Strait of Messina Shunters

[davidrockyroad]

I’ve just done something I’ve wanted to do for years: the crossing of the Strait of Messina by train–ferry.

From the trip report blogs I’d read prior to this journey, I was expecting the train to be shunted onto the ferry using diesel shunters (and a Google says these would be DE18 locomotives). However, I did not notice this happening.

Either it happened quickly and efficiently or it didn’t happen at all, and the train drove onto the ferry under its own power. I’ve seen some other articles online which mention battery power being used for this short shunt, but can’t see (at least on the Wikipedia page) if E.464 locomotives have this capability.

Do any of you better-informed-than-me people know what the current operational arrangement is for this fascinating part of this journey?

Journey details if this helps:
№ 730 / № 724
Palermo Centrale (10:15) → Roma Termini (21:36)
11/06/2025

 

[Iskra]

I suspect shunters were used, but you might not have noticed due to the barrier vehicles used so they can be a long way away, especially if the train is combined with another. The barrier vehicles used are typically two flat wagons and an old passenger coach. The shunter can drop off onto the back of the consist quite quickly.

 

[Lxd2]

The Italian language Wikipedia page mentions the project to fit battery modules to 16 E464 locos: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locomotiva_FS_E.464

Translated quote from the Wikipedia page:

On 7 July 2022, the E.464.199 was delivered on an experimental basis by the OGR workshops in Foligno , the first unit of the group to be equipped with the "last mile" battery module, which allows for running with the pantograph lowered for short distances; the project is part of the plan to speed up the loading and unloading operations of trains to and from Sicily within the Strait of Messina , allowing the convoys to run autonomously, without having to resort to the special diesel locomotives, during manoeuvres, with significant advantages in travel times. [ 19 ] In consideration of the good results obtained in the on-line testing phases, the modification will concern 16 units for the moment. [ 20 ]

I think the daytime IC services should use these battery fitted E464s now, so they no longer require a diesel shunter at Messina or Villa San Giovanni.

I think the night trains are still shunted by the DE18 diesel locos.