The former Central of Peru station has been repaired and re-adapted as the Casa de Litertura. Unfortunately in the process, the Ferrocarril Central name has disappeared as well as the Desamparados station name on the front of the station. Leaving people not to know that this was once the main train station in Lima. However the monthly or bi-monthly tourist trains depart from behind the station. A area near the tracks is now set up as a reading area and overlooks the tracks. For train departures a metal detector is set up at the entrance.

One must be on the passenger list to board the train or visit the station platform. Only one track remains behind the station. The rest of the yards is now converted to park area with grass, walk ways and fencing on the ends of the tracks to keep visitors coming in from outside the station area. The former walkway from the station over the tracks can be used to access this park.

In addition to this change at the station, the Guadalupe railroad shops at Callao are to be raised in favor of expanding the port facilities. The shops will be rebuilt in Chosica at the Government expense.
Dale Brown
www.wingsandrails.com

Dale;

Welcome to the RYPN Interchange, and thanks for the updates from Chile.

We don't discuss perservation outside of North America very much; but there are some folks - myself, Tom Gears, and I am sure others -- who enjoy hearing about it. Thanks.

Since I am married to a Peruvian, this allows me to keep abreast of developments in other Latin American countries. Also My Wife and I have been operators of tours to South America for over 4 years. We have lots of contacts with railroads, railfans and other people that share my interest in Railroading south of the Rio Grande.

One major problems with reporting about South or Central America is need to make actual visits to some locations to see what is going on. Often Latin Americans have no connection or education about railroads or history. Many don't even know that they have railroads in their countries. Also history is often allowed to disappear for sake of progress. Such with Desemparados Station. Saving the name and railroad name would have been more historically accurate. However someone wanted their mark on the building. A small rail history section in the building would have been a idea addition.

Dale Brown
Independence, KY.
www.wingsandrails.com

Not Chile (big enemy of Peru), Lima, Peru.

Dale

Very interested as well, thanks. Please keep it coming.

dave

If it's preservation, potential preservation, or has an impact on preservation, we're interested. Well, at least some of us are. Welcome, and I for one hope to hear more updates from "your" part of the world........

My real part of the world is Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati. My other hangout is Lima, Peru. However the commute is crappy. This last trip was for family, since my Stepson and Daughter in Law had our first grandchild. So it was a choice between the Wife's Inca Curse on me for checking out trains or seeing the family.

Since I do not have Ataualpa's revenge or George Washington's revenge, I think it went OK. I have been visiting Peru and parts of South America for 11 years. Looking forward to returning again and checking out Colombia's railroads.

Dale Brown

Here is two views from 2008 of the Desampardos Station and sign.

Dale Brown

Something that's happened to many railway stations on this side of the Equator. At least the building has been preserved. Last weekend I did a posting on another forum about surviving Pacific Electric depots in San Bernardino County. One bit of US railway preservation that's quite a ways to the southeast of Peru: two or three Pacific Electric locomotives and one modified "Hollywood" car are located in the Buenos Aires, Argentina area. Any reports from there?

That's what I get for trying to quickly post an answer on my usually busy Sunday; didn't mean to start a war. :)

I am currently studying the turn-of-the-century powerhouses that were used to power the streetcar systems and railways at the time of transistion from huge steam engine driven dynamos to the early steam turbines. Like you and Bob mentioned regarding stations; it is surprising how much is still with us at least until recently; though very little of it has been preserved in any likeness of it's former use.

Don't worry no war. The Peruvian Navy maintains the last big gun Cruser in any World Navy. It is a former Dutch ship purchased in 1980's and one of two cruisers purchased. It is a surviver of WWII. Also Chile has former American Civil War built in 1862-64 in Cincinnati, OH Monitor Class Ironclad. Sold to the Peruvian Navy in 1868 and captured in the Battle of Angomas during the "War of the Pacific" and still kept by Chile as a war memorial.

Dale Brown

Speaking of Peruvian ships, what's the latest on the Ollanta on Lake Titicaca? I've always wanted to get down there to ride her ever since I saw her featured on the PBS Great Railway Journeys episode back in the early 80's.

Reckon they'd like to buy the Delta Queen?

dave

Ollanta is in dry dock near Puno. Not sure what the long range plans are for her. Perurall has not been able to market the use of the boat for tourism. Maybe because the cost to maintain is so high. Also beached nearby is the Cuya. The Yarvari is one dock away and open to the public.

Dale Brown

Thanks for posting Dale, really enjoy international railroading and history. I've managed to get to a bit of Latin America but Peru is still on the to-do list. I was amazed at the former central station in Montevideo, Uruguay and how saddened at it's poor and unused condition. On the other hand the station complex in Buenos Aires with trains running on three gauges of track is probably the most interesting I've ever visited. Please keep the photos coming.