Nature Train 2018: climb aboard the steam locomotive!
Tourism and hospitality: the amazing idea of the Nature Train
The Nature Train is a great example of the way that options for tourists in the Province of Siena have been improved and expanded. The idea for this train was conceived in the 1990s, when the Asciano-Monte Antico branch line was closed, due to lack of demand caused by the declining local population. The Nature Train was a scheme to bring this line back to life, with support from RFI, Trenitalia, the Province of Siena, the Natural and Cultural Art Park of the Val d’Orcia, and above all volunteers from the Tuscan Historical Trains Association, Italvapore. The first attempt failed, but immediately afterwards the route was assigned to trains managed by local tourist agencies and by a new company: the Val d’Orcia Railway, or FVO. This time the venture succeeded, and thousands of visitors every year climb aboard the delightful Nature Train. Nowadays, the service is run by the Province of Siena and the Terre di Siena Association.
The Nature Train circuit: locomotives and carriages
The Nature Train stops at Siena station, allowing connections with other trains, but basically it runs in a circuit: Siena – Monte Antico – Asciano – Siena. Generally, four steam locomotives are used in rotation on the route. Passengers can stop off and visit some of the most attractive towns in the Siena area, with museums housing splendid works of art and archaeological finds. You can also opt to get off the train and explore the area on foot or by bike: there are many local trails and cycle paths that are very easy to follow. However, this historic train has also joined the modern era, offering a Wi-Fi service for passengers.
The Nature Train: non-stop from April to December
The Nature Train timetable for 2018 includes a good choice of services, and is regularly updated. The organisers recommend that passengers inquire about any changes to dates and times. Also, remember that seats are limited and so reservations are obligatory. During the spring, a trip to Buonconvento is scheduled for April 2nd, when the regional antique trade fair, “Cose del Passato”, is due to be held there. After that, on April 22nd, the train will be heading to San Quirico d’Orcia, where the Orcia Wine Festival takes place. Three days later, on April 25th, a trip is planned to the Primavera in Val d’Orcia event in Castiglione d’Orcia; while on May 1st, the Maggiolata festival will be celebrated in Sant’Angelo Scalo and Montalcino. On May 13th, the Nature Train sets off again to Asciano for the market of the Crete Senesi. And on May 20th, there’s the train festival in Torrenieri and Montalcino. On May 27th, there’s a visit to the town of Porsenna, Etruscan in origin, and on June 2nd we can celebrate the Day of the Republic in the setting of the Vegetable Village. After the summer, the service resumes on September 30th with a trip to Val d’Arbia festival, and will continue until December to include other scheduled events.
Hotel Italia is close to the centre of Siena and near the railway station, and so an ideal base if you want to visit the city of the Palio or travel on the Nature Train.