In the era of high speed, in an ever-changing world, it is still possible to come across some positive signs of the old days.
The most wonderful railway ever built was made by the Italians in Eritrea during colonialism: it covers a route stretching from the sea at Massawa to the capital city of Asmara, situated on its high plane. The few remaining steam locomotives make their way along this treacherous route through tunnels and across viaducts and amazing bridges. The tracks are only 95 cm wide and are the few remaining witnesses of Italian colonisation and the British victory during the Second World War. But not only, they also witnessed the shepherds and caravans of camels that used to use the same incredible route through the mountains, far away from everyone and everything. After being abandoned for years, the railway has been renovated and is back in working order. Putting the Littorine (diesel engines) back on track wasn’t an easy job and there was only one way to do it: the old railwaymen, who used to work here during the Italian colonisation, were called back to work and managed to get the ancient locomotives running again. This historical train is now driven by a crew of proud pensioners who still remember the episodes, the people and all the mysteries involved in this incredible railway.
You can really ride on it, it’s safe. A trip on board a steam train built by the Italians a hundred years ago to discover the future of the most beautiful railway in the whole wide world.