Black cloud against grey clouds on the altiplano

On the bridge

Located at kilometer 84, Puente Carrion is the biggest bridge of the line. It was built in 1937 by the Cleveland Bridge Company. It is 218 m / 715 ft long and 80m /... (more)

Climbing the Andes above San Bartolome
Coordinates of the train: South 11d 54m 23.7s – West 76d 31m 4.6s
Railroad: FCCA (Ferrocaril Central Andino)
Locomotive: GE C30M-3
Location: San Bartolome, Peru
Locomotive #: FCCA 1010
Train ID: -
Photo Date: September 05, 2010

Highest tunnel

We are in the Galera tunnel, near the East portal. At 4681m/15786ft, this is the highest railroad tunnel in the world. Ice on the walls denotes the harsh weather c... (more)

Highest tunnel

Here is the East portal of the Galera tunnel. At 4781 m / 15681 ft, this is the highest railroad tunnel in the world. The sign on the right reads: "The speed on en... (more)

A famous summit

Galera was the highest railroad station in the world before the opening of the Tibet railroad. Note that the summit section of the “Central Andino” was inaugurate... (more)

Andean painting series – The 1016 and 1018 at Rumichaca

At 4390 m above sea level, FCCA 1016 and 1018, both ex NS Dash8-39C, are climbing the difficult grade (4.27%) on the east ... (more)

A hero

Conquering the Andes every day, he is very focused on his work. The dangers of driving a train in high mountains, on a vertiginous right of way with the most severe grades... (more)

Andean painting

We are behind the Andes Cordillera, on the Altiplano. This is the Oroya – Cerro de Pasco line. it mainly serves the big mines and mining industries at Cerro de Pa... (more)

Ernesto Copello and Van Brooklyn

This bridge was formerly called Van Brooklyn. Today, it bears the name of Ernesto Copello, a Central Andino railroad worker now deceased. The bri... (more)

Not a railroad related caption

At San Bartolome, the Central crosses an area cultivated with cactuses. These cactuses do not produce the barbary fig (prickly pear). Instead they ... (more)

The track inspector and his dog

“The Ferrocarril Central Andino is the most difficult railroad in the world” says his Chairman, Juan De Dios Olaechea. With towering mountains all... (more)

The Balta loops

The Balta loops are located between Surco and Matucana. The first loop is a circular tunnel and the second one can be seen on the right of this picture. Between t... (more)

The Balta loops

The Balta loops are located between Surco and Matucana. The first loop is a circular tunnel and the second one is illustrated on this picture. Between the lower e... (more)