The Perus-Pirapora Railway 2011

See also the previous posting from January/February 2011.

John Kirchner has sent these pictures from a visit on 29th October 2011. He writes: "I found the Perus-Pirapora to be a funky, fun place -- very low key. It was really wonderful to see it alive 33 years after I shot it in happier times, when it was still a busy, busy little railroad. I have always loved “little” industrials, and the Perus was one of the best."

The preservation society has a home page http://peruspirapora.blogspot.com, in particular this page gives some background http://peruspirapora.blogspot.com/2010/11/um-pouco-da-historia-da-efpp-e-do.html and there is a useful historical map of this 600mm railway here http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9ImBVTxYrNg/TNdWn_fd4QI/AAAAAAAAAcI/y2du9ahnoh8/s1600/mapa1.jpg which you can use for some of the locations referred to below and in the article linked above. As of October 2011, some 5km was in serviceable condition. Obviously resources are limited and a balance has to be struck between restoring more of the 20km line and securing and restoring the surviving rolling stock.

Note the following locations from Google Earth:

• Cement Works Perus - 23°24'06.03"S 46°45'34.66"W
• Present Terminus 23°23'54.48"S 46°46'28.58"W (taken from an uploaded picture apparently taken here)
• Corredor Yard 23°24'16.41"S 46°47'18.43"W
• Cajamar Depot 23°22'04.41"S 46°52'10.03"W
• Gato Preto Workshop 23°21'53.41"S 46°51'6.05"W

Regular operations are in the hands of this Alco 0-4-2ST, #2 at Corredor. Other photographs were taken here unless stated otherwise.

Also restored are OK 0-4-2T #8 and this small Diemar 4wD.

The next pictures show a little something of the current run.

Already the little railway has come a long way in a short time, but as these next pictures show, there are plenty of challenging restoration projects ahead. Several of the locomotives are now off site for restoration.

This a classic Baldwin 2-4-0, the hole where the worsplate was attached suggests that at the very least it will need a new smokebox before it runs again!

A boiler removed for repair at Gato Preto and 14 is Baldwin 2-6-2 with added pannier tanks.

#18 is a 2-6-2ST reported to have been built in Brazil, World of South American Steam suggests Usina Monte Alegre and #3 is a 2-4-2ST from Alco, these are at Gato Preto.

Hopefully some of the box wagons will be restored so that an authentic train can be operated.