🚆 Riding Through Time and Nature: The Vitória-Minas Passenger Train
eyesonbrasil
Amsterdam, July 26th, 2025 – In a country where long-distance passenger trains are nearly extinct, the Vitória-Minas Railway (EFVM) stands as a rare gem—an enduring link between Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais, and Cariacica, in the metropolitan region of Vitória, Espírito Santo. Stretching over 664 kilometers, this daily train service offers not just transportation, but a journey through Brazil’s industrial history and breathtaking natural beauty.
🛤️ A Century of Rails: The History Behind EFVM
- Inaugurated in 1904, the EFVM was originally built to transport coffee from the Vale do Rio Doce and Espírito Santo to the coast.
- By the 1920s, the railway pivoted to support Brazil’s booming iron ore industry, connecting the mines of Itabira to the ports of Vitória.
- In 1991, the line was extended to reach Belo Horizonte, completing the full stretch we know today.
- Operated by Vale S.A., the EFVM is one of only two long-distance passenger trains still running in Brazil—the other being the Carajás Railway.
🌄 A Window to Brazil’s Natural Beauty
The EFVM isn’t just a train—it’s a moving observatory. As it winds through 42 municipalities, passengers are treated to:
- Lush Atlantic Forests and Cerrado landscapes
- The winding path of the Rio Doce, often running parallel to the tracks
- Towering rock formations, cascading waterfalls, and serene valleys
- A gradual transition from mountainous terrain to the coastal plains of Espírito Santo
Whether you’re a nature lover or a nostalgic traveler, the 13-hour journey is a slow dance through Brazil’s ecological diversity.
Related Posts:
🚉 Modern Comforts with a Vintage Soul
Despite its age, the EFVM has kept up with the times:
- New Romanian-built passenger cars introduced in 2014, with air conditioning, onboard entertainment, and accessible facilities
- Executive and economic classes, with reclining seats and onboard meals
- A restaurant car serving regional dishes like feijão tropeiro and pão de queijo
- Wi-Fi, video monitors, and even a dedicated space for neurodivergent passengers
🇧🇷 A Model for Brazil’s Rail Revival?
The EFVM’s success—transporting nearly 1 million passengers annually—raises an important question: Could Brazil revive its passenger rail network?
- The federal government is already planning six new regional rail routes to reconnect cities using abandoned tracks.
- São Paulo’s Intercidades Train project aims to link Campinas and the capital with high-speed service.
- In the Northeast, cities like João Pessoa and Natal are expanding suburban rail networks.
The EFVM proves that rail travel can be safe, scenic, and economically viable. It’s not just a relic—it’s a blueprint.
✨ Final Thoughts
In a country dominated by buses and congested highways, the Vitória-Minas train is a reminder of what Brazil once had—and what it could have again. It’s a journey through landscapes and legacies, and perhaps, a signal that the golden age of Brazilian rail travel isn’t over—it’s just waiting to be rediscovered.
Sources:
- Buses out, trains in: 6 new rail routes will replace road transport and reactivate tracks in Brazil – CPG Click Petroleo e Gas
- Intercidades Train Eixo Norte project in Brazil | Latest Railway News
- News Brazil – Friends of Latin American Railways