News Chile
19.02.2024
Merval
The devastating fires in the Viña del Mar, Quilpué and Limache regions also brought the Merval S-Bahn to a stand-still. Thanks to the help from the army and civil defense and financial help from the state, traffic was back into operation in sections after a few days. After 5 days the route could be operated in two sections, namely Valparaíso - El Salto and Quilpué - Limache. The fire caused some structural damage on the 4 km between El Salto and Quilpué, but this was repaired within two more days. After 7 days, non-stop traffic was resumed on February 9, 2024 at 12.00 noon.
(Source: FCNews 77)
Puerto Montt
Renovation work on the southernmost station of the EFE railway system begins March 14, 2024! This work, which includes all parts of the La Paloma train station building in Puerto Montt, will be completely renovated or replaced, but without changing the lines of the building. The station had been empty for 17 years. Now the local rail transport from Llanquihue will not only go as far as Puerto Varas - where public trips continue to take place approximately every month - but will continue via the station at Alerce to La Paloma in Puerto Montt.
(Source: FCNews 77)
Ferrocarril Tacna-Arica
After more than 2 months without rail service, traffic between Tacna and Arica will resume on February 19, 2024, as the press in Peru and Chile reported. According to the information available, both pairs of trains should run again. These would be the departures at 06.00 and 16.00 from Tacna with the corresponding return journeys. The tariff remains at 20 soles and sales take place in both stations from 7.30 to 13.00. For the time being, railcar No. 261 with 49 seats, which has been renovated again in the meantime, is in operation. As the provincial government further announced, railcar no. 257 with 70 seats is now being refurbished in the Tacna workshop. It should be back in use about at the middle of the year. In addition, the small railcar no. 396 (presumably a Wickham vehicle) was made operational again. The railway museum in Tacna has been open again since the beginning of February and entry costs 5 soles, he said. The closure period was also used for some repairs on the over 60 km long route.
(Source: FCNews 77)
28.01.2024
Santiago – Chillán
The devastating damages caused by the floods of September 2023 between Santiago and Chillán are being repaired step by step. Trains are running again from Santiago to Curicó, where the first of the new express trains from China are in use since January 19, 2024. At the southern end, local trains run between Chillán – San Carlos and Parral. Even though the rest of the railway line has largely been renovated, works on four large bridges have not yet been completely completed. These are the Achibueno, Lircay, Longaví and Diguillín bridges. The damage to the first two bridges was particularly severe and the work is almost equivalent to building new ones. But new abutments and some pillars have also to be built on the other two bridges. Originally it was not planned to resume through traffic before July 2024, but the works have now progressed to such an extent that the Santiago – Chillán traffic can probably resume in March.
(Source: FCNews 76)
Temuco Trenes urbanos de la Araucania
The government keeps its promises. After the suburban trains Temuco - Pitrufquén and Temuco - Padre Las Casas were put into operation in two steps in 2023, local trains run now also between Temuco and Cajón, heading north. In addition, the service between Temuco and Loncoche was improved by one more train in the middle of the day in addition to the three pairs of trains Temuco - Victoria.
(Source: FCNews 76)
Tren urbano de Arica
The Regional Council for Arica and Parinacota authorized CLP 417 million. (approx. € 413,000.00) with which a detailed project for a suburban railway in Arica is being developed. The railway may be installed on the existing Ferrocarril Arica – La Paz route in meter gauge. On the lowest section over 6.8 km with stations at Arica Estación (Km 0.0); Diego Portales (km 1.4); Los Artesanos (km 3.9); Yerbas Buenas (km 4.94); Capitán Ávalos (km 6.8) in the urban area. The city of Arica wants to take advantage of the country's central government's favorable policies for the establishment of suburban railways. The detailed project should be available at the end of 2024 and operations should begin at the end of 2028. According to calculations by the state railway EFE, at least 2 million. Passengers may travel in 2030. The name of the train will be Tren Centro-Norte de Arica.
(Source: FCNews 76)
Trenes urbanos Puerto Varas
On January 16, 2024, the Puerto Varas train station was reopened with a great participation from the population. The next day, trips between Puerto Varas and Llanquihue were offered with a diesel railcar type TRD ex-Renfe/Spain. To prepare the line for this event, EFE had already replaced over 2,500 sleepers and removed 5,000 cubic meters of vegetation on this approximately 30 km long stretch. Further work will take place over the coming months in order to resume regular local transport this year.
(Source: FCNews 76 / Guido Klamt (AIFFLA))
Tourist Trains
On January 14, 2024, the first tourist train ran between Concepción and Colcura near Lota. Diesel vehicles were used. 2 weeks later it was operating again. This is now the fifth destination, alongside Penco, Laraquete, Playa Blanca and Laja, which is served by tourist trains from Concepción.
(Source: FCNews 76)
Tacna - Arica
The province of Tacna has made 1.8 million Soles (approx. € 440,000) available at the end of 2023 to put the 60 km long railway to Arica back into operation. Flooding near Tacna had damaged the track in places. The work was completed in December, but some damage was found on the railcar, which is why it is now being repaired. Work is underway on this, but the railway cannot yet set a new date for the start of operations.
(Source: FCNews 76 / Guido Klamt (AIFFLA))
17.12.2023
Talca - Constitución
After just 55 days, rail traffic on the Talca – Constitución meter gauge railway resumed on November 7th, 2023. The devastating rains caused damage to a total of 40 km of the route, which meant complete destruction of the railway over a total of 8 km. In total, around 100 points on the route were damaged to varying degrees. 15,632 new sleepers had to be installed and around 25,000 cubic meters of filling material were necessary in order to be able to use the line again. An abutment of the bridge near Colín (10 km from Talca) also had to be renovated.
The rail buses are now running again at their usual times. However, as some minor repairs still need to be carried out, this has been taken into account and travel times have been extended by around 15 minutes.
During the route closure, a replacement service with minibuses could only be run on four sections on a few days a week, which shows that only the railway can offer satisfactory service here.
(Source: FCNews 75)
Temuco
On November 20, 2023, the city of Temuco got a second suburban line. This time to the Padre las Casas station, a distance of about 2.5 km. From Monday to Friday, 7 pairs of trains travel the route in 6 minutes per direction. Since buses are regularly stuck in traffic during the rush hours, this service is a relief for the residents of Padre las Casas. The electric multiple units delivered from China in 2021 are used between their journeys on the Temuco – Victoria line. EFE announced, that the refurbishment of the Cajón station, about 9.3 km north of Temuco, is well advanced and the start of a similar local transport service there is planned for 2024.
(Source: FCNews 75)
07.11.2023
Los Lagos
Directors of state railway EFE met the mayors of the municipalities of Pueto Montt, Puerto Varas and Llanquihue in the Los Lagos region on October 26, 2023. It was about the detailed planning of local rail services at the southern end of the EFE network as part of the state program “Trenes de Cercanía 30/30”, which provides for the development of local trains in all regions where railway lines still exist to make better use of these infrastructures and reduce road traffic. After Santiago, Chillán and Temuco, this will be the 4th route on the Santiago – Puerto Montt axis. Further regional services are planned around Curicó and Talca.
(Source: FCNews 74)
08.10.2023
Ramal Talca - Constitución
The heavy rains several weeks ago also damaged the metergauge route in various places. Operations had to be stopped. The state railway EFE therefore started rebuilding longer sections and they are now working at full speed. Traffic is expected to resume around the end of November. Until then, replacement traffic was partly set up with minibuses. This shows the urgency of the railway, because the replacement service can only be offered on 4 independent sections. The journey times are also significantly longer and the buses only run three days a week, the train usually runs twice a day.
