Discovering the mountains near Pistoia along the Porrettana railway route

The history of the railway line between Pistoia and Porretta Terme has its roots during momentous years in Italy's history. It was established between the wars that led to independence and the Unification of Italy. The first project for a rail road intended for public transit dates back to 1845, when brothers from San Marcello, Bartolomeo, Pietro and Tommaso Cini, obtained authorisation from the Grand Duke of Tuscany Leopold II to carry out the necessary research. This led to the signing of an agreement for the construction of the "Central Italian Railway", intended to link the Austrian railway system with the Tuscan network, bringing together five pre-unification states: the Empire of Austria, the Papal State, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, the Duchy of Modena and the Duchy of Parma.

Owned by the Kingdom of Savoy and then by the newly created Kingdom of Italy, the Porrettana was inaugurated in 1864 and became the main axis of communication between north and south-central Italy. It played a central role during the Great War and until the 1930s, when it was overtaken by the Prato-Bologna expressway.

The route starts at the Pistoia railway station, a few steps from the city centre and the Piazza del Duomo. The stations along the Tuscan side of the route include Piteccio, Corbezzi, Castagno, San Mommè and Pracchia, then the railway enters the Emilian side of the Apennines. 

It is a journey through the luxuriant landscapes and the historic villages of the Pistoia mountains, on a scenic route through the tunnels and past the bridges of the Porrettana Railway.

Passengers can travel the route aboard regular trains, or they can choose to ride one of the Porrettana Express historic trains on “Cento porte” or “Corbellini” cars. It is an experience specifically intended for families and kids, with educational workshops and guided visits to the stations along the route.

It is also an occasion to visit places normally closed to the public. One of them is the Deposito Rotabili Storici di Pistoia (Pistoia rolling stock workshops and depot) where FS (Italian State Railways) steam, diesel and electric locomotives have been safeguarded for over 150 years. Among them, there are unique pieces such as the 741.120 dating back to the 1920s and modified in 1958, the only locomotive in the world provided with the “Franco Crosti” patented system which is still in working condition today. Or the D 342.4010, the only hydraulic diesel locomotive of the 1950s that is still operating. 

The trail includes a visit of the royal waiting room specially built for King Victor Emmanuel II, hence the coat of arms of the House of Savoy in the room.  

Along the Porrettana railway, the Valdibrana station is where the old launch track once was, next to the deceleration track still existing today. The launch track was used to provide power so that the heavy steam trains could take on the steep upward hills ahead. The Valdibrana station is also a great spot to take in panoramic views of the city of Pistoia nearby.