After 20 Years Abandoned, 1936 Maria Fumaça of Madeira-Mamoré Railway Returns to Whistle on the Tracks During Porto Velho's 111th Anniversary

After 20 Years Abandoned, 1936 Maria Fumaça of Madeira-Mamoré Railway Returns to Whistle on the Tracks During Porto Velho’s 111th Anniversary

Written by Maria Heloisa Barbosa Borges

Published on 02/10/2025 at 16:58

A Maria Fumaça de 1936 volta à ferrovia Madeira-Mamoré em Porto Velho após 20 anos, locomotiva restaurada que resgata história e impulsiona turismo.

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Historic Locomotive of the Madeira-Mamoré Railway Has Been Restored and Returns to the Tracks as a Cultural and Tourist Symbol of the Capital of Rondônia.

The Maria Fumaça of 1936 has returned to bring life to the tracks of the Madeira-Mamoré Railway in Porto Velho (RO), after two decades of abandonment. The locomotive, a rare piece of Brazilian railway historical heritage, was restored and gained prominence in the celebrations of the 111 years of the capital of Rondônia.

According to the portal Turismo.ig, the recovery project involved eight professionals, including three engineers from the Brazilian Association of Railway Preservation (ABPF), responsible for tourist trains in several regions of the country. The public was able to hear the traditional whistle of the locomotive once again, even though it was on a symbolic 50-meter route, operated only by one engineer and the fireman in charge of the boiler.

The Recovery of the Maria Fumaça

The restoration process of the Maria Fumaça of 1936 began in August of this year and required almost complete disassembly of the locomotive.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Plans for the Future of the Railway

The City Hall of Porto Velho plans to reactivate the 8 km tourist ride between the capital and the district of Santo Antônio, where the Marechal Rondon Museum is located.

This route, which was suspended in 1999, depends on the recovery of sections of the railway damaged by floods in 2014.

Built between 1907 and 1912, the Madeira-Mamoré Railway is known as the “Death Railway” due to the extreme conditions faced by workers at the time.

Even so, it became a symbol of integration and development in the region, helping to transport rubber produced in Brazil and Bolivia.

Tourism and Historical Preservation

After 20 years abandoned, Maria Fumaça of 1936 from the Madeira-Mamoré Railway returns to whistle on the tracks during the 111 years of Porto Velho — **Maria Fumaça of 1936**

In addition to the Maria Fumaça, the railway complex in Porto Velho offers free rides on a diesel-powered railcar.

The trip covers 800 meters within the railway yard and accommodates up to 11 passengers at a time, operating on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

The space is also set to receive new tourist attractions, such as the installation of a restaurant in the roundhouse, strengthening the cultural vocation of the area.

The return of the Maria Fumaça of 1936 is more than just a restoration of historical heritage: it is also a strategic step to enhance tourism in Rondônia and reinforce the cultural identity of Porto Velho.

The return of the locomotive to the tracks rekindles memories of a time when the railway was essential for the Amazon region.

More than just a ride, it is about keeping alive the historical heritage of Porto Velho.

And you, do you believe that initiatives like this can boost tourism and strengthen cultural preservation in Brazil? Or do you think the investment should have another destination? Leave your opinion in the comments, we want to hear from those who experience this in practice.

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After 20 Years Abandoned, 1936 Maria Fumaça of Madeira-Mamoré Railway Returns to Whistle on the Tracks During Porto Velho’s 111th Anniversary

Historic Locomotive of the Madeira-Mamoré Railway Has Been Restored and Returns to the Tracks as a Cultural and Tourist Symbol of the Capital of Rondônia.

The Recovery of the Maria Fumaça

Plans for the Future of the Railway

Tourism and Historical Preservation

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After 20 Years Abandoned, 1936 Maria Fumaça of Madeira-Mamoré Railway Returns to Whistle on the Tracks During Porto Velho’s 111th Anniversary

Historic Locomotive of the Madeira-Mamoré Railway Has Been Restored and Returns to the Tracks as a Cultural and Tourist Symbol of the Capital of Rondônia.

The Recovery of the Maria Fumaça

Plans for the Future of the Railway

Tourism and Historical Preservation

A giant printer called the “Ferrari” of concrete has landed in Latin America and can already build a 120-square-meter house in just 48 hours, making the traditional construction site look like something from the last century.

Brazil will harvest a record crop of up to 357 million tons of grains, but it does not have the capacity to store a large part of it. The storage deficit has reached the highest level in history and is equivalent to almost the entire production of Argentina.

Four times faster than the Concorde, capable of taking passengers from New York to London in less than an hour at Mach 5.5, and with an engine that switches from turbojet to ramjet mid-flight at Mach 3.5, the Hermeus Quarterhorse went from paper to its first flight in just 19 months.

Under nearly 2 kilometers of ice in Antarctica, scientists have discovered an ancient landscape sculpted by rivers up to 60 million years ago, the size of Wales, preserved as a time capsule that could help predict the advance of ice towards the ocean.

She started by collecting oyster shells from restaurants and today she has already accumulated more than 10 tons to restore reefs, recover coastal habitats, and demonstrate how a common waste can become a tool for ocean conservation.

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