Train to machu picchu

[Nataraj]

I always wanted to go to machu picchu after seein this TV show about it. ( I was close to 12 ). Anyways, I recoreded it and have since lost it. It showed a rail line into the andes mountains to machu picchu. They ran steam locomotives and did a locomotive change half way up. Did a little research on it and all I could find were tourist trains. ( diesel, ugh.... )

Anyone know anything about this train into the andes?? Is it still running?? If it helps, I think it was a local train.

Thanks.

[1702]

Did you check out
http://www.orient-express.com/web/tper/tper_perurail_thetrains.jsp

[Nataraj]

Yes I did, but they run diesel trains up the mountains. But this is a different service than what I was looking for. Are there any more local trians running?? Steam?? The one I saw on TV was a steam engine..... as I said, lost the tape.

Thanks

[1702]

Here's another site for steam news coverage -

http://www.steam.dial.pipex.com/americas.htm

[MStLfan]

And have you checked these?

http://www.railserve.com/Passenger/South_America/

 

http://www.perurail.com/

 

I think that you will be out of luck with regard to steam trains on the Cuzco - Machu Pichu route (also known as Ferrocaril Cuzco Santa Ana once upon a time). Most, if not all services, certainly those for tourists are by diesel rail cars. If you are lucky some old cars are still running, e.g. railbusses from Ferrostaal of Germany and I think they also had 1 or more from Japan. The Peruvians also build a number themselves. As for locomotives, Peru bought a lot of Alco's / MLW's. Including some for the narrow gauge lines of which Cuzco - Machu Pichu is one. A goal in themselves I would think.

 

There should be some narrow gauge steamers around, most probably on the Huancayo - Huancavelica line (an extension of the Central of Peru).

 

greetings,

Marc Immeker

[1702]

How about steam in Ecuador?  Trains Unlimited Tours 2007 schedule includes a tour of the Guayquil & Quito RR 9/8 - 16/07 with steam-powered charter trains almost every day.  Not Machu Picchu, but definitely the Andes.    http://www.trainsunlimitedtours.com

Sorry these links aren't coming out clickable.

[Nataraj]

Thanks everyone. Seems like all steam has stoppped on the machu picchu line. Anyways, is there a way to incorperate the Huancayo - Huancavelica line into a trip to machu picchu. ( like lima - Huancayo - Huancavelica - cuzco - machu picchu ) ?? I could not find a rail map showing all the cities.

Thanks for the help

[MStLfan]

At one time they may have planned to connect both narrow gauge lines but that did not happen.

You have to take a bus between Huancavelica and Machu Picchu or Cuzco.

greetings,

Marc Immeker