As one of the primary modes of transport in history, rail transportation has helped move people, raw materials, and products since the Industrial Revolution. Widely used throughout the world, railways had their first trial in Brazil during the 1850s in Rio de Janeiro, expanding across the territory until they were gradually phased out over time. Today, we face a major challenge in keeping their memory alive.
During the mid-20th century, driven by administrations like that of Juscelino Kubitschek, highway development took center stage in Brazil's territorial expansion. Investment in the construction of major highways, alongside incentives for the automotive industry, established road transport as Brazil's primary transit method, carrying both passengers and cargo. The Brazilian government's heavy reliance on highway infrastructure nearly crippled other modes of transport, such as rail.
