Italy (Toscana) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

Introduction

This list is based on the timetable in force from 10 December 2023. Although the timetable is shown as valid until 8 June 2024, most long-distance services are shown as operating only until March. Such trains are not indicated by note 'D' (for a service only running on certain dates), because it is a reasonable expectation that their period of operation will be extended or a similar service is provided instead. It is assumed that the timetable will continue to be updated and reissued regularly, as has been the case since summer 2020. Users are recommended to check the Trenitalia website to ensure they are using the latest version of the timetable.

Table numbers quoted here are from In Treno Tutt'Italia, the official Trenitalia timetable. Standard abbreviations are explained here.

Map references for each route entry are given in parentheses ( ). References prefixed "ERA-E" refer to the European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition) by M.G. Ball. References prefixed "ERA-R" refer to the European Railway Atlas (Regional Series: Book 2) by M.G. Ball. References prefixed "S+W", or in italic, refer to Atlante ferroviaro d'Italia e Slovenia by Schweers + Wall.

Two useful symbols exist which show the booked route for trains not calling at a station: in the middle of the train column, a vertical bar "|" means that the train passes through the station without stopping, whereas a middle dot "·" means that the train does not pass through that station but instead takes a different route.

Obscure services

Pisa Centrale – Livorno Centrale (Bivio Mortellini)

[33, M55] (ERA-E 81C4; ERA-R 156C1; S+W 50C1-50B2) IT24/91

There are two routes between Pisa Centrale and Bivio Mortellini, which approach opposite ends of Pisa Centrale station. Trains normally use the route that will avoid the need for reversal. Those between Firenze and Livorno use the western route and those between La Spezia and Livorno run via the eastern route.

Campiglia Marittima avoiding line: San Vincenzo (Campiglia Dev Piazzalone) – Populonia (Campiglia Dev Baratti)

[33, 260] (ERA-E 81C5; ERA-R 160A5; S+W 56C3) IT24/92

This north to west curve is used by trains between Livorno and Piombino Marittima, if not calling at Campiglia.

		R18255	Firenze S. Maria Novella – 07:30 S Vincenzo – Piombino Marittima
D1	SuO/SSuO	RV4015	Firenze S. Maria Novella – 09:41 S Vincenzo – Piombino Marittima
D2	SuO	R19469	Livorno Centrale – 09:45 S Vincenzo – Piombino Marittima
D3	SuO/SSuO	R19486	Piombino Marittima – 19:43 Populonia – Firenze S Maria Novella
D4	SuO	R19488	Piombino Marittima – 21:43 Piombino – Firenze S Maria Novella

D1: SuO from 31 March to 15 August, also SSuO from 8 June to 3 August

D2: Until 24 March

D3: SuO from 31 March to 15 August, also SSuO from 18 May to 3 August

D4: From 12 May

Asciano – Monte Antico

(ERA-E 83C1-C2; ERA-R 160C5-160B4; S+W 58B2-58A4) IT24/93

There are excursions over this line, typically from April to November. For details on the dates see the Ferrovie Turistiche Italiane website. The format for most excursions is to run from Siena to Monte Antico via Buonconvento and reach an intermediate station between Monte Antico and Asciano for a special event or bus tour, before returning direct to Siena. Note that some excursions do not cover the whole line and excursions to Chiusi do not use this line.

Further details from Agenzia Visione del Mondo; booking@visionedelmondo.com or phone +39 0577 48003 / Fax 281834.

[Firenze] – S. Donnino-Badia (Bivio/PC Renai) – Montelupo-Capraia (Bivio/PC Samminiatello) – [Empoli]

[280] (ERA-E 83B1; ERA-R 157B2; S+W 52B2-52B3) IT24/94

There is a relatively new section of main line avoiding Signa, but the old route remains in use to serve Signa station. The new line is used by all trains not calling at Signa.

Firenze Castello – Le Piagge (Firenze Rifredi Dev Olmatello)

[280] (ERA-R 158B3; S+W 145C2) IT24/95

This north to west curve links the Prato and Pisa lines north of Firenze Rifredi. The following trains to and from Empoli were introduced using this line as a consequence of the closure of the Firenze Porta al Prato terminus on 12 September 2022.

• From Firenze Castello: 08:19, 09:19, 10:46, 14:40, 16:40, 18:40

• From Le Piagge: 07:59, 09:00, 10:28, 14:11, 16:11, 18:11

All trains run SuX.

Firenze S Maria Novella avoiding line: Firenze Rifredi – Firenze Campo di Marte

[46, 47, M60] (ERA-E 83B5; ERA-R 158C3; S+W 145C2) IT24/96

This north to west curve allows trains to run direct between the Bologna and Roma lines, without needing to reverse at Firenze S. Maria Novella. It is used by all express services not calling at Firenze S. Maria Novella and by local trains running directly between Firenze Campo di Marte and Firenze Rifredi. A large number of trains, both local and long-distance, use this route and can be readily identified in the timetable.

Firenze S Maria Novella – Firenze Campo di Marte

[47, 272, 273, M60] (ERA-E 83B5; ERA-R 158C3; S+W 145C2) IT24/97

There are two routes between Firenze Campo di Marte and Firenze S Maria Novella. Local services from and to Campo di Marte platforms 1 and 2 take the southerly route, which is partially shared with the line to Borgo S Lorenzo. High-speed services and a very few peak hour local services use platforms 3 upwards at Campo di Marte, so use the northerly route which is partially shared with the line to Firenze Rifredi.

