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Historical itinerary in the South of Minas features a 1927 steam locomotive, Mantiqueira landscapes, live music, and a stop in Soledade de Minas, in a tourist trip that preserves part of Brazilian railway memory and enhances the travel experience.
The Trem das Águas connects São Lourenço to Soledade de Minas, in the South of Minas Gerais, in a tourist trip operated by the South of Minas Regional of the Brazilian Association of Railway Preservation.
With 10 km each way, the trip totals 20 km round trip and lasts about two hours, also considering the stop made by passengers in Soledade.
The attraction begins at the central station of São Lourenço, at km 80 of the old Minas & Rio Railway, and continues to Soledade de Minas, at km 90.
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Along the route, the composition recovers part of the railway atmosphere of the early 20th century, combining a steam locomotive, old cars, and a slower pace.
Trem das Águas in São Lourenço
Used in the tourist trip, the locomotive is an American steam engine from 1927, of the Mikado type, identified by ABPF as Locomotive 1424.
The composition can gather old passenger cars, mostly made of wood, as well as carbon steel cars preserved for tourist operation.
Although the route is short, the experience concentrates elements that help explain the demand for the trip among visitors to the South of Minas.
On the way, the journey takes about 40 minutes; then, there is a stop of approximately 40 minutes in Soledade de Minas before returning to São Lourenço.
During the journey, guitarists and accordionists entertain passengers with popular music, according to official information from Trem das Águas.
With this combination, the experience combines rural landscape, railway memory, and musical tradition associated with the interior of Minas.
Tour through the Mantiqueira Mountains
After leaving São Lourenço, the train follows along the Rio Verde and crosses rural sections of the South of Minas.
The route also passes through the Parada Ramon region, at km 85, before entering a narrow valley near the river.
As the speed is low, passengers can better observe the landscape, small properties, and vegetation along the railway.
More than just conventional transportation, the ride has a tourist proposal and a direct connection with railway preservation.
Upon arrival in Soledade de Minas, visitors find a craft fair and local delicacies right after disembarking.
The stop allows for a walk around the station, to watch the movement of the train, and to enjoy typical products before the return journey.
Restaurant Car on the Trem das Águas
Among the ride options, the Trem das Águas offers the experience of the restaurant car, presented as a journey through the flavors of Minas.
This option includes local cuisine during the journey between São Lourenço and Soledade de Minas, with service aimed at those who want a more complete experience.
According to the official website of the ride, the restaurant car is operated by a partner and requires advance booking.
Meals are not included in first and second class tickets, an important point for those planning the trip in advance.
Regular departures occur on weekends, holidays, and holiday bridges, with schedules defined by the tourist operation.
On Saturdays, departures are at 10 am and 2:30 pm; on Sundays, the regular departure is at 10 am, with holiday programming subject to confirmation.
To avoid unforeseen events, advance purchase is recommended, as seat availability is not guaranteed without a reservation.
The ticket office operates at the São Lourenço railway station, located at Praça Ismael de Souza, nº 9, in the city center.
Railway Route in Southern Minas
On the map of Minas Gerais railway tourism, the ride expands options beyond the state’s most well-known routes.
Instead of long distances, the proposal of the Trem das Águas is the combination of preserved heritage, live music, a stop at a historic station, and contact with the Mantiqueira landscape.
For those traveling from Belo Horizonte or other regions of Minas Gerais, São Lourenço often appears as a weekend destination.
The city is part of the tourist circuit linked to mineral waters and maintains the train as one of the most well-known experiences for visitors.
Besides the tourist operation, ABPF associates the ride with the preservation of the historical railway material used in the train.
The entity informs that part of the resources obtained from the activity is applied to the restoration of rolling stock and the safety of train use.
With 20 km in total, about two hours of ride, and a 1927 locomotive in tourist operation, the Trem das Águas remains a short route but loaded with railway memory in Southern Minas.
For many visitors, the main attraction is not just the destination, but how the journey transforms the path into part of the experience.
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