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CFE is a single-track narrow-gauge railway (950 mm) almost encircling Etna (3323 m.o.s) It has a total length of 110 kms.
It is starting in the sea port Catania, and is then running in a direction west of the vulcano, past Adreno, Bronte and Randazzo, and is then again heading for the coast, terminating at Giarre-Riposto. The distance to this place and back to Catania is about 30 kms!
The railway was constructed between 1889 and 1898 and the first part of it between Catania and Adreno was opened in 1895.
Since the railway was constructed several vulcano eruptions have many times caused long-termed interruptions of the traffic, e.g. in 1911, 1923, 1928, and 1981.
Today the innermost section in the neighbourhood of Catania is seeing a heavy commuter traffic. The remaining part of the distance is mainly used by tourists.
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