Argentina
November 6-29, 2009
November 16: Esquel to Bariloche: Esquel - La Trochita
La Trochita is an old steam train which is now a famous tourist attraction in Patagonia. "Trochita" means "narrow gauge" in Spanish. La Trochita was originally used as a mixed passenger and freight service. The construction of the train line began in 1922 but it took 23 years to complete the 402 km to Esquel. Locomotives had to contend with snowdrifts in winter, and five derailments occurred between 1945 and 1993 due to high winds or stray cows. 
The line ended up being unprofitable and so it was closed in 1993. Since then the Province of Chubut took over the running of the 165km section between Esquel and El Maitén and turned it into a tourist attraction.
Unfortunately the train is now run Argentina-style which means that the time tables can change at any time and that the train may or may not run depending on how busy it is. After asking several times when we first got to Esquel we were told the only day it would run while we were there was on the same day the boat was going to El Abuelo (which we definitely did not want to miss). In the end it worked out cause this way we still got to see the trains without having to devote an entire day to it.
It wasn't too busy... perhaps that's why the bathrooms were locked.
We walked across the rails and were told to head back to the white building
behind the trees where La Trochita is kept when not in use.
The rail used to turn the cars around.
An old locomotive.
The old controls in the locomotive.
Rubby and the kids pose in front of la trochita.
Samantha walking the line.
Christopher driving an older version of La Trochita which doesn't appear to be in use anymore.
Choo-choo!
This railway car was being redone.
Heading back to the train station... the building seems to have been newly renovated.
Inside the train station there are lots of displays about La Trochita.
A touristy map of Esquel.
Little toy trains, little toy tracks...
Samantha and Christopher really enjoyed their visit to the train station to see La Trochita.
next: Driving to El Bolson and Lunch »
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