PeruRail is a railway operator working tourist, freight, and charter services in southern Peru. It was founded in 1999 by Lorenzo Sousa and Sea Containers. The main line between the port of Matarani, Arequipa (the capital of this region is Peru's second largest city), Cusco and Puno on Lake Titicaca was formerly known as the Ferrocarril del Sur (Peru Southern Railway), and was for a time owned and operated by the ENAFER state company. It is the second highest railway in the world after the Qinghai--Tibet Railway to Tibet. From Cusco, PeruRail provides passenger services on the 3 ft (914 mm) gauge Ferrocarril Santa Ana to Aguas Calientes, delivering tourists for Machu Picchu. It operates in a 50-50 venture with Orient-Express Hotels and Peruvian partner, namely Lorenzo Sousa Debarbieri and son Renzo Sousa, owners of the holding company Peruvian Trains and Railways. Lorenzo Sousa is the Chaiman of the Board of Directors of the company. On the route from Cusco to Machu Picchu, PeruRail transports the vast majority of visitors and provides several different services. The Hiram Bingham Pullman, named for Machu Picchu's American discoverer, Hiram Bingham, is the highest service. It departs from Poroy at 9 a.m., later than other departures. Meals, guides, bus service and entrance to the ruins are included. Other services include Vistadome services provided by 1965 vintage German Ferrostaal refurbished railcars with large side and overhead windows, allowing views of the mountainous terrain, complete with at-seat refreshments included, and Expedition trains which offer basic service in upholstered seats at a lower price. Snacks are sold and space is provided for backpacks, particularly for Inca Trail hikers. Although not advertised, PeruRail also offers local trains equipped with wooden seats and that are available only to Peruvian nationals for a fraction of the price charged for tourists. First class service is also offered on the Andean Explorer train from Cusco to Puno in refurbished coaches that include dining cars and an open-air observation bar car. The interiors of the First Class coaches on the Cusco to Lake Titicaca trains were designed by James Park & Associates, the same company who designed the elegant First Class cabins for Singapore Airlines. The actual work, however, was done in Cusco by Cusquenian workers. After the refurbishment was completed, a traditional ceremony 'Pago a la Tierra' (payment to Mother Earth), an Andean tradition, was organised to 'bless' the train. A local shaman presided over the ceremony, which involved many traditional rites. At its highest point, La Raya Pass (14°28′59″S 70°59′20″W), the altitude is 4,313 m (14,150 ft). The train makes a stop in La Raya pass where there is an exquisite view over all the plains to the snowcapped mountains, and a beautiful old chapel, standing all alone in the middle of the Andean plateau. PeruRail runs daily freight services between the port of Matarani, the city of Arequipa, and the Andean cities of Juliaca, Puno, and Cuzco. Under PeruRail's administration the tonnage transported increased from 460,000 tons during 1999, 573,000 tons in 2000 to 639,000 tons during 2001. The main products transported by PeruRail are copper concentrates, fuel, wheat (for Peruvian and Bolivian consumption), coal, cement, soya flour from Bolivia, coffee, beer and non-alcoholic beverages. The car float Manco Capac operates across Lake Titicaca between PeruRail's railhead at Puno and the port of Guaqui in Bolivia. PeruRail also owns the former ferry SS Ollanta, which was launched on Lake Titicaca in 1931. Ollanta is now refurbished for tourist cruises and PeruRail has leased her out for charter work.

• published: 04 Jul 2013
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