Colin Churcher 2020

The nandu is a type of rhea, a flightless bird found in many parts of Paraguay. As a finale to Paraguay I though I would show some of the non rail pictures I took outside Asuncion  which is a bustling city.  These pictures were all taken some 20 years ago so conditions will likely have changed now. Looking into the mist At San Salvador a group of railwaymen are chatting in the shade Outside of Asuncion horse-drawn vehicles were the norm Typical village street Pigs roam free in the village Water, water everywhere. They were keeping a wary eye out for snakes A horse-drawn taxi Jesuit ruin Jesuit ruin A sunset from the outskirts of Asuncion  

Our second day turned out misty  But the mist soon cleared and we were treated to a leisurely journey through interesting countryside Much of the trip was through a soggy landscape Along the way we took on a newly painted locomotive that had just come out of Sapucay works The soggy journey continued At one point we disembarked to take a shot of the train on a bridge.  There were some photogenic boats by the start of the runpast The train was placed correctly on the bridge but it stayed there for over half an hour - turns out the crew were making repairs When our train finally moved forward there was another good photo opportunity. The views from the tender were excellent with wood smoke wafting back There were frequent stops  - to allow the engine to recover We finally reached Encarnacion where a train for Asuncion was being made up Encarnacion A number of steam locomotives had been left to the jungle It was not a good idea go go into the vegetation - never know what might be hiding in

  My third and last trip to Paraguay was with a fan trip in 1995.  On this we went on a special train across the country from Asuncion to Encarnacion, on the border with Argentina, and return Firing was a two-man operation It was a leisurely day There were several stops for photos There was a quick visit to a sugar factory The crew were very accommodating and there was a long conversation for the last stop of the day which produced one of the best pictures I have ever taken. We were out in open country and the idea was to get a glint shot with the setting sun. (there seems to be a springs problem with the second car which was leaning to one side) This shot worked out reasonably well but they backed up and stood waiting while we watched anxiously as the sun dropped lower and lower. There were several shouts of "Call it forward, we are going to lose the light" but the leader waited until the last possible moment before giving the signal. This was the final (magnificent) shot of

  Sunday morning in the country.  Interesting way to get to church at Villarica. The young lady was persuaded to pose for us. My second visit to Paraguay was in 1994, ten years after my earlier visit.  This time I was on a railfan tour which crossed the country by rail and exited into Brazil through Iguazu Falls. Our special train started out from Asuncion We were soon in open country There was a stop at the station in Piratu There was a short visit to the works at Sapucay, this time on a dry day. There was a three man crew on the engine - the driver, one man to bring forward the wood and a third man to put the wood in the fire.  They were wearing flip flops and kicked the wood into the fire. Taking water Our train stood on a bridge for us to take pictures The next day we were at Villarica early in the morning A horse and trap appeared and stopped to look at our train.  This was quite picturesque but a young lady appeared who was making her way to church and we managed to persuade her