Affectionately known as ”Princesa das Pontes”, the small and peaceful town of Muçum, in Vale do Taquari (RS), just over 110 km from Porto Alegre, is the starting point for the Trem dos Vales, a tour that takes place in brief seasons since 2018.
The 12 cars are pulled by an American electric diesel locomotive from the 1950s, and take tourists for two and a half hours along the tracks that make up the Ferrovia do Trigo (EF-491). On the way, you cross the municipalities of Muçum, Vespasiano Corrêa, Dois Lajeados and Guaporé.
In addition to observing the natural landscapes, the fun is on account of the 23 tunnels and 15 viaducts along the route, one of them being the V13, the highest railway viaduct in the Americas and the second highest in the world — it is second only to Mala Rijeka in Montenegro. , in southeastern Europe.
It is 143 meters high and 509 meters long.
The V13 was built by the Brazilian Army in the 1970s, during the military dictatorship. It is one of the most photographed by tourists who board the Trem dos Vales.
Two other viaducts worth mentioning for their engineer are the Mula Preta, 98 meters high and 360 meters long, and the Pesseguinho, a little lower, 86 meters high and 268 meters long.
Unlike the V13, these are hollowed out in a curve, that is, they do not have protective walls — it is easier for tourists to experience the sensation of ”floating” at heights.
There are 46 km in total, starting from the Muçum Railway Station, opened in December 1979 and restored in 2021. The final destination is the Guaporé Railway Station. Each ticket is valid for one “leg” of the route, which can also be done in the opposite direction.
In each car, a steward explains to tourists the geographic data and historical facts of each region. Tourists also have on-board service where snacks and drinks are offered in general — it is worth mentioning that the train does not stop in the cities.
Below the 46 km route of the Ferrovia do Trigo (EF-491), in certain locations, there are campsites, small inns and some chalets for rent, such as in the interior of the municipality of Vespasiano Corrêa, where the V13 is located.
Ariel and Francine Agnoletto, 46 and 43, from Rio Grande do Sul, say they are passionate about traveling, and have already taken the trip on the Trem dos Vales with their son Álvaro, 12. Now, Francine plans to take her parents to see the route on the day October 2.
“It’s the most beautiful train ride we have in Brazil, and that’s what I’ve done several times. The differential of this trip is the views of the valleys, the river, the tunnels and viaducts. It’s incredible,” believes the architect, who also manages a travel blog.
A tip from Francine is that tourists arrive at the Muçum Railway Station at least 30 minutes in advance. “The train leaves at 2 pm punctually,” she says. While you’re waiting, it’s worth taking pictures of the station and the cars.
Getúlio Vargas’ wagon
Of the 12 wagons that make up the composition, two of them are considered special by the Associação Brasileira de Preservação Ferroviária (ABPF): the first, with the AD-09 figure, was built in 1925 in Rio Grande do Sul, and was used to transport directors of the rail transport to other municipalities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
This wagon also ended up being used many times by ex-president Getúlio Vargas in the 1930s and 1940s, which earned it the nickname “Getúlio Car”.
The second “special” wagon is the AM-01, manufactured in 1924, in Curitiba, Paraná. This was also used to transport directors of the railway modal and political personalities, such as Nereu Ramos, who was vice president and president of the Republic — in this position it took just two months and 21 days.
Planned for more than 20 years, Trem dos Vales became a reality in 2018, when guests and the press made the first boarding in December of that year. In 2019, in two weekends, more than 5,000 tourists traveled on eight tours.
In the pandemic, there was only 50% occupancy in the wagons. For the 2022 season, which began on August 6, the forecast is to carry out 60 tours, transporting more than 35,000 tourists.
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