News Uruguay
17.06.2024
AFE
Although the completely reconstructed railway line from Montevideo to Paso de los Toros is now open for freight traffic, passenger traffic is not doing particularly well. According to reports from Uruguay, it will take at least until 2025 before local traffic between Montevideo and 25 de Agosto is resu-med. It is still unclear whether new vehicles will be purchased for this purpose or whether the railcars (ex-SJ Sweden) used in the north between Tacuarembó and Rivera will be moved back to the south. It is not yet known whether the route from Sayago to Victor Sudriers will also get passenger traffic again.
(Source: FCNews 80)
02.04.2024
Portren
The new company Portren started freight traffic between Paso de los Toros and Montevideo with its first trips at the end of March/early April 2024. Flooding between 25 de Agosto and Florida led to delays in the start of operations.
(Source: FCNews 78)
12.06.2023
Tram Montevideo
In June 2023, the project of a tram line from El Pinar to Plaza Indepencia in the center of Montevideo was presented in the media. It will be a route of around 35 km with 33 stops and cost around US$500million. Among others, Stadler Rail Valencia should also be represented in the consortium. This is not the first project of such a line.
(Source: FCNews 70)
28.12.2021
Ferrocarril Central
Track laying for the new Ferrocarril Central started from Florida to the South and the North.
(Source: Volta o Trem 25-3)
28.12.2020
Locomotives refurbished
AFE refurbished the first of 4 diesel-locomotives of the 1500 class. These General Electreric/ALCO locomotives have been delivered between 1952 and 1954. They will be used for freight services operated by SELF between Minas and Montevideo.
(Source: Volta o Trem 24-9)
18.10.2020
Renovations
The AFE president and further technisians underwent a trip over the Tres Arboles – Paysandú – Queguay section by railcar to inspect the progress of line rehabilitation. The section from Queguay to Salto Grande is currently also under rehabilitation. It wasn’t excluded that a passenger service in the Paysandú region may be implemented, planning for that is underway.
(Source: Volta o Trem 24-7)
12.07.2020
Tourist Trains
The state railway company AFE is looking into the introduction of tourist trains, particularly on lines which are currently without traffic but where the infrastructure still exists.
Located on the former railway line to Rocha, the communities of José Ignacio (168 km east of the capital Montevideo) and Garzón plan to operate a railcar, allegedly of German origin and built in 1945, on the 19 km of route between the two villages. Both railway stations also form part of the concept.
(Source: Fahrplancenter/Volta o Trem)
Passenger traffic
Due to the severe spread of Corona virus in Brazil and the fear that it may jump from the Brazilian city of Santana do Livramento across the open border to Rivera in Uruguay, AFE limited the journey of the railcar to the Tacuarembó – Paso Tranqueras section and reduced the frequency from 5 to 2 weekly round-trips from 28 May 2020.
(Source: Volta o Trem 24-5)
28.03.2020
Corona Update
The train between Tacuarembó and Rivera operates normally.
(Source: Volta o Trem 24-2)
16.10.2019
Trains in the Central Station of Montevideo
In a surprising step state railways AFE repaired some tracks between the Nueva Terminal de Pasajeros (Terminal station) and the old Estación Central (Central station). After the arrival of a small shunting locomotive the station was opened to the public September 21 with an exhibition of Rolling-stock, comprising diesel-locomotives and a railcar (ex-Sweden) and for the first time in nearly 17 years a passenger train arrived! It was the AUAR (Railway friends organisation) Steam train with Steam loco 120. Many people attended the event.
(Source: Volta o Trem 23-6)
25.08.2019
Project Ferrocarril Central
The Ferrocarril Central project is going ahead. Dismantling the old railway line near Florida started recently.
(Source: Volta o Trem 23-4)
Public special Train
August 8, 2019 a public special train was running over the 62 km from Paso de los Toros to Achar operated by a Swedish railcar.
(Source: Volta o Trem 23-4)
Tacuarembó – Rivera
From August 26, 2019 train services between Tacuarembó and Rivera will run five times a week instead of 3 times, due to high demand.
(Source: Volta o Trem 23-4)
10.07.2019
Freight traffic
Freight traffic from Sayago towards the north ceased on 12 July 2019 in order to hand the route over to the contractors of the Ferrocarril Central project. There will also be a line closure on the Rio Branco route, although this will only last for one month during which the level crossing at the Avenida José Belloni in Manga will be refurbished.