Firenze Campo di Marte – Pian del Mugnone (PM Il Cionfo)

[273] (ERA-E 83B5; ERA-R 158C3; S+W 145C2) IT24/98

Most trains between Firenze and Borgo S Lorenzo via Vaglia leave from Firenze S Maria Novella, however the following trains leave from Firenze Campo di Marte and use this route.

D1	SSuX	R18985	14:10 Firenze Campo di Marte – Borgo S Lorenzo
	SuX	R18987	17:15 Firenze Campo di Marte – Borgo S Lorenzo
	SSuX	R18989	18:15 Firenze Campo di Marte – Borgo S Lorenzo
	SSuX	R18991	19:13 Firenze Campo di Marte – Borgo S Lorenzo
	SuX	R18984	Borgo S Lorenzo – 07:01 Pian del Mugnone – Firenze Campo di Marte
	SuX	R18986	Borgo S Lorenzo – 07:32 Pian del Mugnone – Firenze Campo di Marte
	SuX	R18988	Borgo S Lorenzo – 08:37 Pian del Mugnone – Firenze Campo di Marte
	SSuX	R18990	Borgo S Lorenzo – 13:29 Pian del Mugnone – Firenze Campo di Marte
	SSuX	R18992	Borgo S Lorenzo – 14:26 Fiesole-Caldine – Firenze Campo di Marte
D2	SuX/daily	R18994/18996	Borgo S Lorenzo – 19:23 Fiesole-Caldine – Firenze Campo di Marte

D1: Until 19 July and from 19 August

D2: Daily from 19 June to 11 August, running as R18996 on Sundays

Firenze Osmannoro depot shuttle: Firenze Rifredi (Dev. Olmatello) – Osmannoro Works platform

(ERA-E 83C4-C5; ERA-R 158B3; S+W 145B2) IT24/99

The Osmannoro locomotive depot and works is at the end of a 4 km branch off the Firenze to Pisa line between Firenze Rifredi and Le Piagge. A train operates from Firenze S Maria Novella for the benefit of employees. These are booked to call at Firenze Rifredi, platform 7, in 2023 and 2024 the scheduled timings were 07:40 SuX, 07:55 SSuX, 07:59 SO, and 08:09 SuX. In the summers of 2022 and 2023, however, only one train was observed to call at Firenze Rifredi, with at most half a coach occupied by workers. There are late afternoon passenger trains from Osmannoro, but no return services in the morning.

These trains are intended for use only by workers at Osmannoro, where there is no public access.

Cecina – Volterra Saline-Pomarance

[259] (ERA-R 160A5; S+W 56C1-57A1) IT24/100

There was a limited summer service on this branch line until 2020. There is usually an annual excursion on the first Sunday of November. In 2022 the train ran on 6 November, departing Cecina at 11:32 and Volterra Saline-Pomarance at 16:30. In 2023 the train should have run on 5 November, but didn't due to adverse weather conditions, it should have departed Cecina at 11:30 and Volterra Saline-Pomarance at 16:30. Further details from Agenzia Visione del Mondo; booking@visionedelmondo.com or phone +39 577 48003 / Fax 281834. There seems to be another excursion planned on 17 March 2024, further details at La Fibula Viaggi.

Routes used occasionally for diversions

Pisa S Rossore (Pisa dev Navicelli) – Livorno Centrale (Pisa, Binario Mezzaluna)

[2, 32, 33] (ERA-E 81B5; ERA-R 157A1; S+W 50B1) IT24/101

This north to south curve enables trains to run between the La Spezia and Livorno lines without passing through Pisa Centrale. It is used rarely by overnight trains, with the usual call at Pisa Centrale omitted.

Pisa Centrale – Vada (via Collesalvetti)

[2, 33] (ERA-E 81B5-C5; ERA-R 157A1; S+W 51B3-56C1) IT24/102

This electrified, single-track line provides an alternative to the main line between Pisa and Vada. It is occasionally used by overnight passenger trains on diversion. This is indicated by a call at Livorno Central being omitted, but sometimes trains do not stop there because they are diverted between Pisa and Roma via Firenze. It is important to check that the train passes through Vada and other stations to Roma via Civitavecchia.

In 2023 there were extremely unusual daytime diversions.

The following trains are diverted this way in 2024. The two IC trains to Livorno are presumed to be diverted this way as they are shown passing through Cecina and have a much extended journey time between Pisa Centrale and Livorno Centrale.

D1	SSuO	IC679	Milano Centrale – 22:22 Pisa Centrale – Livorno Centrale
D1	SSuO	IC685	Milano Centrale – 23:22 Pisa Centrale – Livorno Centrale
D2		ICN799/1515	Torino Porta Nuova – 02:21/31 Pisa Centrale – Salerno
D3		FB8630	Roma Termini – 20:32 Campiglia Marittima – Genova Piazza Principe
D1	SSuO	IC522	Napoli Centrale – 22:10 Cecina – Sestri Levante
D1	SSuO	ICN796	Salerno – 01:53 Grosseto – Torino Porta Nuova

D1: 27 January to 11 February and 24 & 25 February

D2: SSuO as D1 and also SSuX from 22 January to 15 March

D3: 27 January