia-Vatican City route for VIP customers.
Also attending the presentation remotely were 14 rail tourism tour operators.
"Ready to bet on the success of this initiative - said Marsilio - We hope it can revitalize the internal areas and enhance our railway routes. The tourist train is a rapidly expanding sector. The operation, very intelligent, will also be profitable. We hope to have the former line soon Sangritana up to Castel di Sangro, to retrace a ring of inimitable beauty".
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