(Source: Trenes del Uruguay)
Railcars
For the duration of the line closure in the Montevideo area, all operational railcars have been transferred to Paso de los Toros. It is foreseen to use them for passenger trains between Paso de los Toros and Tacuarembó as well as between Guichón and Paysandú once track rehabilitation work on those routes has been carried out.
(Source: Radio Uruguay)
23.06.2019
Project Ferrocarril Central
One month later than previously announced passenger traffic from Montevideo to 25 de Agosto and Victor Sudriers was withdrawn to free the lines for the Ferrocarril Central project. From June 15 on all use-able railcars have been transferred from the workshops at Peñarol to Paso de los Toros. There are rumors that AFE wants to use the rolling-stock to introduce passenger traffic on the already refurbished lines from Paso de los Toros to Tacuarembó and between Guichón and Paysandú.
(Source: Volta o Trem 23-3)
02.04.2019
Montevideo – Paso de los Toros
Passenger traffic on the routes from Montevideo to 25 de Agosto and Victor Sudriers will cease on 18 May 2019 for about 3 years. A few weeks later, state railway AFE will close the line entirely, and no freight trains will run thereafter. This is a requirement to facilitate construction work associated with the Ferrocarril Central project. The project involves an integral overhaul and upgrade of the 273 km long route from Montevideo to Paso de los Toros and will provide for higher axle loads and speeds. Work is to begin in May 2019 and will take up to 3 years. Contrary to initial fears, company staff will not be made redundant, but will be redeployed to other routes still in operation.
(Source: AFE, Trenes del Uruguay)
31.03.2019
Rebuilding of Lines
After May 17, 2019 all passenger trains from Montevideo to 25 de Agosto and Victor Sudriers will be withdrawn for an undetermined period because of complete rebuilding of the line to the North within the Ferrocarril Central project. The trains between Tacuarembó and Rivera will continue to run.
(Source: Volta o Trem 23-2)
21.01.2019
Passenger traffic
The state railway AFE reopened the 118 km long line from Tacuarembó to Rivera after completion of track rehabilitation work. At the same time, passenger trains were introduced. The train is formed of two swedish-built and acquired second-hand Y1 railcars and operates one round-trip on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. All 6 intermediate stations and 14 request stops (aka „milepost stops“) are served with a total travel time of 2 hours.
AFE have announced that they intend to resume passenger traffic on the 172 km long section of line Tacuarembó – Paso de los Toros once the already well-advanced track repair work is complete.
According to various reports, the new link to Rivera is very well used.
(Source: AFE, Trenes del Uruguay)
Montevideo – Paso de los Toros
Work on the „Ferrocarril Central“ project, affecting the 273 km long line Montevideo – Paso de los Toros are expected to start in February 2019. The price tag is over US$ 800m and is, therefore, the most expensive railway project ever in Uruguay. The scope of the project is an upgrade of the line for a freight train speed of 80 kph and an axle load of 22 tons. 26 km of line will be upgraded to double track, and the railway alignment will be put in a cutting through a number of town to eliminate the level crossings. All remaining level crossings will be fitted with lights and bells or automatic barriers. Many curves will be straightened, and 12 passing loops will be built. More than 40 bridges will either be refurbished or rebuilt.
The project is met with fierce resistance at some places. There is a fear about the intensity of traffic as an annual flow of up to 2,5m tonnes is expected, most of it originating from the new cellulose plant of UPM near Paso de los Toros. Others fear that exclusively UPM freight will be hauled, discriminating against other freight flows. According to the trade union, it also appears that there is no clear plan about what railway staff are supposed to do while the line is closed for refurbishment; and there is a fear of redundancies.
(Source: Ferrocarril Central; Trenes del Uruguay, La Nación, Unión Ferroviária)
26.12.2018
Tacuarembó – Rivera
December 19, 2018 saw the reintroduction of a regular passenger train in the North of the country. Two coupled ex-Swedish Y1 railcars run every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Tacuarembó to Rivera back. State Railways AFE announced also the possibility to run a similar service from Tacuarembó to Paso de los Toros once the rehabilitation works on the line are finished.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-A)
05.10.2018
Montevideo – Victor Sudriers
The repeatedly postponed re-introduction of the Montevideo – Victor Sudriers service was again scheduled, this time for 28 September 2018. However, another strike prevented this from happening, and passenger trains eventually returned to the line on Monday 1st October 2018. At present there is just one round-trip operating, leaving early in the morning from Victor Sudriers and returning from Montevideo in the evening. An ex-swedish Y1 railcar covers the service. According to AFE, more services will be added to the timetable at a later date.
