My intention is to train from Florence to Pisa S Rossore, spend some time (this is a lower priority for us) around The Tower and then continue on to Lucca for the rest of the day.

I plan to buy any required train tickets before leaving Florence.

I assume that by the time we get back on the train for Lucca our original tickets will have timed-out (is that correct?).

So I expect that I'll buy tickets for both legs of the ride to Lucca (Florence-Pisa and Pisa-Lucca) in advance to avoid any buying hassles in S Rossore.

Now the question.

I think the L tracks are those going to Lucca. If looking down from the air those should be the ones that veer to the right (when facing more or less north) of the station building. Correct?

I think there are two tracks going in that direction. Correct?

I also think the tracks/platforms are numbered from the station building going away. Correct?

Since the building is in the middle, that would mean track 1 would be the left hand track (looking in the direction of travel to Lucca) and track 2 would be the one to the right. Correct?

I realize we could ask but being a small station, is it possible that we'd be the only ones there even around noon time?

If you zoom in on satellite view (google maps or google earth) to these coordinates 43.723358,10.388331 you'll see that the active track is the one farthest to the right.

These coordinates should zoom you in directly on top of the plexiglass covered waiting area on the platform.

Thanks.

Are you assuming that the right-hand track is the active one because there's a covering on that side, because there are people on that side or both?

yes, all those reasons

a) people are visible
b) covered waiting area
c) there's a platform only on that side

There will be people there, even during lunchtime. The signs showing arrivals and departures are in the big ticket hall and the platform (binario) is clearly shown for each service. You will not have any problems.

I don't recall any big ticket hall at the Pisa S. Rossore station.

Pisa Centrale yes, but not Pisa S. Rossore.

Perhaps tarquin has a better memory than I do.

Can I assume that the ticket punch/validation machine is under the covering and not in that station building on the other side of the tracks?

<an I assume that the ticket punch/validation machine is under the covering and not in that station building on the other side of the tracks?>

I wouldn't.

If you are unable to validate your ticket before your board you are supposed to seek out the conductor and ask him to stamp if for you. If you wait for the conductor to come to you then you can get fined.

I think tarquin might be talking about Centrale not S. Rossore. There were no facilites when I was there.

Sorry, you're right, I was talking about Pisa Centrale, but the platforms will be posted at any station.

Has anybody taken the Lucca train from San Rossore?

Where is the validation machine?

Normally they are trackside and bright yellow. Scroll down to see a picture of a validation machine. Most are on a wall, but have also encountered more of a freestanding type trackside in some locations.
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/trains/station.htm