(Source: FCNews 73)
Santiago – Chillán
The closures of long sections of the Santiago – Chillán route are still ongoing, as several bridges in particular need to be completely refurbished.
(Source: FCNews 73)
Chillán – San Carlos
On September 5th, EFE extended the Chillán – San Carlos local service a further 34 km north to Parral. Four pairs of trains run Monday to Friday.
(Source: FCNews 73)
28.08.2023
Heavy Floods
After August 20, 2023, heavy rains caused severe floodings south of Santiago de Chile. For this reason, state railways EFE had to stop all rail traffic between Nós and Chillán. Immediate investigations revealed that traffic between Santiago and San Fernando and between Chillán and San Carlos could resume very soon. Repair works on the San Fernando - Talca - San Carlos, Talca - Constitución and Concepción - Juan Pablo II lines, which are still closed, are ongoing and may take some weeks.
(Source: FCNews 72)
New Trains
EFE has ordered 32 new three-car electric multiple units from CRRC in China. They will be very similar to the trains that already run to Rancagua. 22 trains are intended for the Santiago – Melipilla (61 km) suburban railway which is currently under construction. The remaining 10 trains will be used on the soon to be built S-Bahn Santiago – Batuco. Each of these trains can carry 800 passengers (including standing passengers) and run at a maximum speed of 140 km/h.
(Source: FCNews 72)
12.07.2023
New Services
The suburban trains around Temuco are now operated as Metro de la Araucania, as a subsidiary of state railways EFE. This includes the 65 km Temco – Victoria regional line, which has been in operation for some time. On June 16, 2023, a 30 km long route was added. It is the Temuco – Freire –Pitrufquén local transport and it is an extension to the south. For this purpose, the standstill times of the railcars used to Victoria are operating this new service, which runs three pairs of weekday trains.
This corresponds to the long-term policy of the Chilean government, which has even survived various changes of government. At the inauguration, President Boric was present along with many invited guests from the communities along the line and the state railway. It was emphasized that this was just the beginning of putting more local trains into operation. After appropriate renovations, the extension from Pitrufquén to Gorbea, a further 13 km, is to be put into operation in 2027. The government is provinding US$134 million for this, including the acquisition of three more diesel railcars and route and station rehabilitation.
During the festivities in Pitrufquén, it was also announced that two more regional lines were in the line.
This concerns the 67 km between Talca and Curicó, a section of the main axis Santiago - Chillán.
Furthermore, local transport from Puerto Montt to Llanquihue is to be set up over 28 km under the name Metro Los Lagos.
Nothing has yet been announced about the investment costs for these two short-distance routes.
(Source: FCNews 71)
Bridges
Heavy rains and the recurring light (or sometimes strong) earthquakes have led to stability problems at 4 bridges between Santiago and Chillán. EFE immediately took action and carefully checked all the bridges of the route. The one over the Rio Maipo was put back into operation after a few days. On the other hand, on the Lircay, Archibueno and Longaví bridges, major works have to be carried out, which are interrupting traffic for some time. However, traffic has resumed between Curicó and Santiago after a few days.
(Source: FCNews 71)
09.03.2023
Extensions
The local traffic between Chillán and San Carlos, which started a few months ago, was well received by the population, although in the beginning only 4 pairs of trains ran from Tues-day to Thursday. With the timetable change on March 1st, 2023, the offer was expanded to 8 pairs of trains Monday to Friday.
The stations at Molina and San Javier on the Santiago – Chillán route got again train stops since March 1st, 2023. In San Javier all long-distance trains stop daily, in Molina trains only stop on Fridays and Sundays until the platforms are completely renewed.
The renovation of the stations on the Talca – Constitución route has begun. The buildings will be renovated and given various facilities to make them more attractive to use, such as toilets, new lighting and waiting areas.
(Source: FCNews 68)
Tacna - Arica
March 9th, 2023, the traffic of the railcar between Tacna and Arica may be resumed. According to press reports from Chile, the outward journey from Tacna should take place at 06:00 and the return trip at 18.00, but the exact times were not communicated.
(Source: FCNews 68)
27.12.2022
Talca - Constitución
After the journey time with the old rail buses from Ferrostaal was reduced by 30 minutes as a result of the route rehabilitation, President Gabriel Boric also announced the purchase of the new railcars. Once again the state digs deep into its pockets. For US$15M three diesel railcars of 2 coaches each were ordered from Marcopolo, Brazil. These were presented in Fahrplancenter News 64. The decision was made in favor of the Brazilian producer because this way spare parts or any help can be obtained "nearby". The new railcars, which will be put into operation in stages from 2024, of each will have 80 seats, unisex toilets and air conditioning. With a driver's cab on each side, turning on the turntables is no longer necessary. However, the turntables will be preserved, because at least one of the old railbuses will be preserved as a historic vehicle and used for special trips. In the coming weeks, construction will begin on a modern maintenance facility for the new vehicles in Talca, south of the train station. This construction will cost another US21Mio.
(Source: FCNews 67)
New meter gauge Train
The municipality of La Calera, in cooperation with the railway company Ferronor, started a new connection in passenger transport on December 6th, 2022. For this purpose an old Billard railcar (number t-309 originally from a series of 16 units delivered in 1961/62) was reactivated. Until further notice, it runs back and forth several times Monday-Friday 07.30-09.30 and 17.30-19.30. Rides are free on this 1.4 km route between La Calera and J.J. Godoy Street in the El Artificio district. 10 seats can be offered per trip, but Ferronor plans to put a trailer with an additional 10 seats in operation. The route starts in the center of La Calera and leads to El Artificio on a bridge over the Rio Aconcagua. However, there are plans to set up stops in Villa Las Américas and El Litre, and a later extension of the route to El Melón is not ruled out. Ferronor ensures that the infrastructure remains in relatively good condition, while La Calera pays for operations. Since there is only one road bridge over the river mentioned between La Calera and El Artificio and traffic is therefore often congested, the train connection is seen as a cheaper and faster solution.
(Source: FCNews 67)
New Trains
The first tests with the new train-compositions built in China for the Santiago and Chillán long-distance traffic have begun there. The new trains can operate with a maximum speed of 160 km/h, previously only 140 km/h was possible. It will therefore be the fastest, but also the most modern long-distance trains in all of Latin America. They are primarily built for electrical operation (3Kv) DC but can switch immediately to diesel operation in the event of a power supply problem. Each four-car train accommodates 236 passengers, offers wheelchair space, standard toilets, air conditioning, WiFi, space for catering and luggage storage. The first two trains will bedelivered in the first half of 2023, with the remaining four to follow. It is planned to operate these trains according for the first time during the 2023/24 summer season. Until then, the stations will receive some improvements. In regular service with all stops, the journey will take 4 hours, with the accelerated trains, with stops at Rancagua and Talca only, 3 hours and 40 minutes are foreseen.
(Source: FCNews 67)
Tacna-Arica
On December 22, 2022, traffic resumed on the 62 km long international railway Tacna – Arica FCTA. This occasion was celebrated with a big ceremony at Tacna train station, of course with the presence of the press, television, ministers and diplomats. The railcar then drove to Arica with the first passengers and various official guests. The province has only approved one pair of trains for the time being, Tacna dep. 06.00 and Arica dep. 08.00 (both Peruvian time). The fare in each direction is still 15 nuevos soles.
(Source: FCNews 67)
30.11.2022
Santiago – Chillán – Concepción
The night train Santiago – Chillán – Concepción will run again from December 7th, 2022 to March 2023.