(Source: AFE)
Montevideo Estación Central General Artigas
After a lawsuit was finally settled – it dragged on for many years -, the former central railway station of Montevideo „Estación Central General Artigas“ returned to state ownership. After a visit and viewing by government officials in August 2018 it was decided to open the building to the public during the heritage weekend of 06 and 07 October 2018. Some cleaning and repair work were carried out for this. At present, it is still unclear how the old station will be used in the future. Public opinion hugely favours returning it to its original purpose as a railway terminus, complemented with commercial and cultural venues.
(Source: Presidencia de la República)
2000 class Locomotives
The freight train operator SELF (Servicios Logísticos Ferroviarios, with AFE holding a 51% stake) has integrally overhauled four of its 2000 class locomotives and returned them to revenue service. These locomotives were built by General Electric Canada in 1993 and supplied to the state railway AFE.
(Source: SELF/AFE)
Montevideo – Victor Sudriers
The start of the railcar service Montevideo – Victor Sudriers September 28, 2018 was again delayed by a strike and it could commence October 1 with one pair per day except Sundays.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-9)
10.09.2018
Montevideo – Victor Sudriers
The railcar service Montevideo – Victor Sudriers will now start definitively September 15, 2018 only.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-8)
07.08.2018
Montevideo – Victor Sudriers
AFE announced the reopening of the Montevideo – Victor Sudriers line in August 2018. Two train pairs are planned, run with railcars acquired second-hand from Sweden, two in the morning to Montevideo and two back in the evening.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-7)
05.06.2018
Special Train
On June 2, 2018 to the San Cono festivities AFE operated a special train Montevideo – Florida – Montevideo.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-6)
Refurbishing on Lcomotives
AFE is finally refurbishing completely 4 diesel-locomotives of the type 2000 (built 1992 by GE Canada).
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-6)
05.04.2018
Montevideo – Victor Sudriers
The projected reintrodution of regular passenger services between Montevideo and Victor Sudriers end March 2018 was not realized. Instead passenger trains operated during two days in the Easter week. A new opening date has not yet been given.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-4)
04.03.2018
End of Strikes
The strike which halted most freight and all passenger trains in most parts of the country could finally come to an end.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-3)
11.02.2018
Strikes at AFE
Many strikes initated by the railway workers union led state railway AFE to extend the validity of monthly tickets for passengers.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-2)
08.01.2018
Montevideo – Sayago – Manga – Toledo – Pando – Victor Sudriers
The state railway AFE has made a firm commitment for reopening the Montevideo – Sayago – Manga – Toledo – Pando -Victor Sudriers line to passenger traffic; this should happen in the week before Easter 2018. The service will be covered by one of the Swedish Y1 railcars, imported second-hand in 2017. A variety of reasons have led to the delay of this reintroduction. Refurbishment of the railcars to operational condition progresses slowly as there is a lack of engineering staff. Some level crossings along the line which still sees daily freight trains need upgraded while station platforms, particularly the one at Pando, require repair work. There is also a lack of train guards, but a recruitment and training exercise is currently under way. An agreement with the city of Montevideo is in preparation to enable through ticketing between trains and city bus lines.
The plans propose one round-trip in the morning and another one in the evening on weekdays. A test run with a Y1 railcar already took place.
(Source: AFE)
Montevideo – 25 de Agosto
According to AFE Director Alfonso Lereté, the railway is assessing the possibility to increase the number of daily round-trips from 2 to 4 on the Montevideo – 25 de Agosto line during the course of 2018. This would also be covered by the Y1 railcars. The railway is, however, adamant to operate Monday to Saturday only.
(Source: Radio Uruguay)
06.01.2018
Montevideo - Victor Sudriers
State Railways AFE announced to reintroduce passenger traffic between Montevideo and Victor Sudriers about Easter 2018. A railcar of the Y1 type may operate at least twice daily on weekdays in each direction. There is also a plan to expand the offer of services between Montevideo and 25 de Agosto from 2 to 4 pairs a day.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-1)
03.10.2017
Montevideo – Paso de los Toros
The Ferrocarril Central del Uruguay project was presented in August 2017. It proposes the upgrading of the 273 km long line Montevideo – Paso de los Toros for an axle load of 22,5 tons and a maximum speed of 80 km/h for freight trains. Some sections of the line will be straightened, and populated areas will be bypassed or tunneled. The participation of private investors is envisaged as the overall cost of the project is expected to be in the region of US$ 800m to 1bn. There is considerable time pressure as the work needs to be concluded within 2 years. The Finnish firm Botnia/UPM plans to build a cellulose plant at Paso de los Toros but this is, however, hinged to a high-capacity rail link.
