[as of 2015 ]

City

Founded: 18.01.1535
Population: 8 852 000 (2015)
Location: Lima

Lima is the capital and the largest city in Peru. Together with the seaport of Callao it forms a metropolis of almost 10 million people, and a home to 1/3 of Peru’s population. Founded in 1535, the city is notable for its historic legacy. Following uncontrolled urbanization, nowadays the city is surrounded by favelas. Crime expectancy is somewhat high, even though often overstated. Most commercial and cultural activity moved out from the historic Lima city center to safer suburbs of Miraflores and Barranco.

The city boasts a rich transit history. A sizeable interurban tram network used to cover Lima proper, as well as Callao, Barranco-Chorrillos and Magdalena del Mar. Interurban trams were supplemented by local tram services. Only the short heritage tram line in the suburb of Barranco survives today. In addition to a chaotic bus system, today the city offers a single Bus Rapid Transit line, and a single metro line.

Highlights from History of Lima's Area Transit Developments:

• 1851 - The steam-powered suburban line Lima - Callao opens, the 2nd railroad in Latin America;
• 1864 - A horse tram opens in Callao;
• 24.03.1878 - A horse tram opens in Lima;
• 28.07.1896 - A funicular opens in Charrillos, the first in Latin America, a single car using a side-counterweight;
• 17.02.1904 - The Lima - Barranco electric interurban line opens, the first electric tram in the area, extended to Charrillos 31.03.1904;
• 27.07.1904 - The Lima - Callao electric interurban line opens;
• 1905 - A battery-powered bus service opens in Lima, the first in the world, but lasts for 2 months only;
• 01.06.1906 - An electric tram opens in Lima;
• 01.1909 - The Lima - Magdalena del Mar electric interurban line opens;
• 1920 - Gasoline bus service begins;
• 1927 - The Charrillos funicular closes;
• 1928 - Five out of eight urban tram lines close in Lima;
• 07.1928 - The trolleybus Line 3 opens in Lima in place of the former tram line, the first trolleybus service in Latin America;
• 1930 - The Charrillos funicular briefly reopens using electric power;
• 13.06.1931- The trolleybus line closes, trolleybuses are converted to trams, the only known such case in the world;
• 18.09.1965 - Tram service stops in Lima due to a strike, trams will not run again;
• 19.10.1965 - The electric tram system officially closes.
• 28.04.1990 - The first metro line built, not opened for service; sporadic service from 2003; permanent service form 11.07.2011;
• 22.08.1997 - The heritage tram line opens in Barranco.

Special thanks for most historic data provided: Allen Morrison

Heritage Tramway Line

Operator: Museo de la Electricidad
Network map: 2015

Tram line opened: 22.08.1997
Track length: 0,6 km. (one-way)
Track gauge: 1 435 mm.
Number of routes: 1
Number of passenger vehicles: 1
Hours of operation: Tuesday - Sunday, 9:00 - 17:00 (2014)

The museum of electricity and the historic replica tram are operated by Electroperú S.A., the Peru's state electricity supplier. The museum is located in the suburb of Barranco, a part of metropolitan Lima. The heritage service uses a segment of the surviving tram track, operated in the original service between 1907-1965. The single tram is parked outside the museum, and operates on demand. The service is usually not volunteered unless for a sizeable group of visitors, however, readily provided if inquired on site. The round trip ticket costs 2 soles.

Rolling Stock

Società Ernesto Breda : 1 (1920s)

The single car 97 was rebuilt as a replica in 1997 by local enthusiasts from a carcass found at a scrap yard. Work was done with support by Electrolima, the state electricity supplier, later a part of Electroperú S.A. The body of the car is original, built by Società Ernesto Breda in Milan in the 1920s. At least 66 two-axle and 36 four-axle Italian cars of this type were delivered to Lima starting from 1921. The interior is close to the original, with actual original seats. The car base frame came from an old railroad car. The mechanical equipment and a pantograph were built in house. The French electric propulsion equipment was installed, which produces an unnatural chirping noise upon acceleration. The car’s controller is reduced to a small dial button. The car number reflects the year tram was rebuilt. The original car number is unknown.

Photos

Links

Detailed pages on Lima Trams by Allen Morrison:
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4