International Railroad Discussion > Narrow gauge action in São Félix BA ( Brazil)

Hi   there is an amazing place for train watching in Bahia state, Brazil.  The towns of Cachoeira and São Félix are separated by Paraguaçú river. In the end of 1800's each town were served by different railroads that ended in station buildings near the river. A road bridge was also built in the same era, but the railroads  had no intention to cross it. Circa 1940's, the two railtoads were taken over by a company called VFFLB and the new company decided to connect the two lines using the bridge. But there was a problem: the tracks and the stations are not alingned to the bridge to allow the trains cross ir directly. So, a kind of spur was built to switch the trains that needed to cross the river. This switching operation last until the end of 2000's, when fca railroad - the new owner of those tracks - decided to open a gate in the wall of Cachoeira station to allow the trains pass through it. My friend Rony visited São Félix and Cachoeira last week and took some photos and videos to us. Enjoy. 
 

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,




Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/20 03:01 by pedrop.

1) São Félix station. Nowadays the tracks are located at the side of the building, but in the past they ended inside the gare.
2 - 3) The road/railroad bridge.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

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4) Cachoeira station and the two doors: 1 - the old door used to do the the switching to enter the bridge. 2 - the modern door that allow the train go directly to the bridge without the need of switching operations.
5) VLI train going through door 2.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/20 03:02 by pedrop.

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6) The train passing through the Cachoeira station by door 2.
7) A train passing at the side of São Felix station.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/20 03:04 by pedrop.

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8) Following the U20C in downtown São Félix at midnight.
9) Running through Cachoeira station at night.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

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10) Following the DPU units of a fuel train.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

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11) Following the DPUs on the bridge.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/20 03:07 by pedrop.

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12) Followed by a train on the bridge. It looks dangerous, but during the day light it is common to see cars entering the  bridge before the trains.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/20 03:07 by pedrop.

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13) After leave São Félix,  the tracks climb a steep grande until the tunnel shown here.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/20 03:08 by pedrop.

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14) Cachoeira in the morning. 

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

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Absolutely incredible video !  What a cool operation. Thanks for sharing.

15) Fuel train at night leaving Cachoeira.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

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16) Rony showing us  the area of the old spur in Cachoeira.

 

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/04/20 17:14 by pedrop.

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Thats charming!

BTW, here it is the Google position of São Félix 
São Félix São Félix - BA https://maps.app.goo.gl/1nghLA4L8qsnrDbd6

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

17) Rony explaining how the trains ended inside the São Félix  station in the past and pass outside it nowadays  - in direction of the bridge.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

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18 - 19) Tracks in São Félix. 
20) The tracks through Cachoeira station.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

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21) In this view in Instagram we can see the old spur in Cachoeira. The trains exiting Door 1 in the station used the tracks coming to foreground and than go backwards to the bridge to the left.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/04/20 17:36 by pedrop.

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Very COOL videos Pedro! You really put on a great video show of a very interesting area and depot.

Larry

Wow! Fantastic series for morning coffee!   Just acquired Portugueses/English translation book. I’m practicing for my future railfan trip when the world gets normal again.
CM80.46