The 'End of the World Line'

Garratt No.2 'Nora', as it then was, coasts back down through the national park on the 1st January 2001.

Part of the prison railway trackbed has recently been re-used for a 50cm. gauge tourist line known as 'The end of the world train,' or more officially the Ferrocarril Austral Fueguino. This is operated by new steam locos, namely an 0-4-0 + 0-4-0 Garratt (now renamed 'Ing. L. D. Porta') built in Buenos Aires, and a 2-6-2T in 'Lynton & Barnstable' style ('Camila'), built by Winson Engineering in the UK. There are also regauged Ruston and O&K diesels and a new one built at Port Shepstone in South Africa.

The line is owned and operated by Tranex Turismo of Buenos Aires, and has been operating for about eight years. Whilst tourism in the far south is very dependent on the state of the Argentine economy, the railway seems to have made good progress and clearly has a number of further developments in mind for the near future.

This line has its own website in English as well as Spanish.

The route
The railway at present starts several kilometres west of Ushuaia, though there is a regular minibus service from the town centre. The 'End of the World' Station is a new construction in an Alpine style, with an overall roof covering both the platform and the adjacent workshops. There is a café and a shop. No modern narrow gauge railway ever misses the opportunity to provide 'added value'!

Garratt loco 'Nora' waits at the head of her train for a mid-day departure. The backdrop gives some idea of the scenery around the principal station. January 2001

The site also includes a carriage shed with small historic display. This is accessed by a sector table (like a turntable but pivoted at one end and only moving through a small angle).

Once away from the station the trains run alongside the Rio Pipo, partly on a new alignment as much of the old Presidio trackbed has been washed away. Occasionally lines of old sleepers show where the prison locos used to operate and everywhere there are old tree stumps - relics of hard labour! Seldom can such a short trackbed have so many stories to tell.

'Nora' in original form alongside the river, with gabions showing where the river bank has needed reinforcement.

The line crosses the river at Puente Quemado. This is a new bridge but on the old alignment. A lower level footbridge is on the right.

Locos are usually working hard here on the outward run as the steep Macarena bank starts almost immediately after the bridge. This is at about 1 in 30 and is the steepest section on the line.

The gradient is clearly visible as Driver Chris Parrott puts 'Nora' at the bank, below. January 2001.

At the top of the bank is La Macarena station, where trains stop for fifteen minutes or so. The Macarena cascades are nearby and a small exhibition showing how the original indigenous population lived.

In this photo most of the passengers have gone off to visit the attractions. 'Nora' was wearing her temporary additional water tanks which give her a rather strange appearance. These were fitted for a while before her rebuild started, whilst various tests were undertaken.

To those used to the rest of Patagonia, southern Tierra del Fuego is remarkably green. The train has gathered its passengers and continues alongside the river towards the national park boundary.

The upper part of the route runs alongside some wonderful examples of raised peatbog, eventually arriving at the terminus. Some passengers will walk on into the park, and return later. Railway enthusiasts might well wish to explore some of the old forestry railway trackbeds.

'Nora' runs round her train at 'Parque Nacional' whilst the guide waits to help in the coupling up. January 2001.

Future extension
There are firm plans to extend the railway back towards the town. This will turn the present main terminus into a through station, before a steep climb up to the col and then a drop towards the sea shore.

Operating
The railway typically advertises four departures during a high season day. However, on busy days such as when cruise ships are in, departures may be in several portions. Radio control permits flexibility of operation within the usual constraints of absolute block working.

Macarena bank provides the main constraint on the hauling power of the locos. 'Nora' for example in original form could take seven bogies up the bank.

28-5-08