Tren Turístico de la Sabana

Company that runs heritage trains in Bogota, Colombia

The Tren Turístico de la Sabana or Turistren runs heritage trains in Bogota, Colombia. The company runs steam trains from Bogota (Sabana railway station) to Parque and Zipaquira.

History

The idea of tourist trains with steam locomotives in Bogota was born 1982. When the National Railways in Colombia stopped running trains in 1990, people with knowledge of the railway, started to renovate a steam locomotive and carriages for a tourist railway. In 1992, the private company "Turistren Ltda" was founded by four friends, and a contract with the National Railways was made to use the tracks for running tourist trains. In 1993, railway tours started with steam locomotives under the name "Tren Turístico de la Sabana".

Route

The 3 ft (914 mm) gauge line runs up the central reservation of Carrera 9, with numerous level crossings at the intersections.

The idea has been discussed of upgrading the line to provide commuter services.

Gallery

Sabana railway station in Bogota
Steam train at Zipaquira station
Steam engine 85 shunting stock at La Sabana station, Bogota on 2 January 2011
Steam Loco 75 at head of the Tourist Train in Bogota La Sabana station on 2 January 2011
Diesel railcar at La Sabana station, Bogota on 2 January 2011
Static train coach exhibition at Zipaquira station on 2 January 2011
Nemocon station being refurbished on 2 January 2011