Virtual Railfan Tour of Peru - Huancayo to Huancavelica 1997

 

This fascinating picture was taken at Huancayo at the beginning of two wonderful days traveling out to Huancavelica and back the next day. It shows two locomotives built by Montreal Locomotive Works with consecutive road numbers but the one on the left is narrow gauge (3 foot) while that on the right is standard gauge. It seemed  a straight forward operation to change the trucks under the locomotives to change the gauge.
The line between Huancayo and Huancavelica is an isolated section of narrow gauge track at the end of the Peru Central line high in the Andes. Our trip was taken in a relaxed manner and it seemed the local people realized there was a small party of gringos and we were greeted at several stations and shown local customs.
We had lost our nurse at Huancayo, presumably we had acclimatized to the high altitude.  However we gained a couple of stewardesses. Their function was not clear and I didn't trouble to find out.
Huancayo provided plenty of interest. No 112 is a Baldwin 2-6-0 from the Guayaquil and Quito Railway (Ecuador)

Complex trackwork

No. 107 is a 2-8-0 built for the Huancayo and Huancavelica Railway

There was the opportunity for many run pasts

This was the bridge over the Mantaro River

We asked permission to be on the property to take our pictures. The lady was delightful

Our train on the bridge over the Mantaro river.

An interesting shaped tie

A meet with a freight train.

It was a bit of a shuffle. I don't believe there were passenger trains running because of the potential guerilla problems but people seemed to manage alright using the freight trains.

We were met by large crowds at some stations

It was such a happy occasion - we even got to try some of the local moonshine.

Then more fantastic runpasts





At Huancavelica it was evident that the railway was an important part of the local supply chain. It was a long, wonderful day and I felt we pretty much had the entire railway to ourselves. A quick meal and to bed looking forward for more of the same tomorrow.










  




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