Arne stands transfixed at the beauty of S. Pietro. This is but one of the many hill towns the narrow gauge passes.
The heavy growth of blackberries prevented us from riding to the others. Perhaps someday the line will be preserved
as a national treasure.
Day Three (cont.)
Continuing across the S. Pietro bridge we had to stop at several vantage points to take in the Incredible view. It was hard to leave these viewpoints and move on. We headed up the grade but were not able to get more than a kilometer before the scourge of the blackberries defeated our progress once again. We passed through the steeply terraced hillsides where the local residences tended their family vineyards.
Back in S. Pietro we continued through the station and headed on down grade. We hoped to get as far as the next village. Another high arched stone viaduct crossed a lush green canyon and we encountered a tunnel with vines draped across the entrance. Passing through the tunnel we could see the next village ahead, but we were thwarted yet again by the ever-present blackberries. It was now getting late in the afternoon so we returned to the car and prepared to leave. Although our rides had been much shorter than we would have liked, we still felt fulfilled at riding the great bridge in S. Pietro. It seems fitting that the village and I share our names.
The Cosenza - San Giovanni Line (Narrow Gauge).
The narrow gauge crosses many
of these beautiful stone bridges (left).
Compared to the narrow wooden trestles in
the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.A. they
did not cause an adrenalin rush, but we
marveled at the workmanship that went into their construction.
Arne puts his loppers to good use.
We were able to clear this short section
of blackberries and vines from the tunnel mouth.
Passing through the tunnel we found ourselves
blocked once again and had to turn back.
How I would love to stay a month in S. Pietro with a few railbikers and spend our days clearing the tracks. We could probably open a good portion of the line. Of course, without the use of herbicides the blackberries would be back the following year. Between Cosenza and Comigliatello there are more than 40 tunnels and as many bridges. The railroad snakes around the mountainside through forests with unsurpassed views of the hilltop villages and the valley below. It is a engineering wonder and a national treasure that should be preserved for future genenerations of Italians to enjoy. Properly managed and promoted, it could successfully attract tourists from around the world.
