Peru

The Country

Peru is a fascinating country with some of the most picturesque landscapes in the world; including places like Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines. During my 2 week trip we barely touched the sides in regards to what the country has to offer but it was worth every minute and every pound we spent getting there.

Train Travel

Peru Rail – offer trains Cusco Poroy – Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu, Urubamba – Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu & Machu Picchu – Hirdoelectrica. Luxury trains are also offered from Cusco Poroy – Machu Picchu & return (Hiram Bingham Express) & from Cusco Wanchaq – Puno & return (Andean Explorer)

Inca Rail – offer trains from Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu only

FCCA – offer tourist trains from Lima to Huancayo; usually operated once a month from April to November

Train times and Tickets

Train times and prices are listed on the Railway’s respective website

For the Rail Enthusiast

Locomotives seen in action during Christmas 2013 on the Machu Picchu line were:

Alco/MLW – 352, 353, 356, 358, 400, 481, 482, 484, 487

GM – 500, 510, and i’m sure I saw 520 on shed at San Pedro!?

Vistadome DMU’s

601 0650 Urubamba – Machu Picchu, 204 1337 Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo, 603 1537 Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu, 606 1810 Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo

301 0705 Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu, 302 1055 Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo, 303 1327 Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu, 304 1548 Machu Picchu – Urubamba

ALL other trains shown as Vistadome in the timetable were loco-hauled

Loco-Hauled Trains

These do seem to have set turns but when the need arises the locos appear to be swapped round as needed; this was only seen in relation to the internal Ollantaytambo turns and whatever came from Cusco returned to Cusco on the opposing working; other than the following:

203 0825 Cusco Poroy – Machu Picchu then worked 501 1330 Machu Picchu – Hidroelectrica & into the Ollantaytambo whirlpool

501 0853 Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu then worked 604 1727 Machu Picchu – Cusco Poroy having come out of the Ollantaytambo whirlpool

Two locos are stabled in the street at Aguas Calientes every day and every day they worked the same trains from the same position; without fail.

Loco attached to the freight wagons then works 84 1845 Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo

Loco stabled on top of it (nearest Machu Picchu station) then works 604 1727 Machu Picchu – Cusco Poroy

Trains 71-76 inclusive on the Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu circuit is a solid end to end turn and was actually one of the Peru Rail GM’s the whole time we were there.