(Source: AFE)
Montevideo - 25 de Agosto
The improvements to the passenger trains between Montevideo and 25 de Agosto, orginally announced for September 2017, have been postponed until further notice.
(Source: AFE)
07.07.2017
Infrastructure
The state railway AFE is currently implementing a new, satellite-based traffic control system via GPS. In addition, signalling in the Montevideo area is being replaced and upgraded to CTC. Throughout the country, new warning systems will be installed at major road crossings.
(Source: AFE)
Y1 Railcars
Two of the seven Y1 railcars, which were imported second-hand from Sweden in 2017, have been repaired and refurbished in Uruguay, and test runs took place. The state Railway AFE has announced that some of these railcars will be operational in September 2017, and it is understood that this will lead to a re-design of the passenger timetable.
(Source: AFE)
Passenger traffic
As AFE hardly generates any revenue apart from local passenger traffic between Montevideo and 25 de Agosto, they have discovered special trains as a promising field of business. On 3rd June 2017 a special train operated from Montevideo to Florida to provide access to the San Cono festival, and during the winter holidays railcars operated between Montevideo and Peñarol on a number of days. Back in April 2017, a special train ran from Montevideo to Minas, bringing local tourists to the annual Virgin of Verdúm festival. During Easter week (called Semana de Turismo in Uruguay), train service was established on the lines to Sudriers, San Ramón and 25 de Agosto.
(Source: AFE)
03.07.2017
Montevideo - Peñarol
During the Winter holidays from 3 to 8 July 2017 state railways AFE operates two daily round-trips between Montevideo and Peñarol with diesel railcars, departures from Montevideo at 13.10 and 15.20 and from Peñarol at 14.40 and 16.50, round-trip fares are UY$ 85.00.
(Source: Volta o Trem 21-4)
31.12.2016
Paysandú
In conjunction with the refurbishment of Paysandú harbour on the Uruguay river, plans have leaked regarding the reconstruction of a short railway line linking Paysandú Norte and the port. This would prevent an increase of lorry traffic through the city.
(Source: Trenes del Uruguay)
Passenger traffic
State railway AFE have purchased the last available Y1 railcars from Sweden. There is a total of 7 railcars, of which six feature Fiat engines and one a Volvo engine. Only six railcars are in operational condition, the remaining one being acquired as a source of spare parts. The railcars, formerly operating in the Swedish Värmland province on regional services, have been reported in December 2016 as being prepared for their transport to Uruguay; it is, however, not yet known when exactly they will be shipped. With these units, AFE plan to enhance its current local traffic between Montevideo, Progreso and 25 de Agosto, and it is also envisaged to resume operations on the Montevideo – Victor Sudriers line. There is, on top of this, some talk about re-introducing regular passenger service between Montevideo and San Ramón.
(Source: Trenes del Uruguay)
15.06.2016
Piedra Sola – Algorta – Salto
Rehabilitation of the railway line Piedra Sola – Algorta – Salta is about to commence now.
(Source: Volta o Trem 20-4)
31.03.2016
Last Henschel Dampflok
One of the Directors of the state railway AFE, at the same time member of the Club Atlético Peñarol, has handed them the last existing Henschel steam engine in order to be plinthed outside the new Peñarol stadium. This alone stirred up the minds, but when the engine was to be transported, she couldn't be separated from her tender, and a welding torch was used to cut the coupling rod. On top of it there was some minor collision damage when they tried to move the engine with a diesel locomotive. It was eventually successful to place the engine outside the stadium and it will now be painted in black. This is the last of its class within the AFE fleet, and it could have been restored to operational condition.
(Source: CEFU)
10.04.2015
Algorta – Fray Bentos
Reconstruction of the 141 km long line from Algorta to Fray Bentos was published recently.
(Source: Volta o Trem 19-4)
11.01.2015
Tren Playero / Montevideo - 25 de Agosto
The Tren Playero from Montevideo to 25 de Agosto and back will run every Saturday from October to March.
