The World's Southernmost Railway: The Puerto Deseado Railway

The Puerto Deseado Railway ran from Puerto Deseado north to Las Heras in Argentina's Santa Cruz Province until 1978. (Right of way)

It was intended to spur development into the sparsely populated Patagonia region, but was never extended past its western terminus at Las Heras, and thus had little success in this regard. Even 40 years after the railway was built, it served a population of only 7,000 people. (Railways of the South)

Additionally, the route ran parallel to the coast, meaning that traffic destined for the large city of Comodoro Rivadavia, roughly 80 miles or 125km northeast of Las Heras, would have to travel up to 550 km by rail and steamer, or just a quarter of that distance by truck using the route, thus making the journey nearly obsolete via rail.

A steam engine near Las Heras, c.1930. (Ferrocarriles en el Cono Sur) [Link and source in Spanish]

In 1908, the railway was planned, along with an unbuilt connection that would have either constructed another line north of Las Heras, or extended this line north, to Lago Nahuel Huapi, about 400 miles north. From there, another line to Puerto San Antonio would connect to the rest of the Argentine railway network, eventually linking the region with Buenos Aires by rail. 

The line was completed in 1911, and was the world's southernmost passenger railway line, although some short rail operations have occurred even on the Antarctic continent. Small operations have occurred all across the world in places you would not expect!

There was another railroad line in the Falklands, specifically the Camber Railway, which was constructed to support the Admiralty wireless station, but was not used in passenger operations.

Puerto Deseado Station, 1936. Wikipedia Commons.

The 177 mile line fell into disrepair beginning in the 1950's, with services falling to one train a month before its eventual abandonment in 1978. A railway museum showcasing the history of this line and Puerto Deseado exists inside the old station to this day.

Following the closure, much of the railway's rolling stock was dismantled and auctioned off. Notably, Coach No. 502, built by the British company Lancaster in 1898, was preserved and declared provincial cultural heritage in December 1980. This coach had previously served in the Ferrocarril Andino and was used as a first-class coach on the Puerto Deseado line. Today, it operates as a tourism office in Puerto Deseado.

Thanks as always for reading!


Location: Puerto Deseado, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina

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