(Source: FCNews 66)
Tacna-Arica
Both the Peruvian and the Chilean side report that the Ferrocarril Tacna-Arica FCTA can resume traffic between the two cities around the turn of the year 2022/2023. The approximately 40 km of track in Peru have been repaired and the 20 km in Chile are also being checked with selective repairs. Within Peru, 50 members of the army participated in the work. There is a push to reopen for the busy summer season.
(Source: FCNews 66)
Talca - Constitución
Mid-November 2022, the journey time of the rail buses (buscarriles) was reduced from around 3 hours 15 min. to 2 hours 45 min. after a complete refurbishment of the infrastructure. All train crossings continue to take place in González Bastías.
(Source: FCNews 66)
20.10.2022
Tacna – Arica
The regional government of Tacna, together with 50 members of the army, has started to rehabilitate the railway line Tacna - Arica. The work should take about 3 months. During a test drive with the only railcar on the railway, a car driver rammed the rail vehicle due to carelessness in Tacna. The property damage can be repaired by the railway itself.
(Source: Volta o Trem 26-3)
23.07.2022
Merval
The government of Valparaíso region and state railway EFE are working on the project to reactivate passenger traffic from La Calera via Llay Llay and San Felipe to Los Andes. After the reopening of the Limache – La Calera section (approx. 2026), it is intended to resume passenger traffic up to Los Andes.
(Source: Volta o Trem 26-2)
26.04.2022
Victoria – Temuco
With the beginning of the new school year after Easter, regional train-traffic was significantly strengthened with the new diesel railcars from China. There are now 4 pairs of trains running Monday-Friday and 2 pairs on Saturday and Sunday. For some time, there was no service at all on weekends.
(Source: Volta o Trem 26-1)
20.02.2022
Santiago – Concepción
EFE has put the night train Santiago – Concepción back into operation for the summer season until March. It leaves San-tiago every Friday night and Concepción every Sunday night.
(Source: Volta o Trem 26-0)
Tacna-Arica
An initiative by the Tacna Free Trade Zone and the Chilean Chamber of Commerce sees great potential for freight and passenger traffic in the reactivation of this international railway. Up to 7 million annually passengers were calculated for 2059 and several million tons of goods, which would make the railway very profitable.
(Source: Volta o Trem 26-0)
28.12.2021
San Fernando - Santiago
Oct. 12, 2021 EFE reintroduced local trains between San Fernando and Santiago after several years. In a first time there are 2 train pairs Monday to Friday only. Dec. 12, 2021 the first 2 of 6 Chinese-built new trains for the Santiago – Rancagua local traffic have been presented to the public.
(Source: Volta o Trem 25-3)
16.08.2021
Talca – Constitución
Due to infrastructure works railcar services run mostly once a day in each direction only.
(Source: Volta o Trem 25-2)
11.05.2021
Limache – La Calera
The planning work for the extension of the Merval Suburban line from Limache over 25 km to La Calera has been completed. The tender for the reconstruction of the line will be issued at the end of 2021. The line is to be set up to one track for freight traffic and 2 tracks for passenger traffic and reelectrified.
(Source: Volta o Trem 25-1)
Arica - Visviri - Viacha - Oruro
For the first time after 16 years, May 07, 2021, a loaded freight train arrived from Arica at the border station Visviri after a journey of 2 days. At Visviri a Bolivian Locomotive was waiting to forward the train, charged with 466 tonnes of steel-coils on 8 wagons, to Oruro. The initiative for reopening of the line came from a Bolivian soya exporter, which want to convey soy-beans for export to Peru and Ecuador by train. May 08 saw truck drivers dumping tonnes of earth on the rails at the entry of Viacha to avoid the train to pass. They fear to loose tonnage to the railway.
(Source: Volta o Trem 25-1)
Tacna - Arica
Tacna province called the national transport ministry to examine the situation of the railway to Arica and re-nationalize it. The results of this study are not yet known.
(Source: Volta o Trem 25-1)
28.12.2020
New Trains ordered
State Railways EFE ordered now the 6 new trainsets for US$70mio. for the long-distance Santiago – Chillán service. The broad-gauge trains, built by CRRC-Sifang (China) have a maximum speed of 160 km/h and may be capable to run elec-trically under catenary, but also with diesel on non-electrified sections. With these trains fast services between Santiago and Chillán (398 km) may take no longer than 3 hours 40 including some intermediate stops from 2023 on. Next orders may include new trains for the Santiago – Rancagua suburban services and for the Talca – Constitución metre-gauge line.
(Source: Volta o Trem 24-9)
28.11.2020
Tacna – Arica
After 7 months closure of the Tacna – Arica line due to the covid pandemy the line suffered so many damages, that services can’t restart again. There was some vandalism and the only railcar (nr. 261) suffered also from many damages. Unfortunately neither local or nationale authorities show any interrest to sepnd a cent for rehabilitation to repair all and reopen the line. Furthermore some illegal settlements have been errected extremly close to the track and electric poles have been put between the rails.
(Source: Volta o Trem 24-8)
18.10.2020
Corona Update
Under strict hygienical measures train services are increasing also out-side the regional services : Santiago – Chillán operates now with 2 train pairs daily (1 on weekends).
(Source: Volta o Trem 24-7)
Delivery of Trains
End 2020 starts the delivery of the China-Built new electric and diesel trains fpr the Bio-Bio Suburban service (Concepción), Corto de Laja Regional-service and Victoria-Temuco line.
(Source: Volta o Trem 24-7)
14.09.2020
Corona Update
Under strict hygienical measures train services are back out-side the regional services : Santiago – Chillán 1 pair/daily ; Talca – Constitución again normal with 2 trains daily ; Temuco – Victoria 1 daily; Talcahuano – Laja daily reduced offer.
(Source: Volta o Trem 24-6)
12.07.2020
Passenger traffic
Under strict hygienic measures, train services beyond the suburban operations are back: Santiago – Chillán 2 daily round-trips; Talca – Constitución with the habitual 2 daily trains; Temuco – Victoria 2 daily round-trips; Talcahuano – Laja daily, but with a reduced timetable.
(Source: Volta o Trem 24-5)
28.03.2020
Corona Update
Suburban railways (Nós, Rancagua, Valparaíso, Concepción) are operating but with reduced frequencies. The Talca – Constitución railbus operates normally for being an essential service, thus tourists are currently not allowed to use it. Temuco – Victoria is cancelled as all tourist trains.
(Source: Volta o Trem 24-2)
04.01.2020
Metro Santiago
Santiago Metro suffered of damages on rolling-stock and installations of about US$ 300million during the recent unrest in the country. No other railway was touched so hardly.
(Source: Volta o Trem 24-1)
Constitución - Talca
For the first time after many years the timings of one buscarril (Railbus) service between Constitución and Talca changed. The evening departure from Constitución was postponed by 90 min to 17.15. This eliminates the traditional crossing with the evening service from Talca at Gonázlez Bastías, the two railbusses are now crossing at Forel station, 62 km from Talca. The morning services continue to cross at González Bastías.
(Source: Volta o Trem 24-1)
31.12.2019
Metro Santiago
The Metro Santiago system suffered heavily during the riots in late 2019. Damage to vehicles and infrastructure is estimated at US$ 300m; no other railway line/system in the country was hit that hard.
(Source: Fahrplancenter/Volta o Trem)
Limache on the Santiago – Valparaiso route
The Tren del Recuerdo has a new destination: Limache on the Santiago – Valparaiso route. After two successful test runs in December 2019, the first public train operated on 11 January 2020 to Limache. Regular passenger service on this line ceased back in 1986; and only the Limache – Valparaiso Puerto section sees frequent movements by the Metro Valparaiso suburban system. During the summer (holiday) months January and February the Tren del Recuerdo runs every Saturday, now alternating between San Antonio and Limache.
