We have been to quite a few places in Italy, but nothing as far south as Tropea. Decided to go in October to avoid the crowds. But we wanted to only use the train system. Or maybe rent a car for a few days down there. But we have read that at our age 77, we can’t rent a car and the train schedules are infrequent. We want to be able to see the other towns around Tropea. Any suggestions?

we had a car the whole time there and it was a very confusing area to get around in. I don't know how anyone would do it on the train. I would contact the car rental agencies because I was 70 years old and was able to rent a car in Italy.

Have you consulted rome2rio.com? It will provide options about how to get from place to place ... but you need to do enough research in advance to name the places. The Michelin Green Guide is excellent.

Why do you imagine that you cannot rent a car? My partner is that age and we have had no trouble, having rented last September in Sicily.
We no longer rent through AutoEurope (not for reasons of age but for other reasons) and now use SIXT on all of our visits to both Spain and Italy.
Sixt has an outlet at the airport in Lamezia Terme, but not in Tropea, but you might fly into Lamezia.
If not, I am almost certain that you would be able to rent from other agencies.
We have a neighbor in his mid-80s who rents regularly from various agencies in italy and elsewhere in Europe.
I would certainly want a car in Tropea, even if parking might not be simple...you might want to have one to explore the surrounding areas.

Even if you can rent a car, please don't try to drive within a day or so of your arrival if you will be crossing multiple time zones. Doing to would not be safe for you or for anyone else on the roads.