Huancayo-Huancavelica Railway El Tren Macho

Huancayo-Huancavelica Railway

The Huancayo-Huancavelica Railway, also called "El Tren Macho" is a historic and legendary railroad in current operation, with an area of ​​128 km. It joins the cities of Huancayo and Huancavelica , in the central highlands of Peru.

Thanks to the influence of the Minister of Public Works Celestino Manchego Muñoz during the administration of President was constructed Augusto Leguia 1

El Tren Macho Historical Background

This railroad is born by law 667 of November 20 , 1907 . Originally designed to reach Castrovirreyna and Ayacucho . The first studies were carried out by Mr. Carlos Weber. That same year the works began with funds from the Tobacconist's Estanco, but the construction was very slow and was paralyzed in 1910, when 20 km of embankments and 8 of rails had been advanced.

On September 2, 1910, Carlos B. Eddy and the government signed a contract for the construction from the point to which they had stopped. No work was done for many years under this new contract. The works were restarted by the government itself in 1918.

They call it the Tren Macho because until a few years ago, due to the various factors, it did not have the proper technical attention, so popularly the creative legend of the train that "leaves when it wants and arrives when it can" has spread. It is one of only two railroads that are still owned by the State in Peru. It is 148 km long and has a trail of 0.914 m. In 1926, an initial sector of 77 km was delivered to traffic and the rest in 1933. Minister Celestino Manchego Muñoz decided to extend the route to Huancavelica to boost the area.

Some additional kilometers were built to Castrovirreyna and Ayacucho, however, the technical difficulties and the continuous landslides, conditioned the cancellation of works.

El Tren Macho Rolling Stock

• Three Baldwin 2-6-0 # 101, 102, 103 from 1921 to 1924 used in the fast service;
• One Baldwin 2-8-2 "President Leguía" of 1927; Y,
• A Henschel 2-8-2 # 104 of 1950.

Other locomotives were acquired and later transferred to Cusco-Santa Ana .
He also owned International and Wickham autorails .

El Tren Macho Locomotives since 1926

Locomotives since 1926 of the Huancayo-Huancavelica Railway

El Tren Macho Stations

• Chilca (M. Tellería
• M. Cáceres
• Yauli

From Huancavelica to Huancayo: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6:30 a.m.

From Huancayo to Huancavelica: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:30 a.m.

El Tren Macho Technical Data

El Tren Macho Altitude: 4 700 meters above sea level. This railroad was going to be the highest in Peru and the world surpassing the Central of 4 810 meters above sea level , since in the Castrovirreyna section, which was never built, it would have reached 4,960 meters above sea level.

El Tren Macho Pending Angle: 3.5%
El Tren Macho Curves: Maximum radius of 80 m
El Tren Macho Ballast: Gravel and crushed stone
El Tren Macho Sleepers: 2 m spaced every 1.7 m
El Tren Macho Rails: 50 pounds per yard
El Tren Macho Fuel: Initially coal , oil and currently diesel and natural gas
El Tren Macho Bridges: 15
El Tren Macho Tunnels: 38 between 20 and 152 meters long

Modernization of the El Tren Macho 

The works for the modernization of the El Tren Macho train began in 2008.
 
Currently the train transits from Huancayo to Huancavelica wide gauge railway, reducing the travel time from six to three hours. In this way, Huancavelica, capital of one of the poorest regions of Peru, was joined by a section 128 km with the thriving commercial center of Huancayo. Likewise, the city will be connected to Lima through the central railway, which will allow it to have a powerful tool to boost its agricultural production, its commerce and its tourism.
 

More History of the El Tren Macho

The Tren Macho was built in October 1926. Its first route started in Huancavelica , and then it reached Huancayo ( Junín ). The singular name has several meanings; for some it comes from the Quechua word Machu that means old , for the people of the region it is known with such a name because the phrase came out when he wanted and came when he wanted to or when he could . In addition to the deficiencies that presented the train and the strident sound that made when starting its journey.

El Tren Macho Train Route

The route is very rugged and has many trails through its path. It passes 37 tunnels and 15 bridges. In addition it crosses the valley of the Mantaro by fields of culture, rivers , broken and spectacular places; the journey is 128 kilometers between the provinces. The journey takes around 6 hours. It has stops at Tellería, Izcuchaca, La Mejorada, Acoria and Yauli stations. The  train has space for 70 passengers and if you add one more car it can hold up to 130 people. Part of the Macho train route corresponds to Cápac Ñam, the great Inca road.

When crossing La Mejorada, vendors go up and some passengers take advantage of buying handmade sweets. After passing through the town of Izcuchaca, you can see the colonial style bridge Izcuchaca. You can also observe medicinal baths and rural stations.

El Tren Macho Departures

The train resumed its route after several interruptions.

The trip from Huancayo to Huancavelica is from Monday to Saturday at 6.30 am. and 12:30 pm. The departure is from the Chilca station in Huancayo to Huancavelica (arrival is around 12:30 pm). Return at two in the afternoon and arrive in Huancayo again at 7 or 8 at night. Sundays leave at 6:30 am from the Huancavelica station and at 2:00 pm from the Chilca station in Huancayo.

El Tren Macho Tickets and Service

The normal ticket is 9 soles and in the buffet category it is 13 soles. They offer restaurant service, in which passengers can find  typical local foods  in the restaurant of the train and traditional dishes of the Peruvian highlands. The favorite of tourists is cheese with corn . They also offer handmade products made by visitors to each place, through which the railroad passes. You can purchase tickets at the Huancayo and Huancavelica train stations.

The experience in the Macho train is incomparable and surprising. If you plan to know the mountains and part of the jungle , the route will be very opportune. On the other hand make the trip on the Macho train, it will be a unique experience that will really treasure forever.

El Tren Macho Notes for Travellers

ake the most of the time in Peru. One of the most interesting routes through the country are the trains that cross the great Andean landscape. Do you like nature and adventure? Then you will enjoy it because these routes have a lot to explore.
 

The Tren Macho  Construction Detail

Its construction was carried out on October 24, 1926 to unite the towns of Huancayo and Huancavelica . Initially it had as purpose the mining transport, but for the exciting thing of its route it finished like tourist transport.

On your journey you will encounter majestic gorges and deep canyons. The Macho train will show you the wonderful shapes of the Peruvian relief. Observe from its wagons the course of  the Mantaro River , which imposing looks for attention. Crossing its dark 38 tunnels and its 15 steep bridges you will be able to appreciate the different shapes of Peru.

And if you want a rest, the community of La Mejorada offers you its delicious typical dishes. Bring your sweets for the road and craft souvenirs. Once on board, a few roads the Ichu river will announce new adventures.

When you pass through the town of Izcuchaca, you will see the Puente de Izcuchaca, an ingenious colonial-style construction. Also the medicinal baths and the rustic stations that give way to the modern road engineering of the lane.

No problem for the comfort of the trip. The male train has autovagons for 70 passengers. You can calmly take photos and share a lunch with your friends or family.

The route of Huancayo - Huancavelica lasts approximately 6 hours. If you want to know the wonderful landscape of the mountains and central jungle , we recommend the Macho train as the ideal transport.

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