(Source: EFE/Tren Chile/MetrotrenHD)
Constitución - Talca
For the first time in many years, the timing of a Buscarril from Constitución to Talca has been substantially changed. The evening run from Constitución was retimed by 90 minutes, departing now at 17:15. This means that the crossing of the two afternoon trains was moved from its traditional spot at González Bastías to Forel, 62 km west of Talca. The morning trains keep crossing each other at González Bastías.
(Source: Fahrplancenter/Volta o Trem)
Overnight Train Santiago - Concepción
EFE has expanded their range of tourist trains by adding an overnight train Santiago to Concepción. During the summer months there is a train every fortnight, departing from Santiago on Friday evening and returning from Concepción on Sunday evening. In recent years those trains operated to Temuco and featured car conveying wagons, but this is not now offered. Coaching stock is formed by ex-spanish carriages, purchased from Renfe in 2003, while traction is provided by two veterans. On the electrified section from Santiago to Chillán the italian-built E-3020 from 1961 is at the helm of the train. At Chillán, the GE D-16005, built in 1954, takes over to bring the train to its final destination.
(Source: EFE/Tren Chile)
16.10.2019
Copiapó – Paipote
In September 2019 Ferronor started a new tourist train over a distance of 12 km between Copiapó and Paipote, using refurbished rolling-stock. The train will run once a month on a Saturday. For this purpose the line has been rebuilt, because it was completely destroyed by floods in 2015.
(Source: Volta o Trem 23-6)
23.06.2019
Limache - Quillota - La Calera
Now it is for sure that the MERVAL Regional Railway will be extended from Limache to Quillota and La Calera. The project includes reconstruction of the two existing tracks for passenger transport and laying of a third track for freight traffic. Construction may start in 2021 and opening to service is planned for 2024 or 2025.
(Source: Volta o Trem 23-3)
02.04.2019
New Bridge over Rio Bio Bio
The state railway company EFE is currently revising the project to build a new, efficient railway bridge across the Bio Bio river near Concepción. This bridge will carry an electrified double-track line across the river so that suburban railway traffic on the Concepción to Coronel (to Lota in the future) can be increased. A substantial increase of freight traffic is also expected as industrial estates south of the Bio Bio river are expanding. The revised project will then be submitted to the environmental authorities for approval.
(Source: Mundomaritimo)
Santiago – Rancagua – Chillán
After completion of engineering work at Paine, travel times of all trains on the Santiago – Rancagua – Chillán route could be reduced by around 10 minutes.
(Source: EFE/Tren Central)
Limache – La Calera
The project to extend the Merval suburban railway (Valparaiso to Limache) from Limache to La Calera has been restarted. Studies are being conducted to ascertain the financial requirements.
(Source: El Mercurio)
Suburban railway Conceptión
Planning work is currently ongoing for the reopening of the Concepción to Lirquén line for suburban passenger traffic. This section, which sees freight trains running to Lirquén port, crosses sufficiently populated areas and justifies reactivation for passenger traffic. Construction work is envisaged to start only after 2020. A rebuild of the line further north to Tomé is not possible anymore, because the properties along the coast were sold some years ago and are now built over.
(Source: El Mercurio, Fesur)
31.03.2019
Santiago – Rancagua / Santiago – Chillán
Trains from Santiago to Rancagua and Chillán have now shorter journey times by 10 min. because a level-crossing at Paine was replaced by a road tunnel and other infrastructure repairs have been carried out.
(Source: Volta o Trem 23-2)
16.02.2019
Train to the Stars
The „Train to the Stars“ (Tren de las Estrellas) Arica – Central will run on 22 February 2019, leaving from Arica at 20.00 and returning after midnight. At Central it will be possible to observe the stars on the night sky.
(Source: Volta o Trem 23-1)
Santiago - Casablanca - Valparaíso
It is very probable that the government will announce construction of the new railway for goods and passengers from Santiago to Val-paraíso in 2019. The new line will be built for 200 km/h for passenger trains and 85 km/h for freight trains.
(Source: Volta o Trem 23-1)
21.01.2019
Santiago Alameda – Rancagua
Regional traffic between Santiago Alameda and Rancagua has resumed with an all-day timetable under the „Metrotren Rancagua“ brand. Trains run about every two hours per direction. For quite some time and due to construction works, services were limited and ran all day on weekends only.
(Source: EFE/Tren Central)
Valparaíso – Limache
Much to the annoyance of the communities along the route, the project to extend the „Metro Valparaiso“ suburban railway (Valparaiso – Limache) to La Calera has been postponed again.
(Source: El Mercurio)
Santiago – Chillán
The state railway EFE is currently preparing the tender documents for the purchase of six or seven trains for the long-distance route Santiago – Chillán.
(Source: EFE, El Mercurio)
Santiago – Melipilla
A flurry of appeals and a second environmental impact study are again delaying the refurbishment and upgrade to a proper suburban railway of the Santiago to Melipilla line. EFE presses to speed up this process as they wish to commence work no later than 2020 in order to open the route around 2023/2024, some 10 years later than originally planned.
It is currently under evaluation whether the upgrade of the northbound railway line from Santiago to Batuco should be extended to Til Til, as a strong popluation growth is expected for this region north of the capital.
(Source: El Mercurio)
05.10.2018
Santiago Alameda – Rancagua
Regional traffic between Santiago Alameda and Rancagua is now running again to its full weekday timetable with a train about every two hours per direction. For quite some time, all-day traffic was limited to weekends due to major trackworks.
(Source: EFE/Tren Central)
Extension Valparaíso – Limache
The project to extend the Metro Valparaiso suburban railway (Valparaiso – San Francisco de Limache) to La Calera has been postponed, much to the annoyance of the affected municipalities. The tendering process has been declared void as no offers were received, but it has been announced that another tender will be out in the near future.
(Source: El Mercurio)
Santiago – Chillán
State Railways EFE and the Chiloean Government decided to study to improve train services between Santiago and Chillán (406 km), reduce journey times from 4h45 to 4 hours for slow services and 3h40 for fast services and more daily services at all. Most improvements will be reached with the installation of automatic level-crossing devices, reducing the number of crossings and fencing the line. New trains will also help to reach this goal, which has a deadline in 2023.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-9)
10.09.2018
Coronel - Lota
Extending the Bio-Tren southern line from Coronel to Lota and construction of a new bridge over Bio Bio river to replace the current 2157 metres long has been decided.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-8)
Tourist Trains
Ferronor refurbished Copiapó station and is repairing tracks to Paipote (ca. 9 km) to run later a tourist train. A long time pro-ject to reopen the 80 km long line to Caldera, the first railway of Chile, for tourist operation is under preparation.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-8)
07.08.2018
Santiago - Rancagua
Tren Central increased the number of local trains between Santiago and Rancagua. There are again daily services during the whole day.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-7)
Santiago - Chillán
According to state railways EFE long-term planning sees long-distance services between Santiago and Chillán increased with additional services.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-7)
05.06.2018
Santiago – Chillán
Due to increasing demand Tren Central reintroduced additonal trains on weekends between Santiago and Chillán, one on Fridays from Santiago and one on Sundays from Chillán.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-6)
04.03.2018
Tacna - Arica
The Tacna-Arica Railway completed repairs on the line which led to a reduction of the journey time by about 15 min. Furthermore the depart-ure of the evening train from Arica was advanced by about 15 min. and for the first time since reopening of the line fares increased by about 20%.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-3)
06.01.2018
Normal Operation
A strike of the main parts of the staff brought all trains of the Santiago suburban lines, the Santiago – Chillán long-distance trains and the Talca – Constitución railbus to a complete halt from 1 to 22 December 2017. In the meantime services went back to normal.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-1)
08.12.2017
Ferrocarril Arica – La Paz
The Arica – La Paz Railway operates 2018 the Arica-Poconchile Tourist Train 4 times in January, 3 times each in February and March, 2 times each in April and May and once in June 2018. New are now also trips from Arica to Central. Central at Km 69,8 is at the foot of the former rack section of this railway and the tourist train will reach this destination 16 Dec. 2017; 27 Jan., 24 Feb.; 24 March and 23 June 2018. Further informations
(Source: Volta o Trem 21-9)
10.10.2017
Ferrocarril Tacna – Arica
The Tacna-Arica Railway started to rehabilitate railcar nr. 0257 to become a second operational railcar apart of nr. 0261. Additionally some sections of the line are currently rehabilitated and some improvements at Tacna station are carried out. The railway made 300'000 Soles available for these investments for the year 2017. The number of passengers over the first 5 months of 2017 doubled nearly to 19'000 against the number carried from June to December 2016.
