Sicilian Narrow Gauge Revival?

Back in October 1981 I visited the last remaining section, from Castelvetrano to Sciacca, of the once extensive 950 mm narrow gauge network which ran along the island's south coast. A, then recent, Railway Magazine article mentioned an all railcar passenger service but with a daily steam hauled freight. Unfortunately the steam service was suspended the week I was there due to urgent track repairs! The line finally closed in 1985 and I thought that it had been ripped up. The photo below shows one of the railcars approaching Sciacca.

Today the Narrow Gauge Enthusiasts FB Group carried a link to http://www.siciliaintreno.org/index.php/ferrovie-di-selinunte
My Italian is near non-existant but it looks as though they are attempting to reopen a section of the line. Perhaps an Italian speaking Nat.Pres member can shed some light on it? This is a link to an illustrated article written about a visit to the line in 1980 https://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/tales/lythgoe36.htm
Cheers,
Ray.

 

From what I can gather, from that website and others, is that very slow progress is being made to reopen the line. But most of it seems to be words rather than anything concrete yet. @ilvaporista or @Saint might have a better idea, despite living the opposite end of the country.

 

I need to be a little careful what I say but railway preservation in Italy is structured somewhat differently. And then in Sicily it is different again. You might understand Sicily a bit better if you realise that there are two governments, one in Rome and one more local. That's just the way it is and despite lots of talk there is very little prospect of anything changing soon.
This report is about a meeting to have a meeting to maybe discuss a plan about perhaps including a railway museum and possibly an operating railway along the old line from Castelvetrano to Menfi. The local council seems keen to include this in it's wish lists but nothing will happen without lots of external funding as the concept of a privately funded amateur run railway just does not work in Italy
You may not know but the steam locomotives survived intact until fairly recently but were cut up. Such a shame but there was so little interest in saving them
Along the line are many houses and garages that have been built around the track with 'local' permission. There is remarkably little enthusiasm locally for the return of the railway.
I might sound negative but there really is very little left to be able to create a working railway. Probably the best that will happen is a static museum documenting the history of the narrow gauge railway in Sicily. And the expectation is that all of this will be state funded in a region which is not known for wise use of government money. Honestly there are better prospects for preservation of Italian railway artifacts in other locations.
I might sound a bit negative but this information comes from Sicilian friends, who although living off island, still have family in the area.
Such a shame as the run past ancient temples at Selinunte would be fantastic. I have an R302 in 45mm and the chassis of one in 7 1/4" to finish when I retire.