(Source: Fahrplancenter correspondents)
20.12.2014
Montevideo - 25 de Agosto
AFE operates again its Saturday train to 25 de Agosto, departure from Montevideo is at 08.30 and departure from 25 de Agosto is at 17.40. The train will again until March 2015.
(Source: Volta o Trem 18-9)
10.10.2014
Local Traffic Las Piedras - Progreso
On the 1st October 2014, the state railway AFE has extended its local traffic from Montevideo beyond Las Piedras to Progreso. There are now 7 round-trips Monday to Friday to Progreso, operated by railcars, and one additional round-trip to Las Piedras, also by railcar. The two locomotive-hauled trains between Montevideo and 25 de Agosto keep running, however, the locomotive-hauled diagram from Montevideo to Progreso has been withdrawn in favour of the railcar.
Spare parts have been sourced for the two Alsthom locomotives hauling the trains to 25 de Agosto which may indicate that this connection will be maintained during the next few years.
(Source: Fahrplancenter correspondents)
27.07.2014
Wadloper railcars
There are rumors that AFE want to buy some Wadloper railcars which have formerly been used by TBA from Argentina. A price of US$1mio. was stated for the rundown vehicles.
(Source: Volta o Trem 18-6)
26.06.2014
AFE in crisis
The state railway AFE is in a serious financial crisis. It has asked support from the government to the tune of US$ 10 Mio in order to pay the wages of active staff and also of some 300 inactive employees.
Maintenance work is urgent as for example the replacement of sleepers on the bridge over the Río Taquarí or repair of locomotives.
It is expected that freight tonnage in 2014 will drop to about 800'000 tons from slightly over 1 Mio tons in 2013. And this happens in a time of economic upswing!
One of the mainline tracks at Sayago station is currently being relaid.
The new freight traffic operator Servicios Logísticos Ferroviarios (SLF) is supposed to start operations on 1 July 2014. AFE holds a share of 51% in SLF. Because SLF neither has its own workforce nor any rolling stock, AFE has to provide all this and will bill SLF.
(Source: Fahrplancenter correspondents)
27.03.2014
Freight traffic
The state administration for fuel, alcohol and cement (ANCAP) has spent US$ 3,75 Mio for the purchase of 22 tank wagons and the transport of liquid fuels from Montevideo to their tank farms located at Durazno and Treinta y Tres. The wagons, manufactured in Brazil, are in operation for a few months now, but there are some reports about leaks. It is, however, unknown if this is due to manufacturing faults or to problems on the spot.
(Source: Trenesdeluruguay)
01.03.2014
Montevideos Central station
Today, March 1, 2014 Uruguayans will remember the closure of Montevideos Central station 11 years ago and a German TV crew, which is currently producing a documentary about Uruguayan railways will participate on this event.
(Source: Volta o Trem 14-2)
06.02.2014
Montevideo General Artigas main station
The Ministry of Transport and the Banco Hypotecario will maintain the building of the old Montevideo General Artigas main station. No mention to use it again as a railway station.
(Source: Volta o Trem 14-1)
23.09.2013
Montevideo - Las Piedras
Increased local traffic started on 19th September 2013 between Montevideo and Las Piedras with the recently purchased second-hand Y1 railcars from Sweden. The new timetable offers 8 round-trips on weekdays. The existing, locomotive-hauled trains will keep running two daily round-trips between Montevideo and 25 de Agosto and another two round-trips between Montevideo and Progreso.
(Source: Fahrplancenter)
Trenes del Uruguay
The cooperative Trenes del Uruguay has released an appeal for donations to purchase a Budd diesel railcar from the USA. It can be viewed at http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/project-to-restore-passenger-train-service-between-montevideo-and-minas/x/4621214 or at http://www.aiffla.com/TDU5.html.
(Source: TDU)
Servicios Logísticos Ferroviarios SLF
Servicios Logísticos Ferroviarios SLF is the name of the new freight train operator which has been created by the state railway administration AFE and the National Railway Transport Authority DNTF.
(Source: Fahrplancenter)
21.09.2013
Montevideo - Las Piedras
On 19 September AFE commenced with local services bet-ween Montevideo and Las Piedras using the Swedish railcars Y1, there are 7 train pairs Monday-Friday and 5 on Saturdays. The existing services to Progreso and 25 de Agosto remain nearly unchanged.
(Source: Volta o Trem 17-5)
Montevideo - Minas
The cooperative Trenes del Uruguay started a donation cam-paign to buy an operational Budd railcar from the USA. Details can be found at http://www.aiffla.com/TDU5.html. The railcar may help to start passenger services between Montevideo and Minas.
