Rocks, road and train: This car has crossed the track a few seconds before the freight train passes

Departure uphill

Short freighttrain waits near Matucana

In a few moments the crew is ready for the departure

A switchman is jumping off the (moving) lead engine as the train approaches the switchback between San Mateo and Rio Blanco.

1009 and 1008 are on their way to Rio Blanco, closely following the Carretera Central in this section.

1001 will reach Casapalca in a few minutes. Down in the valley you can see the Carretera Central. Also note that even though we are at close to 4000 meters asl, there are still trees growing here!

701 has just passed the curves and loops through the cactus fields (very nasty, I can tell you) around the town of San Bartolomé, which you can see in the background. The train will shortly reach... (more)

A lucky shot - the sun had reached the bottom of the valley only a few minutes earlier. 1003 is crossing the Carretera Central twice over this steel bridge just before arriving at Rio Blanco.

Because San Bartolomé is a switchback without counterpart, trains have to be re-arranged before they can proceed to Lima. After an epic one-hour shunting operation 701 is finally being coupled to... (more)

FCCA no. 1008 and 1009 cross a bridge between San Mateo and Rio Blanco. The steel bridge underneath is an old road bridge.

FCCA no. 1008 and 1009 climbing a switchback between Matucana and Tamboraque

Since San Bartolomé is a "switchback" with no counterpart, locomotives need to be run around the trains (and turned on the turntable) before proceeding. And since they've already taken the train ... (more)

FCCA's lower sections (well, close to 2000 m in this case) are still quite spectacular.