Taking the train to the top in Italy in Montecatini 🇮🇹

I am not a train commuter for work, I do train to some cities in the Netherlands just because its better because of the limited or high prices for car parking. But when we go abroad to travel , than the train is often a form of transportation we take. Just for fun and trains abroad are so different.

Like when we were in Italy, just a few months ago. There when we were in Tuscany, in the province of Montepulciano, in Montecatini Therme we wanted to take the old train in Montecatini. Up the hill to Montecatini Alto. Ofcourse I pinned it on my Hive account@pinmapple map.

We visited Lucca and Florence and this was also on the TO DO list on our tour in Italy this summer a few month ago. The train is a tourist attraction for lovers of the old days but also to get to a high point to overlook the beautiful valley in that region. We had to take the car but we could park infront of the office and buy tickets. Up on the hill there is Montecatini Alto and there we wanted to have lunch, at a friend of the B&B we were staying in, and who advised us aswell that this is a must do. When we said we had that on our list he was very pleased. The train ride is great for kids and also for adults.

We were early so we strolled around a bit infront of the train station. The train station is built or established in 1898, and its the old building with open round green doors. Its still early but here in the valley it was already very hot. Imagine the heat and sun up the hill at the end station of the train. You have to dress accordingly and wear good shoes, i had flip flops and that was not the best idea.

The train is called the FUNICOLARE, a cute, red train. Its semi open.
We bought the round trip tickets and went on the adventure to the top of the mountain. Overviewing the region and Appenine Mountains.
The fact that the valley is so green and you see all the great cities is amazing.

Here above, are all the tickets and things I kept from the trip. What a bag of a mum has inside after travelling is amazing hahahahah.

We had the red GIGIO coach and the balcony in the back and front are open to experience the outdoor beauty on your way to the top. Due to covid ofcourse everybody had to wear a mouthpiece.

Its a steap station with steps stairs and on the train there are five compartments and two balconies. There even is a possibility to rent it for a wedding, to go to the church on top of the mountain, so you have the wedding party in one train together. I thought that was pretty cool. I have not seen a wedding happening but was glad that the story was told by the machinist. The idea that this could be the place you go to to wed, is so romantic. We are already married so we were the fucking tourists loving every centimeter of all that was there, and the stories.

The machinist was in front and he only had to work one handle and the train would go up.

The track is old but in very good shape. And with the money from tourists buying the tickets, the building in the valley and up on the hill and the train track is being maintenanced. Dont know if the personell s paid from that aswell.

This picture is in the middle where up and down coaches go along side and pass eachother.

With passing the waving by all the passengers is a thing.
Pictures made by me and added black sides with Snapseed.

The pictures are all mine! Taken on the balcony in front, where I was with one of the boys, when we went up. I made a lot !

I don’t think the pictures show how steep the track really is though.

When I went down I was in a carriage and my other son and his dad were on the balcony.

A Maria figurine was along side of the track and passing her is a special feeling.

Almost up the mountain. And the steap grade of the hill is 21 % up

This is the top and the end of the track. You walk along side of the glass where the rail and the metal tows are. This is in the upper train house.

The view is amazing and we had lunch in the village up and near the church. What a great experience.

Here is the view.

And the train keeps going up and down, in pair.
This is POT - proof of top - FUNICOLARE you are so nice.

Going down, the balcony was for the youngest, what a fun attraction. If you are ever in Tuscany near Lucca, or Sienna or in the region this is a great day spent, so go here.

And down wards we go again.
It was great to write this blog and re-live this great day. We love Italy and the fact that the history is everywhere even in this little special village.

So why a train blog? Well the new community is reason enough. i am all for new initiatives and after 4 years thats always fun to explore.

Here is a link:

created/hive-170068

So maybe you are a train-er, train commuter, train fan or train lover or just like me went in a special train . Jump on the train and blog away. And if you want to blog into the new community, well here are the rules copied from the new community / blog by the founder :

Community rules
All community have their own rules, and this one is no exception, but I don't want to over do them. The Train Spotting community rules are pretty simple:
Any content that is related to train is permitted. A train is defined as a vehicle that runs on a track to carry people or goods✅
Original content only, no recycling or plagiarism✅
Abuse will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly✅
Content can be written in any language but must include English✅
Engagement with fellow Train Spotter posts in the community is encouraged✅

The rules also can be found on the right sight on the community page.

Ciao !! 🇮🇹