Roma-Viterbo Railway (Urbano) from Piazzale Flaminio to Montebello

The Roma-Viterbo Railway is a regional railway line connecting Rome with Viterbo, operating in 3 distinct sections – the Urbano service between Piazzale Flaminio and Montebello serving all stations, the Extraurbano service between Piazzale Flaminio or Montebello and Catalano skipping some stations served only by the Urbano service, and the Extraurbano service between Catalano and Viterbo. With the Atac Metrebus CIS weekly ticket, I was able to travel on the Roma-Viterbo Railway to Montebello as an inclusive zone in the ticket.

*As photography of trains in Rome using a camera are not really welcomed by the operators and staff, picture quality and quantity are degraded in this article.

Piazzale Flaminio Railway Station

Piazzale Flaminio Railway Station is located adjacent to Piazzale Flaminio, an ancient square in Rome and starting point of the Via Flaminia.

Flaminio – Piazza del Popolo Metro Station on the Rome Metro Line A is also located just beside Piazzale Flaminio Railway Station.

Heading into Piazzale Flaminio Railway Station.

The concourse of Piazzale Flaminio Railway Station is simple and straightforward, with a ticket counter beside the gate line which leads directly to the platform.

While Atac Metrebus integrated tickets are accepted, do note that the Roma-Viterbo Railway (Urbano) has cheaper fares if travelling only on the Roma-Viterbo Railway Urbano service. Atac Metrebus integrated tickets are not accepted past Sacrofano, which is on the Extraurbano service.

The island platform in a tunnel at Piazzale Flaminio Railway Station. Interestingly, it is ground level when stepping in from outside, but becomes underground just a few steps away without any change in elevation.

Roma-Viterbo Railway Firema E 84 EMU

The Firema E 84 EMU used on the Roma-Viterbo Railway Urbano service. Fold-out steps are available to cater to low platforms. Services are surprisingly frequent at about 5 trains per hour on weekdays, though frequencies vary within the hour.

The interior of the Firema E 84 EMU, which is non-air-conditioned.

The route map of the Roma-Viterbo Railway is available above the train doors. Do note that the Extraurbano service is over-simplified into a single line when up to 2 transfers may be needed if travelling through the whole line. There is no through train service from Piazzale Flaminio to Viterbo.

I will just be taking the Urbano service and section, since that is what my ticket allows for, and I don’t get lost out too far with no train to come back with.

The train quickly started to warm up when it exited from the tunnel section.

The vandalised windows made for no view throughout the train ride.

Peeking out of the top where the windows can be opened for ventilation.

Most seats are arranged in facing transverse bays of 4 seats, with longitudinal seats near the train doors.

A wheelchair space is available with tip-up seats, which ironically can be used at most stations except for Piazzale Flaminio’s low platforms, arguably the most essential railway station on the Roma-Viterbo Railway.

My Roma-Viterbo Railway (Urbano) journey from Piazzale Flaminio to Montebello took 28 minutes, stopping at Euclide, Acqua Acetosa, Campi Sportivi, Monte Antenne, Tor di Quinto, Due Ponti, Grottarossa, Saxa Rubra, Centro RAI, Labaro, La Celsa, Prima Porta, and La Giustiniana.

Montebello Railway Station

My Firema E 84 EMU at Montebello Railway Station with high platforms.

The line on Platform 3 ends here, but the double-tracked section has a point leading out to the single-track section ahead, onwards to Catalano and Viterbo.

Seems like the graffiti won’t be removed, with the rolling stock number and wheelchair logo pasted over the graffiti.

The platform gap is surprisingly minimal, I thought there would be a bigger gap due to the presence of the fold-out steps below.

An Alstom Series 300 EMU (Alstom MRP 236) is standing by on Platform 4 for the service to Catalano.

The timetable of Roma-Viterbo Railway trains is posted on the platforms, valid till 30 June 2022.

Heading up the staircase to exit the station.

The façade of Montebello Railway Station.

There is nothing much around Montebello Railway Station aside from cemeteries, so it’s just a quick stop here before I return back to Piazzale Flaminio with the next train.