OLD PATAGONIAN EXPRESS
This legendary steamer,
nicknamed La Trochita for its narrow-gauge
track of only 75 cm, was inaugurated in 1945. Running 402 km from
Ingeniero Jacobacci in Argentina's Río Negro province south to Esquel in Chubut province, it
took an arduous 23 years to complete.
For decades La Trochita was vital to northern
Patagonia in the transport of livestock, wool, fruits, and supplies, until
succumbing to rival truck transportation and government deficits. In 1994
the abandoned train was revitalized, and is now a popular tourist attraction
running between the El Maitén maintenance yard in northern Chubut and
Esquel 165 kms to the south. To ride the Old Patagonian Express is an
adventure of a lifetime!
Photographs © Walt Clayton III
All Rights Reserved
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A LARGER VIEW
|
|
|
|
La Trochita in all its glory
|
|
|
|
La Trochita leaves El Maitén yard
|
|
|
|
Engine #16 plaque
|
|
|
|
Esquel yard
|
|
|
|
Departing Esquel
|
|
|
|
|
|
Engine drive mechanism
|
|
|
|
La Trochita idles at Nahuel Pan
|
|
|
|
Viejo Expreso Patagónico lettering on coal bunker
|
|
|
|
Abandoned railroad worker's hut
|
|
|
|
Northbound to El Maitén
|
|
|
| 
