Peru Rail to Machu Picchu

[Bill Baskerville]

Yesterday I rode the 3 foot (Broadgauge) through to mile post 104. There we got off of the walked the Inca trail to the Sungate overlooking Machu Picchu. I can't seem to be able to put the pictures on the forum from my phone so I will have to wait until I return.

Bill

[Bill Baskerville]

Dwight informed me that there is a great article in this month's Trains on Peru, Railroading in the Clouds.  Here are a few pictures from last week of Peru Rail.  Peru has duel gauges, most is, in Steve's terms, "Broad Gauge" or 4' 8 1/2".  Some sections are 3', still "Broad Gauge" according to Steve.  The 3' section from the ancient Inca capital, Cusco, which follows down along the Urubamba River to the Hidroelectrica power plant below Aguas Calientes is about 4,000 feet below Machu Picchu.

Below are pictures of one of the large 3 footer motive power as well as one across the Urubamba River below KM 104 where we departed the comfort of PeruRail to trek up the old Inca Trail past many ruins to the Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu.

[Bill Baskerville]

Here is the train descending the Urubamba River

[Bill Baskerville]

Here is a close up of the "vista dome" car at KM 104 where Inca Trail hikers depart for the 7 mile 4k foot assent to the 'Sun Gate' over Machu Pichu.  I didn't think to bring a WW&F hat or shirt.

[Bill Baskerville]

Other than riding 74 mile Ferrocarril del Sur operated by Peru Rail, the other purpose of the trip was to see the lost city of the Inca's, Machu Picchu.

[Bill Baskerville]

Looking down 4,000 feet from Machu Picchu to the rail bridge across the Urubamba River just upstream from the Hidroelectrica power plant.  The dam is 10 to 15 miles upstream with two tunnels bored thru the mountain to shortcut a large horseshoe in the river that almost surrounds the lost Inca City high above.  This is not the place to slip on a wet trail.

[Bill Baskerville]

There are no roads to Auguas Calientes so all must arrive by Peru Rail.  There also are no cars.  The Station accommodates many trains throughout the day as all tourist arrive and depart by rail. 

[Bill Baskerville]

The fanciest way to get to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu is via the Hiram Bingnham which has an ornate brass observation platform on the tail end car.  The service aboard this train is excellent and involves copious amounts of alcohol. It is operated by the Belmond group, the same group that operates the Venice Simpleton-Orient Express.

[Bill Baskerville]

Aguas Calientes has no cars and no road access.  The train runs through the main town street.

[Bill Baskerville]

Aguas Calientes does provide bus service up the multi switchback road to the base of the Machu Picchu park.  The buses were brought in by train.

[Bill Baskerville]

There was one, sort of personal, vehicle in town.

[Bill Baskerville]

The main street thru Aguas Calientes is populated only by the tracks and sidewalks.  Everything the town needs is hauled in by train each day and all the trash goes out the same way twice a week.  There is no loading dock, it is all unloaded by hand on a grade level platform in the middle of the street.

Imagine  a town the size of Wiscasset with all supplies into and out of town supplied only by train.  Also receiving over 3,000 to 5,000 visitors every day, depending on the season.  That is a train service to have.

Finally, my apologies for all the different postings.  I didn't know any way to get the multiple pictures posted.

Bill

[Ira Schreiber]

A great look.
Thanks, Bill.