Rainforest Ecological Train
{{Infobox rail service
| box_width = 250
| name = Tren Ecológico de la Selva
| logo =
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| image = J31 131 »tren ecologico«.jpg
| image_width = 250
| caption = The train in 2018
| type = Light
| status = Active
| locale = Iguazú National Park, Misiones Province
| predecessor =
| first = {{Start date and age|1995}}
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| operator = Iguazú Argentina
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| start = Central
| stops = 1
| end = Garganta del Diablo
| distance = 7 km
| journeytime = 20'
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| gauge = {{RailGauge|600mm}}
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| owners = Iguazú National Park
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| map = 200px
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The Rainforest Ecological Train or Waterfalls Train (Tren Ecológico de la Selva or Tren de las Cataratas) is a {{RailGauge|600mm|lk=on}} narrow gauge train that runs through the forest inside Iguazú National Park in the north of the province of Misiones of Argentina.
The line is {{convert|7|km|mi}} long and was built using rail track by French manufacturer Decauville."Sistemas ferroviarios Decauville" by Jorge Rendiche on Revista Boicana - July 10, 2021[https://web.archive.org/web/20190501061525/https://www.lagaceta.com.ar/nota/586220/sociedad/chisporroteo-chorbita-mando-via-muerta-al-trencito-yerba-buena.html El chisporroteo de la chorbita mandó a vía muerta al “Trencito” de Yerba Buena] on La Gazeta, 11 Apr 2014 (archived)
Characteristics
File:Tren Ecológico de la Selva1.jpg
The train can transport up to 150 passengers over {{convert|7|km|mi}} of track from the Visitors’ Centre to Cataratas (Waterfalls) Station and Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Gorge) Station. It carries approximately 900,000 visitors yearly.
The train was built in England by Alan Keef Ltd, in Ross-on-Wye. It is painted green and the propane-fired locomotive pulls up to five[https://www.panamsur.com/Grafiken/South%20America%202009/Brasil/Iguazu%20Waterfalls/slides/Puerto%20Iguazu%20(14).jpg Photo of the train with 5 carriages visible][https://theonlyperuguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Iguacu-falls-Train.jpg Photo of the train with only 3 wagons] opened-roofed carriages with wooden seats at the sides so that the passengers can view the forest.
The tracks run along the Iguazu River and the train runs at speeds of up to {{convert|20|kph|mph}},{{citation needed|date=September 2022}} stopping when animals cross the lines. The journey takes about 20 minutes. From Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Gorge) Station visitors can go to a viewing platform built on the edge of the huge waterfall {{convert|90|m|ft}} high called Garganta del Diablo.
Stations
- Central: Main terminal with a commercial area, restrooms, first-aid room and Park Ranger offices.
- Cataratas (Waterfalls): A square, lounge area, fast food services and restrooms. Pathways to the Lower and Upper Circuits.
- Garganta (Devil's Gorge): A square, restrooms and fast food premises. The Garganta del Diablo walkway leads to viewing platforms built over the lip of the waterfall. As of February 2024, the train is not running to Garganta due to the closure of the walkway to Garganta del Diablo (Oct 2023 floods destroyed most of the walkways){{cite web | url=https://www.clarin.com/viajes/empiezan-reconstruccion-pasarela-garganta-diablo-cataratas-dano-abrira-visitas_0_rN8wQrHlFx.html | title=Empieza la reconstrucción de la pasarela a la Garganta del Diablo en las Cataratas: Por qué se dañó y cuándo abrirá a las visitas | date=21 February 2024 }}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20210814022433/https://iguazuargentina.com/es/trenecologico Tren Ecológico] on Iguazú Argentina (archived)
- [http://parquenacionaliguazu.com.ar/tren-ecologico-de-la-selva/ Tren Ecológico] on Parque Iguazú
- [https://www.patagonia-argentina.com/en/tren-ecologico-de-la-selva/ Ecological Rainforest Train] on Patagonia-Argentina {{in lang|en}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090217230802/http://membres.lycos.fr/ferroaficionadosar4/selva.htm Tren ecológico] history and information (archived, Feb 2009)
{{Rail transport in Argentina}}
{{Decauville}}
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Category:Tourist attractions in Misiones Province
Category:Railway lines in Argentina