(Source: Volta o Trem 17-5)
25.08.2013
Montevideo - Las Piedras
The 5 Y1 railcars from Sweden (Fiat/Kalmar 1979/1981) have been repainted and tested. It is planned to introduce them between Montevideo and Las Piedras from September 19, 2013 on.
(Source: Volta o Trem 17-4)
10.06.2013
Y1
The frist 3 Y1 railcars arrived from Sweden, the other two will follow shortly. In contrast to earlier announcements passen-ger traffic to Florida and Victor Sudriers will not be reinstated, the railcars may only operate services from Montevideo to Colón and Progreso.
(Source: Volta o Trem 17-3)
10.03.2013
Melo
The state railway AFE started in February 2013 dismantling the tracks at Melo station. Melo hasn't been served by freight trains for a long time, and a few years back, a stretch of several hundred metres just south of the city was converted into a footpath with benches and lanterns. However, with the lifting of tracks in the station yard the future of railways in Melo has been lost forever.
(Source: various)
17.01.2013
Passenger traffic
Some pressure from the Departamento Florida seems to have slightly changed the views about passenger traffic. However, instead of the proposed repair of the existing Fiat passenger carriages, the state railway AFE purchased 5 second-hand Fiat/Kalmar diesel railcars in Sweden for a total value of 1,3 Mio USD. The railcars are due to arrive soon in Uruguay and they should cover the existing services between Montevideo and 25 de Agosto as well as the resumption of services on the Montevideo – Florida and Montevideo – Victor Sudriers lines. Although the purchase of passenger rolling stock is welcome, it is not the full solution, simply because one of those railcars does not even have the capacity of a Fiat passenger coach. The existing service to 25 de Agosto is suffering from a lack of capacity.
(Source: Fahrplancenter)
Freight traffic
2 diesel locomotives and 40 freight wagons will be acquired for a total value of about 10 Mio USD, as there is a prospect of hauling major quantities of stone to the port of Montevideo.
(Source: Fahrplancenter)
Infrastructure
According to latest news, the track upgrade on the Chamberlain – Salto line is supposed to start during 2013.
(Source: Fahrplancenter)
23.12.2012
AFE
AFE buys 5 Y1 railcars from Sweden (built 1979-1981 by Fiat/Kalmar) to rehabilitate passenger services to Florida and Victor Sudriers. Pression from the local government at Flo-rida helped for this decision. On the other side the planned refurbishment of the Fiat coaches has been stopped.
(Source: Volta o Trem 16-8)
04.11.2012
Track Redevelopement
Removal of vegetation on the line from Algorta to Fray Bentos is currently under way, apparently to present the bad infrastructure to a Brazilian company who may repair the line.
(Source: Volta o Trem 16-7)
Rehabilitation of the international line Brazil-Uruguay reached the border station of Santana do Livramento.
(Source: Volta o Trem 16-7)
02.09.2012
Passenger traffic
At the end of May 2012, the state railway AFE withdrew passenger services to Victor Sudriers, Florida and San José. Services were reduced to two round-trips Monday to Friday between 25 de Agosto and Montevideo, supplemented by two round trips Monday to Friday between Montevideo and Progreso.
The Brill railcars are not available anymore as AFE considers them to be unsafe for carrying passengers. The two remaining Uerdinger railbuses are still used for special excursions.
AFE has advertised for spare parts for the Fiat passenger carriages and the Alsthom locomotives; both types of vehicles dating back to the first half of the 1960ies.
(Source: Fahrplancenter correspondents)
Infrastructure
Finalisation of the track upgrade works between Pintado and Rivera has been delayed as a number of flaws was detected.
Track repair and upgrade has started on the Chamberlain – Tres Arboles section, one of the most run-down stretches of the network in operation
Near La Paloma, track has been dismantled in order to build an access road to the La Paloma port. That road will be used for hauling pulp wood from the Rocha area to La Paloma port. From that point, the pulp wood will be shipped – an estimated volume of 1,8 Mio tonnes per year – to Fray Bentos. Seemingly, nobody thought about using the existing rail link Rocha – Victor Sudriers – 25 de Agosto – San José – Fray Bentos for this flow of traffic and to repair and re-open those lines.
Railway authorities insist on repairing the Montevideo – Rio Branco line (457 km), however, such measures are much more urgent on other lines.
(Source: Fahrplancenter correspondents)