He Patagonian Train will resume its service between the Rio Negro cities of Viedma and San Carlos de Bariloche starting in January 2025, within the framework of the summer season in the southern province.
The reactivation of the formation was officially announced this week, in an event in which the Rio Negro governor participated, Alberto Weretilneckwho announced the work that was carried out on the branch in recent months.
The Patagonian Train resumes its service between Viedma and Bariloche
He Patagonian Train will once again link the capital of Río Negro, Viedma, with the tourist town of San Carlos de Bariloche starting next January 3, and tickets are available from this Wednesday.
In this regard, Weretilneck highlighted that the service was reconditioned with an investment from the Province of $2,848 million.
“The train gave us the identity of the Southern Region, but it also allows us to integrate the mountain range with the sea. “We are the only province that today has a state railway and we are proud of this, always taking care of history and always trying to advance and grow,” said the president.
The new formation is made up of two motorist trays, two cabins, three Pullman cars, a restaurant and the long-awaited return of the cinema car, which will provide passengers with a unique experience during their trip through Patagonia. Regarding the renewal of the tracks, work was carried out with rails provided by the Railway Infrastructure Administration (ADIF) and the acquisition of sleepers by the company.
During the event, the Governor referred to the future challenges of the Patagonian Train and noted: “We need the Patagonian Train to transport cargo to generate income that allows us to improve equipment, modernize resources and maintain the tracks. That is the challenge that is presented to us.”
Among the works carried out, the comprehensive renovation of the car interiors, the purchase of spare parts for locomotives, as well as the exterior painting, which renewed the aesthetics of the train with the new institutional colors, stand out. In addition, a significant improvement was carried out in the railway infrastructure, particularly in the Viedma-San Antonio Oeste section.
Negotiations with the Nation
On the presentation day, Weretilneck also announced the negotiations with the Government to achieve the transfer of the use of the roads in the Alto Valle.
“We are not going to stop insisting until we have the new Valley train, which allows us to transport, every day of the year, those thousands of people who travel to study or work permanently,” he pointed out.
“In the province, currently, between Cipolletti, Allen, General Roca and Villa Regina, there are 15,000 university students, of which 50% travel daily from one city to another to study.
Likewise, police officers, nurses, business employees, oil workers and other citizens who travel between cities are mobilized,” Weretilneck explained.
Finally, Roberto Lopezpresident of the Patagonian Train, announced that: “The formation will have its first trip in 2025, on January 3, and will have two weekly departures. Furthermore, after 16 years, we have the cinema car again.”
This investment not only strengthens the infrastructure of the Patagonian Train, but also contributes to the growth and development of tourism and connectivity in the region, offering a high-quality and comfortable transportation option for residents and tourists traveling through majestic Patagonia.
The Mayor of Viedma, Marcos Castro, also participated in the event; the Minister of Public Works and Services, Alejandro Echarren; and the Secretary of Transportation, Juan Ignacio Ciancaglini.
Source: Ambito
