International Railroad Discussion > FCAB Chile in September

Here are few more photos of FCAB that might be of interest.  Same trains but different locations from what I've posted recently

1.  FCAB 3213W at Los Morros.  This is one of the daily 80-car trains of copper concentrate from the BHP Spence mine near Sierra Gorda on the way to the port at Mejillones where it will be exported to Asia.  The trains have a pair of EMD GT42Acs on each end.
2.  The helpers in going away photo;  note the lead units at the far right.
3.  The train in the hole for a meet at Los Morros siding.    Photos taken September 9, 2025



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/09/25 15:31 by masterphots.

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Desesperado siding is another spot where there always seems to be something happening.  Such was the case on September 9, 2025.

1.  FCAB 1402W passing slower 3213W (another Spence mine train) at the siding.   Lead unit is one of FCAB's original EMD GR12s.
2.  3213W then got underway.   Here we see the helpers on the westbound as it heads downhill towards the port
3   Later 1455E and 3205W swap crews so everybody gets home at night.

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Driving over to the port at Mejillones I noticed a train sitting at Los Vientos siding so off I went.  The name of the siding means The Winds and is so true,  wind never seems to stop blowing.   Photos taken 9/8/25

1.   The view from the highway
2-3.   Turns out to be 2405W.  This is the non-copper contrate train from the San Cristobol mine in Bolivia.  A bit of a rarity, it was powered by three of FCAB's seven G22CU-3  They're rated at around 2450hp.   These were built in house by FCAB using hulks of Colombian Rys EMD GR12.  They have turbos and are used primarily on the line to Ollague, Chile, on the border with Bolivia.
 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/09/25 15:32 by masterphots.

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4.   After a bit, 2008E showed up and the 2405's conductor gave it a roll-by.
5.   The crew told me a train was following them so I waited a half hour or so and 1400W showed up.  Lead unit was FCAB's first road diesel, a GR12, delivered from La Grange in 1961.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/09/25 15:33 by masterphots.

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Nice stuff.   Thanks for sharing your work with us here.

Fantastic sceneries. I would luke to visit Chile someday.

Posted from Android

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

Looking up flights now... LOL

'Looks like a prototype for Mars, Alan.  Great Atacama scenes!

Greg Stadter
Phoenix, AZ

Mr Alan, fantastisk shots.

Sven

Greast Pictures!

Agree with all, great photos. Any word how the AC traction locos are doing, are they proving their worth in pulling power?

Dave

Great stuff Alan.

bogieman Wrote:
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> Agree with all, great photos. Any word how the AC
> traction locos are doing, are they proving their
> worth in pulling power?
>
> Dave

Must be fine as both Ferronor and FCAB have these units as mainline power and after eight years or so they are in daily service on the heavy trains.

Thanks, a good friend of mine, now retired, was the EMD systems engineer for this model coordinating the design.

Dave

I assume the engines are air conditioned?

tomstp Wrote:
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> I assume the engines are air conditioned?

The new units do but most crews run with open windows.  Sun is the enemy, so to speak,  hence the window shutters.  It can get quite cold up there,   even in summer.  Early mornings I often wear a hoodie.

To anyone interested- GO!
I spent an amazing few days chasing the FCAB from the coast all the way to the frontier border at Bolivia last year. Unlike anyplace in the world!
SR

A much gratitude to Alan for his help with planning.

If they just hadn't cut down all the trees to make ties to build the railroad!! The roster looks like an ORO collection
off X2200S. Nice work there sir, your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Out 

callum_out Wrote:
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> If they just hadn't cut down all the trees to make
> ties to build the railroad!! The roster looks like
> an ORO collection
> off X2200S. Nice work there sir, your efforts are
> greatly appreciated.
>
> Out 

Comment of the year.  Great for railfanning,  no pesky trees, poles or anything else to get in the way or cast shadows.  No poisonous snakes in Chile either.  Only wildlife I've ever seen in years chasing up there are the odd fox, and really big.  Who knows what these guys subsist on.  A friend was up there and sent a photo of him with a fox drinking from a water bottle he was holding.  On the line between Calama and the Bolivian border,  there are vicunas, flamingos and again,  foxes.