The station of Caldine was not in origin one of the original one. The
first station after Firenze was Montorsoli,
but after only two year was added this station to split the 14 km section,
with fairly grades, from Firenze to Montorsoli.
The first stion was a wooden barrack and the actual buildings were opened
in 1934.
This is the reason for the completely different style of the station (style
that is anyway different from the contemporary stations built in the same
years). At right the centre of the little town, that is grown all around
the station, seen from the station
Unique for a station in Toscana are the painted decorations along the windows
and the wooden roof on the corner.
I put here a few images of the completely restored station (as are all
the other in the line, except Campomigliaio and Fontebuona that are completely
new (S. Marco Vecchio have no buildings, Pian del Mugnone and Cercina are
just stops)
We see here the "Empty" station and the new bench. The station
actually is remote controlled. This bench so it is just a reserve.
Caldine has been the place where in the opening
day there was the largest attendance, or at least the greatest crowd.
Here is the image of arrival of the first train, that is available either
as an audio clip or a video/audio
clip.
After Caldine the the first old iron bridges have been changed to steel/concrete,
the line then go across the River Mugnone and the line move far from the
road ... we have to chase it ...
It enter in a tunnel and reappear after a more-than-half loop.
The place is not easily accessible and to be seen one have to chase a little.
The trail is fine so one like do it ...
We get
the line again: This is the image of the exit of the tunnel. A nearby and
clearer image is for the next time ...
After the half loop have been built a nev stop, named "Mimmole"
. Large image below is the picture. The stop is just a platform with an
adjacent parking. It is in an area of recent urbanization but without any
transit service. For this reason in the first reduced timetable (only 9
couples a day) all trains but one have the stop here.
Some misty images of Mimmole and the tiny station are in the last second
of the videoclip on Basciano
The interest in this new year trip is to look at the new (!) bridges at Basciano ...
This is the argument of next page ...
There is a detailed map, where in purple you see the laid tack and in orange the places where have to be laid (as 1.2.98) . It is a LONG file so download only if you have fast connections. this MAP
I will post new images in brief time ... tell me if you want ...
There is a detalied map, where in purple you see the laid tack and in orange the places where have to be laid. It is a LONG file so download only if you have fast connections. these MAP
For information on the section North of Pratolino (valle del Carza) click here.
If you will come here I will be happy to arrange a trip together
