Instituto Autónomo de Ferrocarriles del Estado
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Planned mainly unbuilt sections of the IAFE network before 1999

IAFE, Instituto Autónomo de Ferrocariles del Estado (Independent State Railways Institution) is a state-run organization of Venezuela that manages the railway systems of the country. Its headquarters are located in Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.

According to the 1999 Constitution its renovation is a national priority, with new infrastructure being added, including the first new above-ground train line constructed in Venezuela for more than 70 years, the Ezequiel Zamora Mass Transportation System inaugurated on October 15, 2006 by President Hugo Chávez.

Railway Network

The Venezuelan network includes 682 km of rail in standard gauge ^[1]. The network covers the populated and production areas in the country, and is managed by IAFE under various Regional Development Plans. There are also connections between Colombia and Brazil that link to the other countries of South America, although traffic in the border areas are affected by foreign policy and defence strategy.

IAFE is the sole operator of trains in Venezuela, however, they have created various railway names assigned to different regions throughout the country.

Historically, much of the original Venezuelan network was designed in the 19th century in the Federalist period and under the administration of Antonio Guzmán Blanco, in order to open up the country for trade and earn foreign revenues. However, the first licenses were signed and revoked nine times before the first stretch was operating^[2]. The first lines connected Caracas to its port of La Guaira and then Valencia in the 1870s-80s. Notable engineers associated with its original development include: John Grover and Robert Fairlie. Some of the later lines were designed by William A. Welch and Thomas Kavanagh (Caracas subway).

Rail transport in Venezuela was neglected and went into a major decline from the 1950s, with bus and road transport taking its place, just Caracas maintaining its 51 km of subway system and local railway.

The 1999 Constitution was a signal for a major reinvestment in the infrastructure of the state. Much of the renovation of the current Venezuelan railway network is still at the planning stage, with some already constructed and the rest to be built over a period of about 30 years.

In May 2007 a maglev train was proposed to link Caracas to La Guaira and Simón Bolívar International Airport. A route is being studied prior to obtaining funding.^[4]

Operational

Fully Updated

Caracas - Cúa Branch

After 70 years without major improvements to the Venezuelan railway system the first of an ambitious plan that proposes many new lines, in particular, the Caracas - Cúa one of many Tuy Valley cities a distance of 41 km (25 miles) was opened for public service on October 15, 2006.

The route is part of the Ezequiel Zamora railway axis starts from Caracas and ends in Cúa Miranda State. The main terminal is located next to the Caracas Metro (subway) line 3 La Rinconada Terminal Station.

This short North-South line can be passenger travelled in approximately, 30 minutes, the following are the names of the 4 stations and the estimated travel time from Caracas and then the additional time to the next station. Also there is a delay time before the train restarts the trip which can be adjusted by management policy.

Modernization/Reconstruction

Puerto Cabello - Yaritagua - Barquisimeto Branch

The main branch of the Simón Bolívar railway axis is a 177 km (106 miles) east-west line where a full upgrade/restoration is in progress with a projected completion set for then end of 2010. This line connects Carabobo State, Yaracuy State and Lara State. The stations are as follows:

• Puerto Cabello, Carabobo State;
• Morón, Carabobo State;
• San Felipe, Yaracuy State;
• Urama, Yaracuy State;
• Chivacoa, Yaracuy State;
• Yaritagua, Yaracuy State and;
• Barquisimeto, Lara State.

Yaritagua - Acarigua Branch

Another branch of the Simón Bolívar railway axis is a 113 km (69 miles) north-south line connection between the Yaritagua, Yaracuy State, Acarigua, Portuguesa State where a full upgrade restoration is in progress.

San Juan de Los Morros - San Fernando de Apure Branch

A 252 km (150 miles) north-south line where a full upgrade/restoration is in progress with a projected completion set for then end of 2010. This line connects Guarico State and Apure State.

Services

The railway provides both freight and passenger service.

Freight

Between Puerto Cabello and Barquisimeto movement of loads over 3 million tons per month have been exceeded.

Passenger

As of July 16, 2007 passenger service is provided only between the stations on the Caracas-Cúa Branch. The following table shows the train schedule:

Cúa Station, Commuter short distance Train

There is no Sunday service and all times are subject to change depending on special events, system improvements and the decisions the managers may make.

Construction

Work in Progress

Puerto Cabello - La Encrucijada Branch

Another part of the Ezequiel Zamora railway axis has 108 km (65 miles) under construction is between the sea port city of Puerto Cabello Carabobo State and crossroads town of La Encrucijada Aragua State. 14 tunnels including the 7.8 km (4.9 miles) Bárbula Tunnel longest in South America and many bridges are required to connect between the various stations along this line. Construction has proceeded as planned with an opening date set for December 2011.

