The global railway uniqueness, the famous train of Pelion, restarted its routes on the narrow tracks, ascending as always on the slopes of the beautiful mountain of the Centaurs.

Lovers of the train and of these unique routes, from every corner of the Earth arrive in Volos to enjoy the route from Ano Lechonia to Milies, mentally “traveling” at the beginning of the last century, when Evaristo De Chirico, the famous Italian engineer of that of the time and father of the great painter Giorgio De Chirico, “took pencil and paper” and designed the magnificent, for those years, Pelion roller coaster.

The project was not at all easy, since it is a construction in semi-mountainous and mountainous areas of Pelion with the aim of fast and safe transport of people and products, to and from the port of Volos and after significant delays on December 16, 1892 the contract was signed between of the “Thessaly Railways” company and the Greek state.

The works started immediately and it was preferred that the line be only 60 cm wide and in fact the Volos-Lechonia line had a track in the Bulletas an urban type of tram, and then the engraving was on the side of the road by Anavro as the Lechonia.

The project was completed and the inauguration of the line took place after almost 3 years, on October 12, 1895, with the first route from Volos to Ano Lechoniaand the line was 13 kilometers long and passed over the first bridge in the whole country that was made of reinforced concrete, the famous bridge of Vrychonas which is preserved to this day at the entrance of Kato Lechonia.

In 1900 it was decided to extend the line and a new contract was signed and 3 years later, on July 2, 1903, an additional 16 kilometers of line were inaugurated, from Ano Lechonia to Milies, which was the most difficult part of the railway extension.

In order for the train to reach Milies, many and difficult projects were required, namely the construction of nine two-arch, three-arch, four-arch and one five-arch stone bridges, as well as the creation of a long straight metal one, where the train moves on a curved track and the visitor it feels like it is literally in the air and flying. To all this must be added several tunnels, ramparts and footbridges, which even today cause admiration.

All these amazing and unique structures were in danger of being lost by the natural disaster that swept Volos and Pelion in September 2023, but with many efforts on all sides, everything that was hurt or damaged was restored and the legendary train is running again on its tracks. “Moutzouris” was silent for eight months, but fortunately it started to whistle again from May 3rd.

THE mayor of South Pelion Michalis Mitzikos, who recently took the lead in repairing the damage and re-opening the train, told APE-MPE that “the institutional and substantial cooperation between the municipality of South Pelion, OSE and Hellenic Train further strengthens the movement and the role that played the “Pileon Train” in the development of the region. The legendary means of transport for people and goods, “Moutzouris” is and will continue to be an important source of attraction for world tourism. What is required is the full development of the “Pelion Train” so that it benefits not only Pelion but also the whole of Magnesia”.

The response of the people is incredible and while the train was supposed to run two routes every Saturday and Sunday, it was decided to run one more route on Fridays as well. Occupancy is again at 100% and the train always goes up full, both with Greeks and with foreigners visiting the area.

trenaki piliou

Large tourist agencies of Athens and Thessaloniki have once again included the Pelion roller coaster in the programs and excursions they organize in Magnesia, decisively contributing to the further strengthening of tourist traffic and attendance.

For the visitor-traveler of the train, which departs from Lechonia at 10 in the morning, the railway stations in Agria and Lechonia are also impressive, while on the way there is also a 15-minute stop at Ano Gatzea. The departure from Milies is at 3 in the afternoon.

The mayor of South Pelion added that “visitors and tourists have the opportunity from Easter and throughout the summer tourist season to enjoy with the “Train of Pelion” a magnificent 16 km mountain route from Ano Lechonia to Milies, crossing verdant slopes, with dense vegetation and beautiful traditional settlements”.

Each train of the Lilliputian train has, in addition to the traction engine, which is currently diesel-powered, and four passenger carriages, which during the summer are replaced by others that are of the open type, without side curtains. When the weather is winter and cold, but also because of the altitude, the wagons are closed and built at the beginning of the previous century.

Nowadays, more than a century since it first whistled, the train is once again popular, since there is a great demand for the purchase of tickets, which is done online through the relevant website.