All aboard the Mantiqueira Express! After more than 20 years out of service, the railroad linking the interior of São Paulo to the south of Minas Gerais is up and running again. The first stretch of the revitalized line is already welcoming visitors to Cruzeiro, 220 kilometers from the capital of São Paulo, for a bucolic ride on century-old locomotives.
The restoration is an initiative of the Brazilian Railway Preservation Association (ABPF) and promises to bring the two states even closer together through tourism. As well as giving the tracks of the former Federal Railway Network a new lease of life, the tour crosses enchanting landscapes of the Serra da Mantiqueira allowing travelers to explore the interior of São Paulo from a new perspective.
The route of the SP-Minas train and the marks of history
From 1884 to 1991, the tracks of the current Mantiqueira Express were an important freight and passenger corridor. Now 35 kilometers long, they have been reborn from a tourist perspective, with stops at historic stations, rural stretches and the emblematic Mantiqueira Tunnel . A landmark on the border between Minas and São Paulo, the tunnel was the scene of bloody battles during the Constitutionalist Revolution of 1932.
The entire railway line connects the city of Cruzeiro to Passa Quatro in Minas Gerais. For the time being, however, the operation focuses on the first seven revitalized kilometers, which go as far as Rufino de Almeida. However, the work continues at full speed and will soon reach the border, where the São Paulo section will connect with the Minas Gerais lines, which are already receiving passengers.
A curious fact about the SP-Minas Train is that its tracks were once used by Dom Pedro II. After all, the then emperor and his family took part in the inauguration of the railroad, recording the ride with an iconic photo in front of the Mantiqueira Tunnel.
The next trip of the Mantiqueira Express has already been scheduled!
For the time being, the Mantiqueira Express makes sporadic trips. The next one will be on January 18th, with departures at 10am and 12pm at Cruzeiro Railway Station. The tour lasts one hour and goes to Rufino de Almeida Station aboard an original locomotive.
Tickets for this historical immersion start at R$50 and are available in advance on the official website. But beware: demand is high and tickets usually sell out quickly! As the next dates have not yet been confirmed, this is your chance to secure your place in the wagon.