The new stations along the dominately east-west line under construction are found in

• La Encrucijada, Aragua State;
• Maracay, Aragua State;
• Mariara, Carabobo State;
• San Joaquín, Carabobo State;
• *San Diego, Carabobo State;
• *Naguanagua, Carabobo State;
• Puerto Cabello, Carabobo State

(*)These 2 are suburban cities of Valencia. Also only between the Naguanagua Station and Terminal Puerto Cabello Station the route has dramatically changed to a north-south direction. Also the terminal in La Encrucijada will provide easy access to the users from Cagua, Aragua State.

Chaguaramas - Las Mercedes - Cabruta - Caicara del Orinoco Branch

Another branch north-south line 201 km (120 miles) found mainly in Guarico State that will cross the Orinoco River and enter the Bolívar State.

Maracaibo - Sabana de Mendoza Branch

This 233 km (140 miles) will start in the capital city of Maracaibo Zulia State nearby the Maracaibo Metro (subway) station. The line will cross the mouth of Lake Maracaibo in a combination tunnel/bridge under construction in an east-west direction and after the El Tablazo stop the line follows a north-north-west to south-south-east direction. The stations are as follows:

• Maracaibo, Zulia State;
• El Tablazo, Zulia State;
• Santa Rita, Zulia State;
• Cabimas, Zulia State;
• Ciudad Ojeda, Zulia State;
• Lagunillas, Zulia State;
• Bachaquero, Zulia State;
• Mene Grande, Zulia State;
• Sabana de Mendoza, Trujillo State.

Puerto Ordaz - Maturín - Manicuare Branch

This 320 km (200 miles) route will start from Ciudad Guyana Bolívar State, the Puerto Ordaz section and cross the Orinoco River to go south-north to reach Maturín, Monagas State and continue till it reaches the Sucre State where the line will run east-west until it reaches the deep sea water port of Manicuare.

Acarigua - Turén Branch

The completion of an extension of the Simón Bolívar railway axis is a 45 km (30 miles) north-south line connection between Acarigua, and Turén.

Tinaco – Anaco Branch

The first phase 468 km (272 miles) is part of the North Llanero railway axis (northern plains) an east-west line that will provide service among the following cities:

• Anaco, Anzoátegui State;
• Zaraza, Guárico State;
• Valle de la Pascua, Guárico State;
• El Sombrero, Guárico State;
• Dos Caminos, Guárico State;
• Tinaco, Cojedes State,

and work to be completed by 2012.

Planning/design stage

La Encrucijada - Cúa Branch

The completion of the connection from La Encrucijada to the Tuy Valley will be made at a later date.

Sabana de Mendoza - Barquisimeto Branch

A follow-up future east-west phase will connect Sabana de Mendoza with Barquisimeto Lara State.

San Juan de Los Morros – La Encrucijada Branch

Future expansion includes a north-south connection between San Juan de Los Morros and La Encrucijada Station.

Anaco - Maturín Branch

A separate phase for the North Llanero railway axis to be constructed at a later date will connect in an east-west direction Maturín Monagas State with Anaco Anzoátegui State.

Tinaco – San Cristóbal Branch

The full 1100 km (660 miles) route, the North Llanero railway axis will be completed at a later date and will add services among the additional following cities:

• San Carlos, Cojedes State;
• Acarigua, Portuguesa State;
• Guanare, Portuguesa State;
• Sabaneta, Barinas State;
• Barinas, Barinas State;
• Barinitas, Barinas State;
• San Rafael del Piñal, Táchira State;
• San Cristóbal, Táchira State.

Caicara - Puerto Ayacucho Branch

This north-south branch will connect Bolívar state to Amazonas State although a possible alternative would be to join San Fernando de Apure to Puerto Ayacucho.

San Fernando de Apure - Ciudad Bolívar - Ciudad Guayana - Tucupita Branch

This east-west route will connect Apure State, Guarico State, Bolivar State, Anzoategui State, Monagas State and Delta Amacuro State. Also this line will have stops in Cabruta and Caicara.

Caracas – La Guaira Branch

This dominately north-south route 50 km (30 miles) joining Federal District to Vargas State will provide access to and from Caracas and its International/National Airports and one of its major Seaports.

• Caracas (La Rinconada)
• Maiquetía Airport
• La Guaira Seaport

completion of this line is expected within 5 years after fund approval.

Similar Organizations

• RENFE (Spanish)
• SNCF (French)
• SNCB (Belgian)
• NS (Netherlands)
• the former British Rail (United Kingdom)
• Deutsche Bahn AG (German)
• Japan Railway (Japanese)
• Korail (South Korean)
• Italian State Railways (Italian)
• Norges Statsbaner (Norwegian)

See also

• Transport in Venezuela

References

External links

• IAFE Website (Spanish)