Italy (Toscana) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services
Introduction
This list is based on the timetable in force from 15 December 2024. Although the timetable is shown as valid until 14 June 2025, most long-distance services are shown as operating only for a couple of months. 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) IT25/91
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. Accordingly, trains between Firenze and Livorno use the western route (via Tagliaferro) and those between La Spezia and Livorno run via the eastern route (via Collodoca).
Campiglia Marittima avoiding line: San Vincenzo (Campiglia deviatoio Piazzalone) – Populonia (Campiglia deviatoio Baratti)
[33, 260] (ERA-E 81C5; ERA-R 160A5; S+W 56C3) IT25/92
This north to west curve is used by trains between Livorno and Piombino Marittima, if not calling at Campiglia.
| R18255 | Firenze Santa Maria Novella – 07:30 San Vincenzo – Piombino Marittima | ||
| D1 | SuO/SSuO | RV4015 | Firenze Santa Maria Novella – 09:41 San Vincenzo – Piombino Marittima |
| D2 | SuO | R19469 | Livorno Centrale – 09:45 San Vincenzo – Piombino Marittima |
| D3 | SuO/SSuO | R19486 | Piombino Marittima – 19:43 Populonia – Firenze Santa Maria Novella |
| D5 | SuO | R19488 | Piombino Marittima – 21:43 Piombino – Firenze Santa Maria Novella |
D1: SuO from 20 April to 15 August, also SSuO from 7 June to 2 August
D2: until 13 April and from 17 August
D3: SuO from 20 April to 15 August, also SSuO from 17 May to 2 August
D5: From 11 May to 15 August
Asciano – Monte Antico
(ERA-E 83C1-C2; ERA-R 160C5-160B4; S+W 58B2-58A4) IT25/93
There are excursions over this line, typically from April to November. 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.
[Firenze] – San Donnino-Badia (Bivio/P.C. Renai) – Montelupo-Capraia (Bivio/P.C. Samminiatello) – [Empoli]
[280] (ERA-E 83B1; ERA-R 157B2; S+W 52B2-52B3) IT25/94
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 normally used by all trains not calling at Signa.
Firenze Castello – Le Piagge (Firenze Rifredi Dev Olmatello)
[280] (ERA-R 158B3; S+W 145C2) IT25/95
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.
On weekends between 15 March and 13 April, plus 9-11 May and 14-15 June Intercity trains between north and south Italy are diverted on this route and on IT25/144. They can be recognised by the additional stops in Firenze Castello, Pisa Centrale and Roma Ostiense instead of the usual stops between Firenze and Roma (e.g. Firenze Rifredi, Arezzo, Chiusi, Orvieto, Orte).
It is also sometimes used for diversions of overnight trains.
| D1 | MThO | ICN1963 | Milano Centrale – 00:02/06 TFO Firenze Castello – Siracusa |
| D2 | MThO | ICN1962 | Siracusa – 23:30 Salerno – Milano Centrale |
| D3 | MThO | ICN798 | Salerno – 23:49(MO)/00:08(FO) Roma Ostiense – Torino Porta Nuova |
D1: 6 March - 15 April, the curve is used the following day
D2: 3 March - 15 April, the curve is used the following day
D3: Leaves Salerno MThO 10 March - 15 April, the curve is used the next morning
Firenze Castello – Firenze Rifredi
[46, 256, M60] (ERA-E 83B5; ERA-R 158B3-158C3; S+W 145C2) IT25/96
The Linea AV/AC from Bologna runs parallel to the four tracks from Prato between Firenze Castello and Firenze Rifredi. The eastern couple of tracks from Prato (Linea DD) dives under the Linea AV/AC. Various crossovers allow exceptions, typically regional trains to Firenze Santa Maria Novella use the western couple of tracks into Firenze Rifredi platforms 5-6 (Linea LL), regional and intercity trains not calling at Firenze Santa Maria Novella follow the Linea DDthrough the diveunder, high speed trains stay on the flyover of the Linea AV/AC.
Firenze Santa Maria Novella avoiding line: Firenze Rifredi – Firenze Campo di Marte
[46, 47, M60] (ERA-E 83B5; ERA-R 158C3; S+W 145C2) IT25/97
This north to east curve allows trains to run direct between the Bologna and Roma lines, without needing to reverse at Firenze Santa Maria Novella. It is used by all express services not calling at Firenze Santa 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 Santa Maria Novella – Firenze Campo di Marte
[47, 272, 273, M60] (ERA-E 83B5; ERA-R 158C3; S+W 145C2) IT25/98
There are two routes between Firenze Campo di Marte and Firenze Santa 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 between Firenze Santa Maria Novella and Borgo San 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 between Firenze Rifredi and Firenze Campo di Marte (entry IT25/79 above).
Firenze Campo di Marte – Pian del Mugnone (P.M. Il Cionfo)
[273] (ERA-E 83B5; ERA-R 158C3; S+W 145C2) IT25/99
Most trains between Firenze and Borgo San Lorenzo via Vaglia run from/to Firenze Santa Maria Novella, however some trains run from/to Firenze Campo di Marte and use this route and can be easily identified in the timetable (note that most of the trains to Campo di Marte run SSuX).
Firenze Osmannoro depot shuttle: Firenze Rifredi (deviatoio Olmatello) – Osmannoro Works platform
(ERA-E 83C4-C5; ERA-R 158B3; S+W 145B2) IT25/100
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 Santa 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) IT25/101
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. Another excursion ran on 17 March 2024, further details at La Fibula Viaggi.
Routes used occasionally for diversions
[2, 32, 33] (ERA-E 81B5; ERA-R 157A1; S+W 50B1) IT25/101
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) IT25/102
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 Centrale 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.