(Source: Volta o Trem 21-7)
03.10.2017
Tacna – Arica
The southernmost railway of Peru has started repair work on their railbus number 0257 in order to have a second operational railbus as a relief to the normally operating railbus 0261. A funding of 300'000 Soles is available for this, but part of the money will also be used to repair some weak spots on the track, and there will be some improvements made to the Tacna railway station.
During the period from June to December 2016, 10'703 passengers were carried, while between January and May 2017 there were 19'010 passengers using the service. Some 90 per cent of the users came from Chile, while the rest were Peruvians.
(Source: El Comercio)
08.09.2017
New Timetables
Ferrocarril Central changed some schedules in August 2017. Journey times of the Santiago – Chillán long-distance trains have been cut by about 15 min. The railbus Talca-Constitución got a slight reduction from 14 to 13 pairs per week and the Tourist-Buscarril Talca – Corinto runs now mostly twice per month.
(Source: Volta o Trem 21-6)
28.07.2017
Arica - Poconchile - Bolivia
he directorate of Chilean state railways EFE is planning to reinstate first freight services from Arica to Bolivia and at a later date, if possibly no later than 2019 also a tourist oriented passenger service over the entire line from Arica to Bolivia is planned. During the July holidays tourist trains between Arica and Poconchile (34 km) operated again successfully, bookings exceeded 90%.
(Source: Volta o Trem 21-5)
06.06.2017
Heritage day
On Heritage day, May 28, 2017 the population of Arica could visit the railway workshops at Chinchorro and three pairs of trains operated between Arica and Poconchile. The event was well received by a lot of people.
(Source: Volta o Trem 21-3)
Santiago – San Bernardo – Nós
The new suburban service between Santiago – San Bernardo and Nós is heavily used by the local people. Over 30‘000 people are travelling daily on the trains which now operate every 20 minutes between 06.00 and 23.00 hours (Saturdays 07.00-23.00 and Sundays 08.00-23.00).
(Source: Volta o Trem 21-3)
14.04.2017
Santiago Alameda - Nós
After 4 weeks of limited operation the new suburban service between Santiago Alameda and Nós started all days operation April 12,2017.
(Source: Volta o Trem 21-2)
22.02.2017
Arica - Poconchile
Operation of a new tourist train on a lower part of the Ferrocarril Arica-La Paz will start February 25. For the time being it will run every Saturday until March 25, 2017. The trains are made of a diesel locomotive and two refurbished Schindler wagons. They run at 10.30 from Chinchorro (workshops of the railway at Arica) to Poconchile a distance of 34 km and return at 14.00, journey 90 min. in each direction.
(Source: Volta o Trem 21-1)
31.12.2016
Rancagua Express
Test runs with the new Alstom EMU trains of the „Rancagua Express“ are due to start in February. Refurbishment and rehabilitation work on the line are nearly complete. In the town of Graneros, eight level crossings will not be replaced by overbridges due to lack of funding, but will be protected by locally operated mechanical barriers.
(Source: EFE)
20.12.2016
Historic train to Laraquete
November 26, 2016 the Historic train to Laraquete was running for the first time from Concepción to Laraquete near Lota on the line South of Coronel, todays terminal of the southern line of Biotren suburban services. It was the first passenger train since 1977 running South of Coronel. The train was very exciting and within 24 hours only all 350 seats have been sold. This steam train may run again for special dates during 2017, again with steam locomotive 820 (built in the USA in 1940 and normally stored at Temuco).
(Source: Volta o Trem 20-7)
30.09.2016
News Railway to Batuco
The state railway EFE has started proceedings to obtain a concession for building and operating a suburban railway line to Batuco, north of Santiago. The 27,1 km long line will have 6 stations and use the alignment of the existing railway. This would limit construction costs to about US $ 560 mio. It is, however, still not clear whether the line will start at the current terminus Alameda and use the tunnel towards the north or whether a new terminus will be built next to the old (northern) terminus Mapocho. Both options are reported in the Chilean media.
(Source: La Tercera)
21.08.2016
Railway bridge over Toltén River
The great railway bridge over Toltén River near Pitrufquén (South of Temuco) collapsed August 18 2016 when a 50 wagon long freight train crossed it. Some wagons fell into the river, but no one was hurt. It is believed that the bridge suffered some light cracks after the earth-quake of 2010, investigations started immediately after the accident.
(Source: Volta o Trem 20-5)
Test runs
Test runs of the new Xtrapolis electric trains will start in December 2016 between Santiago, Nós and Rancagua and regular passenger services will start about in March 2017.
(Source: Volta o Trem 20-5)
15.06.2016
Tacna - Arica
May 27 the railway from Tacna (Peru) to Arica (Chile) was officially reinaugurated and three days later scheduled services started to run, again with a round-trip early morning and another one in the evening. Fares have been set at 18 New Soles, slightly over the fares for bus journeys. June 7 a technical failure on the railcar halted traffic for at least one day.
(Source: Volta o Trem 20-4)
Augusta Victoria - Socompa - Salta
Ferronor of Chile reopened the line from Augusta Victoria (Chile) via Socompa to Salta (Argentina) in April 2016 for freight traffic. Though trains are only running irregularly and not very often.
(Source: Volta o Trem 20-4)
01.04.2016
Talca-Constitución
In time for the 100 year jubilee December 31, 2015 Chilean state president Michelle Bachelet visited the narrow gauge railway Talca-Constitución. She underlined the importance of this railway for the region and the nation and she promised to undertake every effort to which helps to maintain this line, which includes the acquisition of 2 or 3 new railbuses. Further-more she visited the reconstruction site at Talca station. Talca station was heavily damaged during the earthquake of 2010. Closure of this line could be prevented by protests from FLB/AIFFLA in 2001.
(Source: Volta o Trem 20-3)
31.03.2016
Concepción
On 29 February 2016, Ferrocarriles del Sur openend an extension of 17 km of its southern suburban line in the Concepción metropolitan area, linking Lomas Coloradas with Coronel. The line has been entirely renewed, upgraded to double track and electrified. Under the brand name „Biotren“ the line was opened in 2005 as far as Lomas Coloradas; it is now classed as Biotren Line 2, in difference to the Talcahuano – Concepción – Hualquí route which is now Biotren Line 1. Freight trains have always used this line, leading from Concepción to the port of Coronel and thereby crossing the Bio Bio river on a 2 km-long bridge. Later, the line skirts the Pacific Ocean coast for extended stretches. Planning and design work for a further extension of 10 km to Lota started the day after inauguration.
