We are thinking of taking my in-laws to Italy, he is a huge rail fan, steam engines especially. Please list anything you know about unique trains in Italy. Any information at all would be a huge help.

Hi happytotravel, my father loved steam trains to.

Here is a website to get you started
http://www.railwaytouring.co.uk/repo...alyreport.html

I went to Google and typed "Italian steam trains Italy" in the search box and consequently got the above website. There are more so you might want to go to Google also. Let me know what you get worked out..it sounds like a fun trip!

Thanks, Love Italy. That site is interesting because he does a lot of rail tours thru the UK. I think I'll call and see if they have some recommendations.

Meanwhile, Has anyone ever seen steam engines in Italy, do they run all the time? or are they just used for tours? They do not have to be running for him to be interested in seeing them.

>Meanwhile, Has anyone ever seen steam engines in Italy, do they run all the time?

Methinks you are half a century too late. You will surely find museum railways with steam engine, but the typical Italian train material is rather like this:
http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/it/...al/AV/pix.html
Or
http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/it/...TR460/pix.html

Another website- or much better, calling these people was very helpful. They are live, train-loving, informative people
http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/

Thanks for your replies, I can tell from the first, that they obviously have steam trains, its just a matter of finding out where to view them. Viewing trains for some is like viewing art for others, so I just thought it would be nice to throw in train sight every now and then. While he still loves regular trains anything unique would be a bonus. Would you consider the Circumvesuviana to be unique? Thanks for your help.

There is an old rail line near Siena that is used only in certain days, with ancient steam or diesel trains.

Check here:

http://www.comune.siena.it/news.asp?id=10434&l=en

Thanks Stefm, that looks great. Anyone else?

Hi happytotravel, the website I gave you is about a steam train trip IN Italy..I just doublechecked the website. Just wanted to mention..but yes it seems like a tour versus a steam train that runs a regular route in Italy.

Thanks LoveItaly, you just go above and beyond.