An Open-Air Museum Dedicated to Vintage Trains
Inaugurated in 2017, the Pistoia Historical Rolling Stock Depot is a true gem for railway enthusiasts, history buffs, and engineering fans. Located at the old train station depot, it houses an extraordinary collection of steam locomotives, vintage trains, and vehicles undergoing maintenance, all within a unique open-air museum setting.
Alongside the rolling stock, visitors can admire numerous historical artifacts, such as a railway crane, a turntable for locomotives, as well as stands featuring vintage photographs, railway layouts, and models.
Unique Pieces on Display
Among the most prestigious pieces are:
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Locomotive 741.120: Built in the 1920s and modified in 1958 with the Franco-Crosti system, a uniquely Italian patent that reused hot exhaust gases to preheat water, thereby improving efficiency.
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D 342.4010: The only still-functioning Italian diesel-hydraulic locomotive, dating back to the 1950s, a testament to an era of technological experimentation.
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Littorine ALn 772.3265 and ALn 556.2331: The only two pre-war Italian railcars still in operation, from 1943 and 1936 respectively.
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746.038 (awaiting restoration): The largest steam locomotive ever built in Italy, designed to haul long-distance express trains. With 1,750 horsepower and a top speed of 100 km/h, it represents the pinnacle of steam railway technology.
A visit to the Historical Rolling Stock Depot offers a special opportunity to step back in time and admire up close the protagonists of 20th-century railway transport.