The legendary steam train of Mt Pelion, Magnesia Prefecture, central Greece, known as "Moutzouris" (meaning, "coal black") has turned106 years old and together with a second such train in Belgium are the only ones in the world running on a 60 cm-narrow gauge railway track. It was built in 1903 by Italian engineer Evaristo De Chirico, the father of the famous surrealist painter Giorgio de Chirico, and was used to carry passengers and cargo from the Pagasitic Bay seaport city of Volos to Milies on Mt Pelion, home of the centaur Chiron according to ancient Greek mythology. 

On October 12, 1895 "Moutzouris" made its inaugural journey from Volos to Ano Lechonia and 8 years later the extension from Ano Lechonia to Milies was opened and ran without an interruption until 1971 when automobiles took over as the preferred means of transportation.

During WWII, the Germans used the train for their transportation and when they withdrew blew up part of the railway network that was later restored.

In 1995 the train was put again in operation for tourism reasons. The cars used are the original ones, while the old steam engines, named "Milies" and "Jason", were also used at first but in 2000 they were replaced by diesel-powered engines for faster and safer journeys.

The special train service starts in April each year and makes the roughly 90-minute trip from Ano Lechonia to Milies passing through a region of majestic natural beauty.

Beginning on April 11 the train will run on weekends while the option of leasing will be available to associations, tourist groups or even embassies. Service will be on a daily basis in July and August, to be interrupted in October for the winter season due to weather conditions and for maintenance purposes. 

Caption: The legendary steam train of Mt Pelion, Magnesia Prefecture, central Greece, known as "Moutzouris" at Milies station on Friday 10 April 2009. ANA-MPA/str