LA TROCHITA - VIEJO EXPRESO PATAGÓNICO

The attraction is a steam locomotive and its few wooden wagons running on a 75 cm wide railway track, hence its name trochita ("the little narrow track"). The train was also immortalized in the Roman of the American Paul Theroux "L'Express de Patagonie", which earned it the nickname Viejo Expreso Patagónico. It was part of the General Roca Railway, one of the six railway networks decided by the president in the 1920s, in the great era of steam locomotives. At that time it was used exclusively for the transport of goods and played a key role in the development of the region. But its heyday did not last and it was unfortunately dismantled by the ultra-liberal President Menem in 1992. The line linked Ingeniero Jacobacci (east of Bariloche) to Esquel, and brought life to the region as it passed through the provinces of Chubut and Rio Negro. This is why the inhabitants campaigned for the survival of La Trochita and won their case. Made up of a Baldwin y Henschel locomotive and period wagons, it is a small living museum. The traditional ritual is respected: the "En voiture! "is signalled by a thundering bell and the steam bath is provided. If you don't have time to make the trip, go to the station at least one morning to watch the wagons being set up and the train departing in the middle of the hills. The small train then reaches its cruising speed (30 km/h). And to pass the time, you can admire the landscapes, of course, or immerse yourself in Raul Argemi's black and burlesque novel Patagonia Tchou Tchou, whose action full of twists and turns takes place on board the Trochita. Of course, survival is artificial since the current route of La Trochita is mostly limited to a tourist service (over 20 km), the route Esquel - Nahuel Pan A/R (or El Maitén - Desvio Thomae A/R). As the inhabitants of Esquel say: "It's always better than a definitive disappearance. "Sometimes you can go to El Maitén, but this is done on rare occasions, such as on National Day. The section is kept in good condition, as El Maiten is where the repair shops are located. It is advisable to book your ticket in advance, as the maximum capacity of this train is only 50 passengers and departures differ according to the season.