One of the recurring topics in this area has been the issue of electrifying the Ellesmere Port-Helsby line and the proximity of Stanlow refinery.
People have stated that the refinery stops onward electrification, but can't cite reasons why or give examples of other locations where such a ban applies.
I've just got back from a trip to Sicily, and made the journey by train down the east coast to the end of the main line at Siracusa.
About 10-15km north of Siracusa, near Augusta, there is a gigantic Esso oil refinery (and all manner of other chemical works based on the oil/gas industry).
Ships unload offshore and oil is piped into the refinery.
The electrified FS line (3kV DC OHL) runs right through the middle of it, with pipelines on all sides and over the railway.
Trains run at full speed over the section.
So I fail to see what the technical issue is with the Ellesmere Port-Helsby line.
Not that anyone is going to string the wires up anytime soon, but dismissing it as "not allowed because of the refinery" seems over the top.
Apart from the main line, I can recommend a trip on the Circumetnea narrow gauge line (950mm) around the Etna volcano, which is something else for natural hazards.
It circles the volcano at about 15km range, linking many of the highest villages en route.
Parts of the line have been destroyed by lava flows over the years, and sections of it are now underground in key areas.
Etna was trailing a long ash plume this week.