FAQ

It is a Heritage Educational Program that encompasses a well-structured, diversified, and integrated set of powerful actions focused on the field of heritage education and on the actions to promote an increase in tourism in the region of Ouro Preto and Mariana.

In order to accomplish that, Trem da Vale has revitalized the18-kilometer railway stretch that runs between the two cities and brought back the traditional steam locomotive to the tracks. All four stations along the way – Ouro Preto, Vitorino Dias, Passagem de Mariana, and Mariana - were then restored and improved.

In its two years of existence, the Trem da Vale Heritage Educational Program has provided service to around 370 thousand people, through its courses, workshops, events, and other activities, in addition to its train service and visits to the stations’ cultural spaces.

Furthermore, it has directly employed 100 professionals – all of whom interact directly or indirectly with the Program’s actions, which are based on promoting the historical-cultural legacy of the region’s towns.

The stations along the route are: Ouro Preto, Vitorino Dias, Passagem de Mariana, and Mariana. However, stops are made only at Ouro Preto and Mariana Stations.

Ouro Preto was chosen because it is a World Heritage Site and Mariana was the state’s first capital. Both have played a relevant role in the formation of the Brazilian identity.

The Trem da Vale Program is a iniciative of Fundação Vale (Vale Foundation) in partnership with Ferrovia Centro-Atlântica (FCA), created, planned and executed by Santa Rosa Bureau Cultural. The Program is approved by the Ministry of Culture, through the Federal Law of Incentive to Culture, and ensured by the Municipal Governments of Ouro Preto and Mariana, the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), and the Brazilian Association of Railway Preservation (ABPF).

The Fundação Vale (Vale Foundation) contributes, in an integrated manner, to the economic, environmental, and social development of the territories where it operates, thereby strengthening the communities’ social capital and respecting the local cultural identities.

The Trem da Vale Program was launched on May 5th, 2006.

The steam locomotive runs on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays

Departure from Mariana Station: 9 AM and 2 PM

Departure from Ouro Preto Station: 11 AM and 4 PM

The trips last approximately one hour.

Full fare: R$ 18, 00 one-way and R$ 30, 00 round-trip.

Half-fare: R$ 9, 00 one-way and R$ 15, 00 round-trip.

Children up to 5 years-old riding on their parents’ laps do not pay. Children from 6 to 10 pay half-fare.

Children between the ages of 6 and 10, adults 60 and older, and students, by showing their student ID cards within the validity period.

Travel agencies are given one courtesy ticket for every 20 tickets sold.

Tour guides licensed by Embratur, Agtop, and Agturb are entitled to a courtesy ticket upon presenting their cards within the validity period.

Reservations can be made for groups of more than 10 people. Please call (31) 3557-3844 and book your trip. Tickets should be picked up 30 minutes before the train departure.

Free tickets are made available on Thursdays for students of participating schools in the Heritage Educational Program and for students from Ouro Preto and Mariana municipal schools served by the Vale Community Program.

Employees of Vale, Fundação Vale, and Ferrovia Centro-Atlântica and their direct dependents pay 50% of the regular ticket price.

• These tickets must be purchased directly at the stations ticket offices.
• Employees and their dependents must present both their identification and AMS cards.

The granting of courtesy tickets to press professionals is the responsibility of Vale’s Press Agent. Requests should be directed to Maria Clara (luciana.santos@vale.com).

All requests for these kinds of courtesies should be directed to Maria Clara (luciana.santos@vale.com).

The Trem da Vale Heritage Educational Program aims to contribute to the appreciation of the historical, cultural, and social heritage of the state of Minas Gerais, for the construction of the identity, as well as for the consolidation of the assets based on citizenship and education. The educational and cultural programs were designed to promote consistent activities focused on social and cultural inclusion. The programs are:

Vale Conhecer

This is a set of actions related to preservation, which is inserted into the process of learning about concepts of heritage, cultural, and natural education by teachers or students aimed at incorporating values deemed necessary for unleashing individual and/or collective actions to preserve cultural and natural assets. The program Vale Conhecer includes: Heritage Education for the School Community and its branches; Education in Different Areas and Perspectives, which includes, for example, the Reading Incentive Plan, at Mariana Station Library.

Vale Promover

This program focuses on advertising the region’s heritage in all of its aspects, highlighting local richness and unique qualities. It is based on the creation of diversified informative, educational, and interpretative tools for preserving the natural and cultural heritage, such as the Diversified Circuits, Invigoration in Stations and on the Train, Team Formation and Development as well as Educational Editorial production.

Vale Registrar

This is an oral history subprogram at Mariana and Ouro Preto stations, devoted to the collection and communication of life histories related, in the first phase, to the program’s main themes: railway and mining. In addition to the narratives recording rooms, Vale Registrar provides places for intergenerational mingling, where people of different ages can exchange experiences and recollections about the region and its heritage.

Visit our web site and get more information about Trem da Vale Heritage Educational Program.