Introduction

How to get around
This site is divided into fourteen main topics. Rollover the red number plates to see what is in each chapter. In each one there may be a number of separate pages, usually accessed by clicking somewhere on a button bar below the title.

English and Spanish
As well as this English language site, a Spanish version is available, thanks to the translation work of David Sinclair.

Search the site
Click here to access a search form which enables you to search the site for a particular name or phrase.

These pages are copyright Martin Coombs 1999 - 2012.
Some sections and photos may also be the copyright
of other helpers and contributors.

This site covers the history of the railways, mostly narrow gauge, in the far south of South America and in the islands of the South Atlantic. Some of these were public lines ('common carriers' in US parlance) whilst many others were private industrial or agricultural systems.

It will surprise many to learn that this area contained at least sixty different railways and probably more. There is still much research to do, and any new information would be much appreciated. However, there is already much of interest, from 1500 ton coal trains on the 75cm. (2' 6") gauge, to gold mining and whaling railways! Details are also included of the museums and tourist railways in the area, including 'La Trochita' at Esquel and the 'End of the World' line at Ushuaia.

Please feel free to contact me at the address below, to correct my mistakes, to ask questions, or even to provide new facts or photos. Information for this site and its Spanish language counterpart has been provided by many different helpers from all over the world. The photo above, for example, is by Alan Crotty and was taken in 1988.

Martin Coombs
martin.coombs1 @ virgin.net