Largest train in Brazil: 3,5 km long, Vale train transports 40 thousand tons of ore

Carajás Railway operates the largest train in Brazil with 330 wagons, traveling 892 km between Carajás (PA) and São Luís (MA)

The Carajás Railway (EFC), operated by Vale, holds the record for the largest train in Brazil. With an impressive length of 3,5 kilometers and consisting of 330 wagons, each train transports up to 40 thousand tons of iron ore from the mines of Carajás, in Pará, to the Port of Ponta da Madeira, in São Luís, Maranhão. The operation of this gigantic railway train is essential for the flow of Brazilian mineral production and the competitiveness of the sector in the international market.

Features and operation of the largest train in Brazil

The composition is pulled by multiple locomotives distributed along the train, ensuring the efficiency of transporting heavy loads over long distances. The Carajás Railway has a total length of 892 kilometers, passing through several municipalities in the states of Pará and Maranhão, and is considered one of the most strategic railways in the country. According to the National Association of Passenger Transporters on Rails (ANPTrilhos), the railway was designed to serve both cargo and passenger transport, facilitating logistics in the North of Brazil.

The EFC control and monitoring system uses cutting-edge technology to ensure safety and operational efficiency, since the operation of Brazil's largest train requires meticulous planning to avoid impacts on the rail network and loading and unloading terminals. According to Vale, investments in rail infrastructure have allowed a gradual increase in EFC's transportation capacity, reinforcing its role in exporting iron ore to international markets, especially China.

Economic importance and logistical challenges

The operation of railway trains of this size represents an advance for Brazilian railway logistics, allowing the movement of large volumes of ore in a more sustainable and efficient way than road transport. According to the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT), the use of railways reduces logistics costs and carbon emissions, contributing to a more balanced and less polluting transport matrix.

However, one of the major challenges in operating Brazil's largest train is the railway infrastructure needed to support the weight and length of these trains. Vale has invested in doubling the length of tracks, improving automated braking systems and railway traffic control, ensuring that these trains can operate efficiently without compromising safety.

According to the mining company itself, the operation of large-scale trains was a decisive factor in increasing the competitiveness of Brazilian iron ore in the global market. Countries such as Australia and Canada also use large-scale railways to transport commodities, but Brazil stands out for the volume moved on each train.

Recognition and impact on railway engineering

The Carajás Railway has already been featured in reports by the International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA), which evaluates the world's main freight railways. According to the entity, the Brazilian railway is an example of how rail transport can be expanded to reduce costs and increase industrial productivity. The expertise acquired in operating Brazil's largest train also contributes to future railway expansion projects in the country, such as Ferrogrão and the West-East Integration Railway (FIOL).

With operational records and an infrastructure that is constantly improving, the Carajás Railway and its fleet of giant 3,5 km trains continue as one of the landmarks of Brazilian railway engineering, ensuring the growth and competitiveness of national mining.