(Source: Fahrplancenter News; EFE/Ferrocarriles del Sur)
Talca – Constitución
On 31st December 2015, the Ramal (metre gauge line) Talca – Constitución celebrated its hundreth anniversary. To mark this event, state president Michelle Bachelet visited the railway in company of some ministers and other state representatives. She highlighted the importance of the 88 km long route for the local population, the Maule region and entire Chile. The visit of the state president started at the Talca railway station where she was shown the renovation and reconstruction work of the station building. That work commenced on 07 December 2015, after the building had suffered severe damage during the earthquake in February 2010. The president then travelled on board of a Buscarril (Ferrostaal railcar) to Curtiduria where she unveiled a commemorative plaque. During the course of the visit, persons from railway operations were introduced to her, among others the long-standing vendor of drinks and snacks, Mr. Guillermo Celedón.
The state president promised that she would keep working to maintain this branch line, and the general manager of the state railway EFE, Mr Jorge Inostroza, announced that still in 2016 renovation of Colín, Corinto and González Bastías stations would commence, as soon as financial support from the Maule region is granted. Also, EFE is currently preparing the tendering documents for the purchase of 2 or 3 new railcars for the line. A point was made that the old buscarriles will then be overhauled and refurbished in order to cater for the ever increasing tourist traffic.
(Source: Fahrplancenter News, EFE)
20.02.2016
Tacna - Arica
Recent news indicate that the railcar between Tacna and Arica may start in April 2016 after the end of the rain season. The insurance fee could be lowered to US$ 50‘000 and the province was finally able to pay it.
(Source: Volta o Trem 20-2)
10.01.2016
Lomas Coloradas - Coronel
The Biotren South line from Lomas Coloradas to Coronel over a distance of 17 km will be opened for regular traffic during the second half of February 2016. Since end December 2015 public test runs are operating.
(Source: Volta o Trem 20-1)
Coronel - Lota
Until end of January 2016 planning for a further extension over 9 km from Coronel to Lota will be completed and there is a project to build a 5 km branch from Concepción station tom the city center.
(Source: Volta o Trem 20-1)
Tacna - Arica
Chilean customs administration dismantled its installations at Arica station because the reintrodution of trains between Tacna and Arica never took place, despite many announce-ments by the Peruvian government.
(Source: Volta o Trem 20-1)
31.12.2015
Coloradas - Coronel - Lota
In the second half of February 2016, the southern extension of the suburban line from Lomas Coloradas to Coronel, operated by Biotren, will become operational. Public test runs have started towards the end of December 2015 and prove to be hugely popular. Design work on a further extension from Coronel to Lota is expected to start in January 2016. The alignment of the now closed original line will be used, too. Meanwhile, an 8-year-old project to build a 5 km-long extension from Concepción station to the city centre has been taken up again. The original plan included some underground sections, but after the strong earthquake in 2010 this was abandoned in favour of an alignment at level.
(Source: Ferrosur/Biotren)
25.11.2015
Valdivia – Antilhue
State president M. Bachelet travelled 8 November 2015 in a special train from Valdivia to Antilhue to inspect the progress of rebuilding the line. The steam train « El Valdiviano » will again run from January 2016 on.
(Source: Volta o Trem 19-9)
Lomas Coloradas - Coronel
13 November 2015 the first electric passenger train operated between Lomas Coloradas and Coronel with railway techni-cians onboard. From January 2016 on public test journeys will operate on this line.
(Source: Volta o Trem 19-9)
Toco – Tocopilla
November 11, 2015 saw the definitive closure of the electrified Toco – Tocopilla Railway in Northern Chile. The line was hea-vily damaged by floods in August 2015, making the Reverso - Tocopilla section unuseable. The operator SQM closed also the mines at Pedro de Valdivia after 85 years of uninterrupted mining. All rolling-stock was brought to Maria Elena station for sale. With this step SQM terminated all railway activities.
(Source: Volta o Trem 19-9)
12.07.2015
Tacna - Arica
Reopening of the Tacna-Arica Railway will be delayed by about one month until August 2015 because the rehabilitation work on the railcar could not be completed in time. The railway line is repaired and there have already been some test runs over the entire 62 km long line.
(Source: Volta o Trem 19-6)
Curicó, Talca, Linares and Parral
Politicians of the Maule Region want the creation of Regional trains between Curicó, Talca, Linares and Parral and they have put their request at the Transportministry.
(Source: Volta o Trem 19-6)
Talca – Constitución
State railways EFE and Maule Region agreed on June 19 the reconstruction of Talca station. This station was destroyed in the 2010 earthquake. Furthermore 10 stations on the Talca – Constitución narrow gauge line will also be refurbished.
(Source: Volta o Trem 19-6)
Lomas Coloradas - Coronel
Works on the Southern extension of the Biotren line from Lomas Coloradas to Coronel are in their last steps and the opening at the end of 2015 has become realistic.
(Source: Volta o Trem 19-6)
10.04.2015
Floods
Heavy rainfall and floods late March in Northern Chile damaged FCAB’s lines Antofagsta – Mejillones and Antofagasta – Calama, where reconstruction is under way. The 60 km between Chañaral and Potrerillos have been completely destroyed, causing damages of about US$100m and reconstruction is not sure. Chañaral – Diego de Almagro of Ferronor was also destroyed.
(Source: Volta o Trem 19-4)
31.03.2015
Arica - Puquíos - Viacha
Commercial freight traffic will start in mid-April 2015, after a disruption of over 10 years. Initially, trains will run between Arica and Puquíos and some 8 months later, trains are expected to regularly reach Viacha in Bolivia. The railway has sourced 2 new diesel locomotives and 20 multi-use freight cars.
A media statement from management points out that freight traffic has priority, but at a later stage passenger and tourist train operations are not ruled out. The railway now operates under the stewardship of the Chilean state railway EFE.
(Source: Aricaldia)
Tacna – Arica
On 16th February 2015, track repair and refurbishment work on the international railway line Tacna – Arica commenced within the city of Tacna, where the line is running on the streets. Work is carried out on behalf of the Ministry of Transport of Perú and consists mainly of sleeper replacement as well as laying new rails on some 10 km of the line. It is expected to terminate the works until the end of July 2015 and to then resume operations.
Meanwhile, the only railcar (Autovagón) in useable condition is also being refurbished. Apart of technical attention, a toilet will also be fitted.
The government intends to privatise this line in 2016.
(Source: Rieles and La República)
25.03.2015
Santiago – Temuco
Next overnight passenger trains Santiago – Temuco, from Santiago 02 April, from Temuco 05 April.
(Source: Volta o Trem 19-3)
Talca – González Bastías
Buscarril will operate additional trains between Talca and González Bastías on 11 and 25 April.
(Source: Volta o Trem 19-3)
20.01.2015
Santiago – Temuco
During the main season TMSA/TerraSur operates again a night-train between Santiago and Temuco. From Santiago January 16 & 30, February 13 & 27. From Temuco January 19, February 1 & 15, March 1.
(Source: Volta o Trem 19-1)
11.01.2015
Santiago - Temuco
TMSA/Tren Central will resume direct services from Santiago to Temuco and back. The first train will run on Friday 16th January 2015, departing at 2050 hrs. from Santiago, while the return journey starts from Temuco on Sunday 18th January 2015 at 1825 hrs. Departures are scheduled for 4 weekends (16th and 30th January, 13th and 27th February). The train is called “TerraSur Temuco” and features “Salón” and “Preferente” classes; single fares are quoted at CLP 24'000 in “Salón” and CLP 38'000 in “Preferente”. Trains will call at Rancagua, Talca, Chillán, Victoria and Lautaro stations. This train last ran in 2013.
