Steam in Paraguay

The standard gauge Ferrocarril Presidente Carlos Antonio Lopez is still holding onto life.  This 100% steam worked railroad has now lost its connection to Argentina because of the new lake filling up and covering over the railroad near Encarnacion on the Parana River.  The only section open is Asuncion to San Salvador (106 miles).   The only regular service is a weekend tourist train running from Asuncion to Ypacaray (30 miles). The line between Ypacaray and San Salvador is used as needed for some freight about once every two weeks.  Trains Unlimited Tours ran charters on the Lopez railroad on October 28-29-30 and the railroad was able to fire up and operate three different steam locomotives.  Also special permission was given to run a passenger special and freight special San Salvador south for 28 miles over a section of railroad that had not seen a train in about three years.

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