Old Patagonian Express

Bob Yarger · **Posted:** Tue Mar 23, 2004 3:25 pm

Just a photo of one of the BLW 2-8-2s taken in 1987. Haven't heard much on this line lately. Still running for tourists?

http://abpr2.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?august03/08-13-03/Patagonia-001-FA_20_at_Jacobazzi_1-1987.jpg
ryarger@rypn.org

Bob Yarger · **Posted:** Tue Mar 23, 2004 3:27 pm

El Maiten shops.

http://abpr2.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?august03/08-13-03/Patagonia-004-FA_narrow_gauge_shops-interior_1987.jpg
ryarger@rypn.org

Steve Singer · **Posted:** Tue Mar 23, 2004 3:29 pm

> Just a photo of one of the BLW 2-8-2s taken
> in 1987. Haven't heard much on this line
> lately. Still running for tourists?
Yes

bas1210@comcast.net

Bob Yarger · **Posted:** Tue Mar 23, 2004 3:30 pm

German 2-8-2. Colorado setting.

http://abpr2.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?august03/08-13-03/Patagonia-002-FA_34_at_Jacobazzi_1986.jpg
ryarger@rypn.org

steve singer · **Posted:** Tue Mar 23, 2004 8:34 pm

> German 2-8-2. Colorado setting.
The entire 251 mile line is now reopened. All steam. How long it will last is anyone's guess. I've been there several times & it's well worth seeing.

bas1210@comcast.net

Michael Allen · **Posted:** Tue Mar 23, 2004 10:41 pm

> I've been there several times &
> it's well worth seeing.

I second that! Riding the mixto from Eng. Jacobacci to Esquel was about as close as you could get to experiencing the San Juan Express.

The little Baldwin outside frame 2-8-2's tended to cover the northern half and the Henschel inside frame 2-8-2's the southern half. Both could really fly. I've timed them at 35 mph which is pretty fast for 30" gauge!

I hope this line does remain fully open, as the service in recent years has been from El Maiten south to Leleque and back and a weekend tourist train from Esquel to Nahuel Pan and back.

trainrider47@aol.com

John West · **Posted:** Tue Mar 23, 2004 11:45 pm

Neat railway, and great to hear that it may operating again. My personal comparison was with the Carson and Colorado....it seemed to fit the description of "200 miles too far or 200 years too soon".

jbwest@att.net

Dale W. Brown · **Posted:** Wed Mar 24, 2004 4:06 pm

> Neat railway, and great to hear that it may
> operating again.

Keep in mind the railroad was more or less moribound from 2000 till this past late 2003. Several tour operators sponsored trips till 2000 when everyone seem to abandon tours. The collapse of the Argentinian economy didn't help the situation.

Also all the mainline and some of the branchline railroads in Argentina have been privatized. The El Maiten to Esquel line was operated by the Provience of Chubut. The other end was in Rio Negro and they elected not to fund operations. Apparently funding is coming in from both Proviences and helping to reopen the line. The Line in Rio Negro Provience has been closed for close to 10 years.

dwbrown1@fuse.net

Bob Yarger · **Posted:** Fri Mar 26, 2004 1:04 am

In old Patagonia.

http://abpr2.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?august03/08-14-03/Patagonia-017-FA_101_north_in_the_shadow_of_the_Andes_1987.jpg
ryarger@rypn.org