Peru operates a diverse rail network including the highest standard gauge railway in the world (Central Andean Railway), tourist services to Machu Picchu, and urban rail in Lima.
Network Overview
| Parameter |
Statistics |
Notes |
| Total Track Length |
1,939.7 km |
Active network |
| Standard Gauge |
1,730.6 km |
1,435mm |
| Narrow Gauge |
209.1 km |
914mm |
| Electrified Lines |
34 km |
Lima Metro |
| Highest Point |
4,781m |
Galera tunnel |
| International Connections |
0 |
Planned with Bolivia |
Major Systems
Main Lines
| Route |
Length (km) |
Gauge |
Operator |
Usage |
| Central Railway |
535 |
1,435mm |
Ferrocarril Central |
Freight/Passenger |
| Southern Railway |
940 |
1,435mm |
PeruRail/Inca Rail |
Mixed |
| Huancayo-Huancavelica |
128.7 |
914mm |
Government |
Passenger |
| Lima Metro Line 1 |
34 |
1,435mm |
Metro de Lima |
Urban |
Technical Parameters
Track Infrastructure
| Parameter |
Central/Southern |
Metro |
Narrow Gauge |
| Track Gauge |
1,435mm |
1,435mm |
914mm |
| Max Gradient |
4.1% |
3% |
3.5% |
| Min Curve Radius |
175m |
200m |
100m |
| Power Supply |
Diesel |
1.5kV DC |
Diesel |
| Max Axle Load |
25 tonnes |
17 tonnes |
16 tonnes |
Rolling Stock
Main Line Fleet
| Type |
Quantity |
Manufacturer |
Usage |
Operator |
| GE C39-8 |
15 |
General Electric |
Freight |
FCCA |
| ALCo DL560 |
8 |
ALCo |
Mixed |
PeruRail |
| Tourist Cars |
35 |
Various |
Tourism |
Multiple |
| Freight Wagons |
600+ |
Various |
Freight |
Multiple |
Urban Rail Fleet
| Type |
Quantity |
Manufacturer |
Capacity |
Line |
| Alstom Metro |
24 |
Alstom |
1,200 |
Line 1 |
| New Metro* |
35 |
Various |
1,200 |
Line 2 |
*Under construction
Operations
Passenger Services
| Service |
Frequency |
Journey Time |
Annual Passengers |
| Lima Metro L1 |
6 min peak |
N/A |
120M |
| Cusco-Machu Picchu |
Multiple daily |
3.5h |
2.5M |
| Huancayo-Huancavelica |
Daily |
6h |
200,000 |
Freight Traffic
| Commodity |
Annual Volume (M tonnes) |
Route |
Trend |
| Minerals |
2.5 |
Central |
Growing |
| Metals |
1.2 |
Southern |
Stable |
| General Cargo |
0.8 |
Various |
Growing |
Infrastructure Development
Current Projects (2025-2027)
| Project |
Budget (USD B) |
Status |
Completion |
| Lima Metro L2 |
5.8 |
Construction |
2026 |
| Central Railway Upgrade |
0.8 |
Ongoing |
2027 |
| Highland Railway Study |
0.2 |
Planning |
2026 |
Future Plans (2027-2030)
| Project |
Estimated Cost (USD B) |
Status |
Notes |
| Lima Metro L3&4 |
8.5 |
Planning |
Urban expansion |
| Bolivia Connection |
1.2 |
Study |
International |
| Tourist Route Enhancement |
0.5 |
Proposed |
Capacity increase |
Environmental Initiatives
Sustainability Goals
| Initiative |
Target |
Timeline |
Status |
| CO2 Reduction |
-30% |
2030 |
In progress |
| Electric Traction |
+40% |
2028 |
Planning |
| Solar Power |
25% usage |
2027 |
Study phase |
Economic Impact
Employment
| Sector |
Direct Jobs |
Indirect Jobs |
| Operations |
3,500 |
10,500 |
| Maintenance |
1,800 |
5,400 |
| Tourism Services |
2,200 |
6,600 |
Special Features
High Altitude Operations
| Aspect |
Challenge |
Solution |
| Oxygen Levels |
Critical |
Specialized equipment |
| Weather |
Severe |
Protection systems |
| Gradient |
Extreme |
Special locomotives |
| Maintenance |
Complex |
Specialized training |
Tourism Integration
Heritage Routes
| Route |
Service Type |
Annual Passengers |
Features |
| Hiram Bingham |
Luxury |
80,000 |
Machu Picchu |
| Andean Explorer |
Luxury |
15,000 |
Cusco-Puno |
| Vistadome |
Premium |
400,000 |
Sacred Valley |
