Argentina - Patagonia Express - English • Great Railways

Producer NICK LERA went to Argentina in 1991 to explore one of the world's longest narrow gauge railways, 402 kilometers through sparsely inhabited sheep rearing country in Patagonia towards the Andes foothills, on a gauge of just 2ft 6inches, or 75cm. Already under threat of closure, this unique operation was down to the bare bones, with just one train per week.
Double headed on several hill sections it was a steam lover's dream, but had become hopelessly uneconomic after the sheep traffic was transferred to an improved highway. Tough little eight-coupled locomotives by both Baldwin and Henschel are seen tackling the grades in a desolate landscape while the rescue of a tourist charter after a derailment yields unique scenes of a triple-headed train steaming off into the sunset.
Public service ceased in 1993 but seasonal tourist trips on some parts of the route still serve as a reminder of past glories.
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[@riderstrano783]

Absolutely stunning, the spirit of the Narrow gauge is a universal one. From Wiscasset to Tywyn, from Durango to Darjeeling and from Rock Hill to Esquel, we are our dependent's connection to the outside world. As long as the world keeps turning, so too will our wheels, because whether it's locals, tourists, freight, livestock or even just memories, things still need to be moved where the standard gauge can't go.

[@ThomasWLalor]

Thank you for capturing this small part of world history

[@user-uc5um3io2j]

Thanks for posting this. That scenery and the train were incredible.

[@Mason58654]

Great 👍 program! 😊 Such a spectacular Argentinian 🇦🇷 line! 29:40 Interesting to see how jacks are used to place a train back on the rails.

[@user-uc5um3io2j]

Like a trip back in time. About 100 years

[@Tom-Lahaye]

A very remote line indeed, and spectacular operations. The Henschel locomotives made a good sound. Luckily this line survived over it's entire length, 2 sections, from Esquel to Nahuelpan and from El Maitén to Ñorquincó are operated as a tourist line, sadly the remainder of the line doesn't see regular trains anymore, the tourist service is known as La Trochita and there is a website with information and online booking, it's in Spanish only.

[@patricknoveski6409]

Very good news. Indeed !😅

[@xcel5203]

Thanks, fantastic footage all the way . What an incredibly remote area ; almost felt like I'd come to Scotland . It's a tenuous link for people living so far away from civilization .

[@user-vy5cf5iv9e]

Did this trip 1992, all the way Esquel to Ingenerio Jacobbi, left at 7.am arrived at Ingenerio 23.00, then caught the connection to Bahia Blanca great trip

[@Yormsane]

Wonderful episode, some real 'wild frontier' railroading going on here. Fascinating to see the broad gauge and narrow gauge tracks engineered together at 32:58.

[@LeoNiehorster]

Outstanding report. The commentary was excellent. Thank you.

[@hughwolfe1176]

Real railroading… Thank you for sharing this wonderful adventure. I’d love to see this railroad someday… Subscribed

[@davemuxik]

Intro music on point! Outro music on point!

[@finlayfraser9952]

So interesting. They certainly got a move on those little engines!

[@patricknoveski6409]

The two steam trains meeting in the high desert could have been 1860. Beautiful.😮

[@Turitea]

What a treasure. Thank you for posting.

[@MrFHLH]

Brilliant film, thanks very much.

[@davemuxik]

A broken axle bearing made this episode a bit more interesting

[@patricknoveski6409]

Very much.

[@johngray8606]

The age of steam was a great era.

[@user-gk8gg1zt7l]

Nice video, Like!

[@JanicefromKansas]

Hello from Kansas 🇺🇲

[@patricknoveski6409]

Question , Does this railway still exist? And where the heck did they find the wood for ties to build the hundreds of miles of track? If they close this line, how will people live.

[@Mason58654]

Yes it’s still there.

[@pablolena]

Now is a tourist railway.

[@patricknoveski6409]

Bravo !​@@pablolena

[@user-so1mv9po2f]

Great video! Could have done without the dog being stuffed in the tool box

[@Mason58654]

Talk about cruelty to animals.

[@patricknoveski6409]

​@Mason586they 54 They are not known to be lovers of animals. I don't agree, but at least the dog was not lunch.

[@hita1070]

Very nice, but too old, in 2024 what is shown exists, I doubt it.

[@GuyfromEarth-he2zu]

It exists! Although they had a serious derailment last year, they are still doing things, like live shows were the train is being attacked by some cowboys while you are in the train, fun stuff :)

[@pablolena]

Yes! Is a tourist railway.