(Source: TMSA)
Santiago - San Fernando / Valle de Colchagua
EFE/TMSA will resume its excursions to the Valle de Colchagua in January 2015. These will, however, only use the train from Santiago to San Fernando, while the continuation to the Colchagua wine-producing area will be by bus. This indicates that the branch line which was heavily damaged during the earthquake in February 2010, has not yet been rebuilt.
(Source: EFE)
Talca - Gonzales Bastías
On 17th January 2015, another one of the popular excursion trains of the “Buscarril” will run from Talca to Gonzales Bastías and back, in addition to the two regular daily round-trips.
(Source: EFE)
Cartago – Basilica
At the end of October, Incofer resumed passenger transport on the 800 m long stretch of line from Cartago station to the Basílica. This is an extension of the existing service San José – Cartago on the Atlántico railway system. Since the introduction of suburban trains to Cartago it has been requested to continue to the Basílica which is centrally located in the town, and the church itself generates quite some traffic as it is an important place of pilgrimage in Costa Rica and the San José region in particular. There are currently 13 trains to and from the Basílica.
(Source: Incofer)
20.12.2014
Arica – La Paz
In November Ferrocarril Arica – La Paz received 2 new diesel-locomotives for an amount of US$3,5mio. The new locos have engines of 1850 hp and new technologies help to reduce fuel consumption.
(Source: Volta o Trem 18-9)
27.09.2014
Santiago - Concepción
State Railways EFE are considering to build a fast passenger train line from Santiago to Concepción using the existing Santiago - Chillán line and by rebuilding the existing Chillán - Tomé - Concepción line including some realignments. The journey for the approximately 500 km long line may be a little over 4 hours, which would be equal to a trip by air.
(Source: Volta o Trem 18-7)
Valparaíso
Valparaíso suburban railway MERVAL examines the possibility to build a branch to the North serving fast growing suburbs.
(Source: Volta o Trem 18-7)
26.06.2014
Santiago - Rancagua
Trenes Metropolitanos will increase the number of train on weekends during the holiday period in July between Santiago and Rancagua to satisfy the heavy demand. Construction of the new suburban railway between the two cities led to a significant service reduction which in its turn caused a severe drop in passenger numbers during the last 12 months. There will also be an additional daily train from Chillán to Santiago and an extra train on Fridays from Santiago to Chillán.
(Source: Fahrplancenter correspondents)
alcahuano – Laja
On 26 June 2014, the Minister for Transport inaugurated the renovated railway station of San Rosendo on the Talcahuano – Laja line. This is the first station to receive a comprehensive upgrade along the so-called “Corto de Laja” line. During July 2014, renovation work on the stations and halts of Gomero, Unihue, Quilacoya, Los Acacios, Valle Chanco, San Miguel, Laja, Buenuraqui andTalcamávida will be completed.
(Source: Fahrplancenter correspondents)
Combined ticket in Conceción and Valparaíso
Within the next two years, integrated tariff systems will be implemented in the metropolitan areas of Concepción and Valparaíso (Biotren and MERVAL). Customers will then be able to use suburban trains and urban buses with one and the same ticket.
(Source: Fahrplancenter correspondents)
Suburban railway Santiago
The new suburban railway Santiago – Nós – Rancagua will only be opened in the second half of 2015, according to the new President of the state railway Grupo EFE. The reason for this delay of about 6 to 8 months is the re-advertisement of construction works as a consequence of detected irregularities in the originally awarded global contract. Construction will now be done in stages, with 70 per cent already completed.
As it has been envisaged, the opening of the suburban railway Santiago – Melipilla will take place in 2016 as the track and station works are running according to plan.
EFE have expressed their discontent with the new Alstom trains for the 2 lines. Allegedly, they were rather built as per the ideas of the manufacturer than in accordance with desires and guidelines of EFE. Therefore, the order for the trains to Melipilla was cancelled and a new procurement process will be advertised.
Grupo EFE has been commissioned by the Ministry for Transport to make proposals about an improvement of the Concepción local traffic. Potential options are express bus lines, tramways or a subway system, all of them connecting to the suburban railway Biotren.
As planned, the extension of the Biotren south line to Coronel will be opened during 2015.
According to EFE, a viability study for local traffic between Osorno and Puerto Montt showed positive results. Some funds are reserved in the 2014 – 2016 three-year plan, and completion appears to be realistic in the 2017 – 2019 plan. It is, however, unclear whether and when a long-distance train Santiago – Puerto Montt could run again. The analysis for this were positive, but everything else is still open.
At the end of the current year, detail planning for a suburban railway from Santiago to Batuco is expected to be complete, with construction work to start in 2015 and a tentative opening date in 2019.
(Source: Grupo EFE, El Mercurio)
Freight Traffic
The traffic volume handled by the freight train operator FEPASA on the broad gauge network of Chile has remained at a stable level of 10,4 Mio tons per year over the last 10 years, but this represents a share of just 4% of the market. Grupo EFE, therefore, intends to strengthen their position in co-operation with its freight subsidiary FEPASA. Track upgrades, though primarily intended for better passenger train service, will be beneficial to freight trains as well as they allow for higher speeds of the latter. It is also urgent to improve connections to commercial ports of the region as this would generate an important volume of freight. Top on the list are the ports of Valparaíso and San Antonio with improvements to the tune of US$ 300 Mio.
(Source: Grupo EFE, El Mercurio)
19.04.2014
Earthquakes
The many earthquackes and the catastrophic fire at Valparaíso have not affected the railways in the South of Chile, the Valparaíso Ascensores escaped too.
Saturday April 19, 2014 the tourist train El Valdiviano will run again. It will be run with steam traction and serve the stations of Valdivia, Pishuinco, Huellelhue and Antilhue. The same day the „Tren del Recuerdo“ tourist train will operate between Santiago, Talagante, Melipilla and San Antonio. This train will run with vintage coaches from the 1920s and a historic diésel locomotive.
(Source: Volta o Trem 14-4)
05.04.2014
Rancagua Express
Apart of the already existing Alstom-built 39 XTrapolis EMU’s for Valparaíso’s MERVAL and the Santiago-Rancagua Rancagua Express state railways EFE ordered another 12 identical trains, 8 for MERVAL and 4 for Rancagua Express, which may be delivered in 2015.
(Source: Volta o Trem 14-3)
Earthquakes
The heavy earthquakes of the first days in April 2014 in the North of Chile not only damaged heavily the access roads to Iquique, also the mostly unused railway down to the city of Iquique has been declared as no longer in useable conditions.
(Source: Volta o Trem 14-3)
01.03.2014
Santiago-Nós-Rancagua
Because of heavy works for the new suburban train services between Santiago, Nós and Rancagua all train services (long distance and suburban) will be heavily reduced from March 4, 2014 on, leaving just a few services in the morning and evening rush hours.
(Source: Volta o Trem 14-2)
02.01.2014
Expreso Atacama
With the end of the Summer season 2012/2013 the Trans-atacama-Express out of Iquique was suspended and the carriages transferred by road to Arica. At Arica these carria-ges have been used for the 100 year celebrations of the Arica-La Paz Railway in May 2013, since then these carriages have no more been in use.
(Source: Volta o Trem 17-8)
Valdivia – Antilhue
For security reasons the steam train „El Valdiviano“(Valdivia – Antilhue) has been withdrawn.
(Source: Volta o Trem 17-8)
08.12.2013
Tacna-Arica
Cement producer Gloria is building a cement plant at the Tacna economic free zone and wants to rehabilitate the railway Tacna-Arica by 2015 to export cement to Chile using the port of Arica.
