A Little bit of history...

"...President  José Figueroa Alcorta expressed in his first opening speech at the Congress  (1906), his concern about the lack of economic development in national territory. He prepared an action programme for the future. Aims? To increase population and industries. Objective? To propel regional progress in territories which, in the future, would become the Argentine Provinces…

"With the same purpose, a railway construction plan was still under assessment. Departing from Puerto San Antonio, passing by Valcheta and arriving in Lake Nahuel Huapi along with another line from Rivadavia to Valle 16 de Octubre at the foot of the Andes, passing by Colonia Sarmiento and San Martín, and the Southbound to Lake Buenos Aires; all these financed by the sale of fiscal estates whose value would be increased by the railroads".

"Therefore, Law 5559, of 28th of August of 1908, disposed the construction of the railway from Puerto San Antonio to Lake Nahuel Huapi, in the territory of Río Negro. Wide rails were the election due to the simple reason that the Patagonian Train "Soon will be linked to the southbound line and the Pacific line...".

"Notice: According to the chronicles, during the first year of construction the rails advanced 120 Km... Product of 3 shifts of 8 working hours each... A great feat....!

"The year 1922 was the starting point of the railway network (...) The railway arrived at Carmen de Patagones on the 1st of May, 1922. Simultaneously with the construction of a railway to join Carmen De Patagones with San Antonio"

"The construction of said railroad will allow communication with Viedma, Capital of the Territory of Río Negro, completing this way the National railway network, linking these towns to the harbour of Bahía Blanca to facilitate imports and exports in an important and rich zone, providing economic and social progress to this part of the Republic".

"The 18th of January of 1924 started the construction of the first tourist train to San Carlos de Bariloche, arriving for the first time in 1934. The trip from Buenos Aires to Bahía Blanca and then Carmen de Patagones was on board "rapid train", departing twice a week, and had a restaurant wagon and cabins. The passengers crossed the river by boat to arrive at Viedma and later on, across the new bridge.

The Patagonian Train invites you to travel while resting in its comfortable cabins and seats. The train has steward service and you can also carry your car on board. You can relax, walk and sleep on the train. Have dinner at the restaurant and breakfast at sunrise enjoying the magnificent views.