VOLOS, Greece — The legendary little steam train of Pelion, also known by the nickname 'Moutzouris', will return to the tracks from this Saturday, June 26 and its whistle will once again sound between the slopes of the mythical mountain of the centaurs. The train will start offering day trips to tourists from this weekend and every following weekend throughout the summer, giving thousands of visitors the opportunity to travel with this unique and historic steam-powered locomotive.

It is worth mentioning that the little train of Pelion is unique worldwide in that it moves on a very narrow track with a 60 cm gauge and traverses the incomparably beautiful scenery of Mount Pelion, with views toward the Pagasetic Gulf as it journeys from Ano Lehonia to Milies. The train will depart from the railway station at Ano Lehonia at 10:00 and return from Milies at 15:00. A one-way ticket costs 10 euro, while a return ticket costs 18 euros.

The Pelion steam train with its unique narrow track started operating between Volos and Lehonia in 1895 and between Lehonia and Milies in 1903, covering a total distance of roughly 29 km. It was ingeniously designed and constructed by the Italian engineer Evaristo de Chirico, father of the renowned surrealist painter Giorgio de Chirico, who was born and went to school in the area. The artist is said to have drawn his inspiration for the metaphysical period in his work particularly from his childhood memories of the mountain of the centaurs and Argonauts.