(Source: Volta o Trem 17-7)
20.10.2013
Santiago – Nós – Rancagua
The first of 24 EMU’s arrived at the port of San Antonio on October 19, 2013. The trains for the the Santiago – Nós – Rancagua suburban line are built by Alstom of Spain and the remaining 23 trains may arrive until end-November 2013.
(Source: Volta o Trem 17-6)
Talca - Constitución
After refurbishing some sections of track between Talca and Constitución journey times have been reduced by roughly 15 min.
During Summer months an additional train will run again between Talca and González Bastias.
(Source: Volta o Trem 17-6)
23.09.2013
Regional traffic
The upgrade of the Santiago – Nós – Rancagua route is under way. The timetables of Metrotren and TerraSur were considerably reduced in order to facilitate the works. On the Alameda to San Bernardo section, the new stations of Espejo, Lo Blanco and Freire are being built as well as the third and fourth line. The Pedro Aguirre Cerda station will be relocated to a new spot a few hundred metres away where it will establish a connection to the new Metro line 6, also under construction. The numerous level crossings between Alameda and Nós will be replaced by over- and underbridges. Twelve new electric trainsets will be delivered by Alstom within the next 3 months and test runs are scheduled to take place in December 2013. It is expected that the new system will become operational in April/May 2014. Train frequency between Alameda and Nós will be one train per direction every 8 minutes, this being increased to a train every 3 minutes in peak periods. Trains from Santiago to Rancagua will run every 30 minutes (every 15 minutes in peak period). Travel time from Santiago to Rancagua will be reduced from 80 to 50 minutes, and the number of passengers should increase to 23 Mio annually (after 4 years of new service). The current fleet of trains will be transferred to Concepción and integrated into the Biotren fleet. The extension of its south line (Concepción – San Pedro) to Coronel requires more trainsets than are currently available.
(Source: EFE, TMS)
Talca – Constitución
The state railway EFE has overhauled and integrally renovated 2 railbuses which were returned to the metre-gauge line in August 2013. These are Ferrostaal railbuses which operate for a long time on this line; it is not their first major overhaul. A third railbus, also renovated, will enter service in September/October 2013. The railbuses got new engines. At the same time, infrastructure upgrades worth 4 billions CHP (about 6 Mio. Euros) are taking place.
(Source: EFE)
Arica – La Paz
The Arica – La Paz railway organised two public excursions for the local population in May and June 2013. Trains ran from Arica to Poconchile and consisted of the few, now historical, passenger coaches which are based at the Chinchorro depot/workshops.
(Source: EFE)
Freight traffic
The Chilean state Railway EFE has advertised for bids to purchase two diesel-electric locomotives for freight trains on the Arica – La Paz railway (FCALP). After the Bolivian government refused to accept the Port Authority of Arica as operator of the line – although that entity owns the concession - , it is expected that EFE will operate it, at least temporarily.
(Source: EFE)
25.08.2013
Santiago - Chillán
The number of trains between Santiago and Chillán was re-duced August 1, 2013 to two daily round-trips. All other ser-vices out of Santiago Alameda station have also been redu-ced due to construction works between Santiago and Nós.
(Source: Volta o Trem 17-4)
16.06.2013
Local traffic EFE
The chilean state railway EFE has sold a second issue of bonds to raise funds for investments in suburban traffic. This time, 379 bonds for a total value of 93 Mio USD were sold, and the annual interest rate is 3,45%. Demand for the bonds exceeded three times the number of available bonds, that big are confidence and interest in the railway!
With those funds and a sum of 372 Mio USD allocated in December 2012, the following local traffic projects will be carried out:
Upgrade of the Santiago – Rancagua line and purchase of 12 Alstom Xtrapolis EMU until end of 2014.
Purchase of 8 additional EMU for MERVAL (Valparaiso – Limache)
From 2014 upgrade of the “Biotren” suburban line San Pedro – Coronel in the southern part of the Concepción metropolitan area, with 39,8 km of new double track and electrification.
In 2014 the upgrade of the 61 km long line Santiago – Melipilla will start. The line will serve 11 stations and 22 new EMU will be purchased. The state president Sebastián Piñera has allocated funds to the tune of 591 Mio USD for this project. It includes the modernisation of all level crossings along the line or their replacement by over- or underbridges. The stations of Maipú, Padre Hurtado, Talagante, Peñaflor and Melipilla will be renovated.
(Source: El Mercurio and La Tercera)
Regional traffic Temuco
The chilean government has confirmed that the planning process is still ongoing to resume regional traffic from Temuco southwards (Osorno, Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt). Again, diesel railcars will cover the route.
(Source: La Tercera)
Santiago - Temuco
TMS, operator of the long-distance trains Santiago – Chillán, is running an increased number of overnight trains from Santiago to Temuco. In the first 5 months of 2013, the train operated four times during the summer holiday season and on public holidays. As all trains south of Chillán are hauled by diesel locomotives which are unable to generate head-end power for the ex-Renfe carriages, a car-conveying coach has been converted into a generator van.
(Source: TMS)
10.06.2013
Santiago-Melipilla
2014 will see the start of upgrading of the 61 km Santiago-Melipilla line, which will open 2016 as a new suburban line. State president Piñera allowed US$591mio. for these works.
(Source: Volta o Trem 17-3)
10.03.2013
Tourist train Valdivia – Antilhue
The tourist train Valdivia – Antilhue could not operate during the 2012/2013 summer season because the authorities closed the line due to bad track condition.
(Source: Tren Rodante and others)
Temuco
The government has requested a study from the state railway EFE about re-opening of the line south of Temuco (Osorno or Puerto Varas) for passenger service. EFE has to calculate the cost of track repair and level crossings and the government will make its decision based on those figures.
(Source: EFE)
Arica – Visviri
At the end of January 2013 the first test run on the Arica – Visviri line took place with a freight train of 12 wagons. The 206 km long line has been refurbished for 45 Mio USD from the state railway EFE's budget. The line was closed for 8 years. Currently, the Port Authority of Arica holds the concession and they are looking for a business partner to operate it.
Media in Chile criticize that the bolivian section between Charaña and Viacha is still in bad condition which prevents the line from being an efficient transport route.
(Source: various)
10.02.2013
Tacna - Arica
The Tacna – Arica Railway will be rebuilt and put again in service by the local government of Tacna with some financial help from the Peruvian government. Sources are indicating that some elements of the study for rehabilitation of this railway, done by FLB-Member David Sorg will help for the re-development of the line.
(Source: Volta o Trem 17-1)
17.01.2013
Passenger traffic
Trenes Metropolitanos of Santiago has now fully taken over the long-distance traffic from TerraSur. Even the TerraSur website was deleted.
(Source: Fahrplancenter)
The “Expreso Maule”, which ran for a short period on a daily basis between Santiago and Talca, has now resumed its operation, and the route has been extended from Santiago to Linares, south of Talca.
(Source: Fahrplancenter)
A new Sunday service has been introduced on the metre-gauge line Talca – Constitución; it will operate during the summer months. A railbus will do a round-trip from Talca to González Bastias and back with stops at Corinto and Curtiduría. This service will run until early March in order to meet the high demand during the summer months.
(Source: Fahrplancenter)
Tacna – Arica
The government of the Tacna province is finally providing 6 Mio Nuevos Soles (over 2,2 Mio USD) for track repairs on the 62 km long line from Tacna to Arica (Chile). Also, the Toshiba railcar of the Huancayo – Huancavelica line is supposed to be transferred to Tacna in order to have a “more modern” vehicle available for service.
(Source: Fahrplancenter)
12.10.2012
Tacna-Arica
This train ceased to run after a construction engine destroyed a section of track. The construction company is not willing to repair the damage.
(Source: Volta o Trem 16-6)