Railroads in Peru: How Important Were They?

Abstract

This paper analyzes the evolution and main features of the railway system of Peru in the 19 th and early 20 th centuries. From mid-19 th century railroads were considered a promise for achieving progress. Several railroads were then built in Peru, especially in 1850-75 and in 1910-30. With the construction of railroads, Peruvians saved time in travelling and carrying freight. The faster service of railroads did not necessarily come at the cost of higher passenger fares and freight rates. Fares and rates were lower for railroads than for mules, especially for long distances. However, for some routes (especially for short distances with many curves), the traditional system of llamas remained as the lowest pecuniary cost (but also slowest) mode of transportation. Railroads in Peru: How Important Were They? 214 ResumenEste artículo analiza la evolución y las principales características del sistema ferroviario durante el siglo diecinueve y principios del siglo veinte. Desde mediados del siglo diecinueve, los ferrocarriles fueron considerados una promesa para alcanzar el progreso económico. Varios ferrocarriles fueron entonces construidos en el Perú, especialmente en 1850-1875 y en 1910-1930. Con la construcción de los ferrocarriles, los peruanos ahorraron tiempo en sus viajes y en envíos de carga. El servicio más rápido de transporte no se produjo necesariamente al costo de mayores tarifas para los pasajeros y para carga. Las tarifas para pasajeros y para carga fueron menores para los ferrocarriles que para las de las mulas, especialmente para distancias largas. Sin embargo, para algunas rutas (especialmente para rutas cortas con muchas curvas), el sistema tradicional de llamas se mantuvo como el sistema de transporte de menor costo (aunque más lento).

Too late but profitable: Railroads in Colombia during 1920–1950

“…For Brazilian railroads, Summerhill (1995) calculated a social saving of 22% of the GDP in 1913, and for Mexican railroads Coatsworth (1981) estimated a social saving of 24% of the GDP in 1910. Additionally, Zegarra (2011) concluded that that the Peruvian population saved time traveling and transporting freight at lower costs with the construction of railroads.…”

“…5 Additionally, Summerhill (1995) stated that coffee growers in Brazil benefited largely from the reduction in transportation costs due to railroad expansion. Similarly, Zegarra (2011) found that railroads in Peru had a significant impact on the growth of copper, sugar, and cotton exports, and in Chile, Guajardo (2007) points out that railways expanded markets and trade relations, linked the country to the international economy, and integrated regional and local markets into a national structure.…”