The Serchio Valley Railway

The FS in Tuscany, Italy in August 1989

This very scenic railway line runs between Lucca and Aulla. Most trains originate in Pisa and run via Lucca to Aulla and back. In 1989, trains were mostly pairs of ALn 668 railcars but around lunchtime there was a locomotive hauled train in each direction. The northbound train consisted of a D345 diesel electric locomotive and three BZ passenger cars. The southbound train was also hauled by a D345 locomotive but the consist was two BZ passenger cars and a D1 four wheel van.

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Located between Pisa and Lucca is Ripafratta next to the River Serchio. This is the lunchtime service approaching Ripafratta Station.
At Ripafratta some retired rolling stock awaited its fate.
A general view of Lucca Station looking towards Firenze and Aulla. This is not trespassing, the image is taken from a public level crossing.
The largest intermediate station on the Pisa Aulla route is Lucca. Here connections are available to Firenze and Viareggio. Here is a pair of ALn 668 railcars ready to depart for Aulla.
The lunchtime northbound train consisting of a D345 diesel electric locomotive and three BZ passenger cars.
This is the interior of a BZ passenger car. The un-upholstered seats are only slighly more comfortable than they look.
Diverting from the main line to Firenze the train is leaving electrified territory on its way to Aulla. The cant on the track may look excessive but it is not and the driver is taking full advantage of it.
Not long after the above picture was taken, the southbound locomotive hauled working approaches Lucca. Once again the driver is taking full advantage of the cant of the track.
In the yard at the western end of Lucca Station area a vast array of retired stock was resting.
The Lucca Aulla line is all single track but there are numerous passing loops. Here at Barga Gallicano we are passing another pair of southbound ALn 668 railcars on our journey north.
The view forward from the train as we are about to enter a tunnel. Location is possibly near Riana.
Ironically the best way to see the railway in action is not from the train. Renting a car is more convenient as long as you have a railway timetable to refer to. The southbound train arrived at Ponte Moriano awaiting a pass with a northbound train.
Awaiting the arrival of the northbound train at Ponte Moriano.
The two lunchtime locomotive hauled trains pass at Ponte Moriano.
One of the most scenic areas on the the line is Borgo a Moriano at the Maddalena Bridge.
At Borgo a Moriano the line runs beside a lake on the River Serchio.
The Lucca Aulla line crosses the River Serchio many times. This is near Piano d.Rocca
Back again to Borgo a Moriano and a classic Italian scene with a pair of ALn 668 railcars going south to Lucca and Pisa.
Near Castelnuovo the southbound lunchtime Locomotive hauled train crosses the River Serchio.
The same bridge as above and a pair of ALn 668 railcars head north.
The northbound train stops at Castelnuovo.
Northbound again and the Lunchtime train crosses the River Serchio near Poggio.
Not the usual sort of transportation you find in a car park. This Class 940 002 is on permanent display at Piazza al Serchio.
A better view of the largest vehicle in the car park at Piazza al Serchio, Class 940 002.
There are many intermediate stations on this line and much spare rolling stock is stored at these locations. This is F.R.Soliera.
The end of the line at Aulla. Connection may be made here to La Spezia, Viareggio and Bologna.
At Aulla, the two types of power used on the Lucca Aulla line, D345 1121 and ALn 668 1854. Note the still functioning water crane.

In 1989 it was possible to travel from the UK to Italy on Citalia's Citalian Express charter train. See the CITALIAN EXPRESS page.

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