Tren del Recuerdo (Train of Memories)

EFE Trenes de Chile
Chile
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The Journey

Navigate from Estación Central (Santiago) to San Antonio across a span of 110km.

Scenery Highlights
  • Maipo Valley vineyards (Maipo and Casablanca appellations)
  • El Monte and Melipilla colonial town stops
  • San Antonio Pacific Ocean port terminus
  • Andean pre-cordillera views to the east
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    3.5 hours

  • Distance

    110 km

  • Est. Price

    86,900–124,900 CLP

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: Three-course Mediterranean lunch with Maipo Valley wine pairing

Ensuite: No

Meals: Three-course chef-prepared lunch with Maipo Valley reserve wine pairing and welcome champagne

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

EMD GP9 diesel-electric locomotive, 1960s, 1,750 hp, USA-built

Locomotive Weight

~117 tonnes

Track Gauge

1,435 mm standard gauge

Braking Technology

Air brakes on locomotive and all passenger cars

Route Engineering Challenges

  • Route descends from Santiago's 570 m elevation through the Maipo River valley to sea level at the Pacific port of San Antonio — 570 m total elevation drop over 110 km

  • Mixed-traffic single-track corridor serving EFE freight, Santiago Metro inter-city services, and the heritage tourist operation — requires careful timetable coordination for Saturday tourist departure slots

  • Heritage Linke-Hofmann cars from 1923 require intensive periodic maintenance including hardwood floor restoration, marquetry touch-up, and brass fitting polishing

  • Maipo Valley wine region is growing economically — passenger and freight demand both compete for the same corridor

Formation

EMD GP9 diesel-electric locomotive + 1923 Linke-Hofmann first-class coach (I-203) + 1923 Linke-Hofmann first-class coach (I-199) + 1923 Linke-Hofmann dining car (Y-19)

Route

Santiago (Estación Central, 570 m) → Maipo Valley → San Antonio (Pacific port, sea level), 110 km

Maximum speed

100 km/h (Corridor limit)

Operator

EFE Trenes de Chile

Rolling stock heritage

Linke-Hofmann cars built 1923 Germany (now 103 years of age) — among the oldest operating heritage passenger cars in South America

Departure frequency

Saturdays year-round (plus selected Sundays and holiday Mondays)

Languages

Spanish commentary onboard; English printed guide

Currency

Chilean Peso (CLP); ~1 USD = ~950 CLP (2026 rates); cards accepted at EFE booking

Status

Active — EFE flagship heritage day-trip since 1994

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    3.5 hours

  • Distance

    110 km

  • Est. Price

    86,900–124,900 CLP

Official Booking Provider