003 The beautiful Taormina-Giardini station - no litter - nothing out of place.

 

004 The old waterpoints are still in situ at the end of each platform.

Note the old lamp on the top.

005 Class 656, electric No. 656028, rolls into Taormina-Giardini station with a sleeper service from Venezia to Siracusa on 11/9/09.

007 Class 656, 656028, makes a powerful departure fromTaormina – Giardini heading for Siracusa

010 Another view of Taormina Station looking towards Messina

 

013 Each platform at Taormina –Giardini sported one of these beautiful platform clocks also of note is the platform canopy - very English looking.

016 Another view of Taormina –Giardini station showing the main station buildings. Of note in the foreground is the large cast iron drinking fountain. These are positioned at each end of the platforms, and have proved very popular with the train crews, who dash from their hot cabs for a swift drink.

017 The incredible church-like roof of the booking hall at Taormina –Giardinia station.

 

024 Class 464 electric 464067 stands at Taormina-Giardinia with the 15-55 service to Messina Centrale. on 8/9/09

033 Taormina-Giardinia also had a bar on the platform, perfectly placed for rail enthusiasts, which I found very civilised.

037 Class 633 electric 633062 stands awaiting departure from Taormina-Giardinia with the 11:33 sleeper service from Venice to Siracusa

038 A close up of the powerful-looking 633062 as it departs Taormina-Giardinia.

039 Class 656 electric 656017 awaits departure from Taormina–Giardinia with the 15:42 “Treno del Sole” express to Messina Centrale.

045 Two heavily graffitied electric locos run through Taormina-Giardinia with a mixed freight consisting of wood traffic and tanker wagons.

046 Taken from my train an old diesel loco stands dumped in sidings at S. Teresa di Riva station.

052 Class 145, Diesel station pilot 1452047, stands at Messina Centrale station on 8/9/098

053 Heavily graffitied three car modern electric unit stands at Messina Centrale station having just transported me from Taormina on the 10:44 departure. Finding a window on this unit that you could see through was a challenge !!

057 One of the modern trams pictured in the city of Messina

 

066 Class 656s, 656043 and 656 017, arrive at their destination of Messina Centrale with the 13:50 departure from Siracusa.

071 Class 656s, 656043 and 656017, head light engine for the large motive power depot at Messina having had just worked in a service from Siracusa.

072 Class 443, Diesel 44310, 2 awaits a crewe change at Messina Centrale on 8/9/09

073 class145, diesel 1452034, station pilot shunts stock, including an ex works sleeping coach, at Messina Centrale, also on 8/9/09

077 Photographed from my train, PW shunter stands outside its shed at Giampilieri yard.

096 Class 656, electric 656026, awaits departure from Taormina-Giardini with the 11:43 departure to Siracusa.

097 Three car electric unit, surprisingly without graffiti, stands awaiting departure from Taormina-Giardini with the 10:27 departure to Catania Centrale on 11/9/09

098 Plinthed Steam Loco at Catania Centrale.

 

102 Class 656, electric loco 656095, rolls into Catania Centrale station ten minutes late with the 11:46 Inter-City service IC24 Siracusa to Rome .

104 The driver of IC24 the Rome express answers the call of nature, having just delivered me from Catania Centrale to Taormina-Giardini on 11/9/09 .

106 View of driver trailer end. No. 12106, at Taormina-Giardini.

 

108 Abandoned ex-postal van stands forgotten at the far end of the goods yard at Taormina-Giardini with its metal body red rust from the sea air.