Tour Date: 16 Days | 3 to 17 November 2023
Location: Argentina

The Old Patagonian Express has gone down in folklore history made popular by the author Paul Theroux and others over the years. But this train does exist in a remote region of the Argentine Patagonia, some 1000 miles southwest of Buenos Aires. Most railfans know this as the Esquel narrow gauge line. Locals call It “La Trochita” and railroad management calls it “El Viejo Expreso Patagonico” 2022 marks the 100th year anniversary of this historic rail line. We will have all of the locomotives that pull our trains re lettered into the original Ferrocarriles Argentinos in honor of 100 years of operation.

Over the past 100 years this 251 mile 2’ 5 1/2” (75cm) gauge line has seen good and bad times, has seen several trains per day to just one train per week and during the Covid Pandemic no trains at all. One very important fact now stands out about this rail line… IT IS THE LAST AND LONGEST 100% STEAM OPERATED RAILROAD IN ALL OF SOUTH AMERICA! The Baldwin and Henschel 2-8-2’s are still being repaired in the workshops to keep the tourist trains operating. For several days in March 2023 we will turn back the clock and operate several charter trains that will look just like the way it was many years ago. Since 1987 we have now chartered 44 trains on this line.

During our tour additional time will be spent enjoying other steam locomotive operations in the Buenos Aires and Bariloche areas plus a planned charter pulled by Baldwin/ Westinghouse electric No. 953 which is being restored to operating condition by the Ferroclub Argentino near Buenos Aires. This classic box cab electric was built in 1927 for the Red River Lumber Company out of Westwood, California and later operated on the Pacific Electric before being sold to Argentina in the mid 1950’s. We have requested that this box cab pull our charter train out of Buenos Aires to the Ferroclub Argentino museum at Lynch on the standard gauge Urquiza Railroad. Additionally the last operating Baldwin Shark Nose diesel in the world will pull our train out of Buenos Aires and we also are planning to visit the stored passenger cars that were built by Budd for the C&O’s Chessie which never went into service and ended up being sold to Argentina.

PTG Tours have got together with Trains & Travel International in California to offer this tour in both UK and US, this results in a much better selling price and (an almost) certainty that the tour will run with sufficient numbers.

Travel from the UK to Argentina on 16 March
We offer a full package including scheduled flights from the UK and private taxi transfer on arrival into Argentina. There is now a direct, overnight, British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires. Leaving LHR at 22:25 for 14hr flight arriving into Buenos Aires at 08:20. We can offer connecting BA flights from many UK airports to connect with this flight at Heathrow. Alternative flights are also available from other UK airports, via Madrid or Frankfurt.

Pre-Tour Nights
If you would like to arrive into Argentina a day or two ahead of the main group, to relax and acclimatize, then we can arrange this for you. The only extra cost will be the cost of the hotel in Buenos Aires.

Tour Highlights

• Remote stunning scenery
• Private steam hauled charter trains
• Plenty to space to spread out
• Last and longest 100% steam railroad in South America
• Baldwin and Henschel 2-8-2s
• Plenty of runpasts and photo stops

Tour Itinerary

Day 0 Travel from the UK to Argentina on 2 November

We offer a full package including scheduled flights from the UK and private taxi transfer on arrival into Argentina. There is now a direct, overnight, British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires. Leaving LHR at 22:25 for 14hr flight arriving in to Buenos Aires at 08:20. We can offer connecting BA flights from many UK airports to connect with this flight at Heathrow. Alternative flights are also available from other UK airports, via Madrid or Frankfurt.

Pre-Tour Nights

If you would like to arrive in to Argentina a day or two ahead of the main group, to relax and acclimatize, then we can arrange this for you. The only extra cost will be the cost of the hotel in Buenos Aires.

DAY 1 FRIDAY 3 November (D)

Flight arrivals into Buenos Aires and independent hotel check-in. Afternoon tour of the major passenger train stations in Buenos Aires. We will begin this tour at our hotel lobby at 2:00pm and walk to the near-by subway station. This afternoon excursion will be fully escorted by not only our American guide but our local railfan guides that live in Buenos Aires. We will introduce you to how most of the local folks get around the city. You will be amazed how all of the major train stations can be accessed by subway. In fact a person can visit just about all areas of the city by rail. We plan to visit these train stations: Plaza Constitucion (largest station in BA) has 16 platforms and hundreds of trains a day. Retiro Mitre, Retiro San Martin and Retiro Belgrano. These three stations are next to each other with easy access. Back to our downtown hotel to relax for the evening.

DAY 2 SATURDAY NOVEMBER 4: (B-L-D)

Today we have a morning flight of a little over two hours Buenos Aires to San Carlos de Bariloche. (Air Tickets Included) We will first have lunch then go on a tour of the Lake District region and a city tour of Bariloche which was settled by Swiss and Germans and so this delightful town gives you the feel of being in the Swiss Alps. After our town tour we will go out to the train station and small shops which is on the Ferroviarios Patagonico (Railroad) . Then hotel check in and the evening will will have our “Welcome to Argentina Dinner”.

SHORT OPTION TOUR MEMBERS ARRIVE IN BUENOS AIRES AND TRANSFER TO THE DOMESTIC AIRPORT AND FLY TO BARILOCHE AND MEET UP WITH THE GROUP AT THE HOTEL. THIS FLIGHT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SHORT OPTION AND IF TICKETED AS PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS THIS TICKET FARE IS GREATLY DISCOUNTED AND IN SOME CASES DEPENDING UPON THE INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE USED INTO BUENOS AIRES YOUR FLIGHT TO BARILOCHE IS FREE.

DAY 3 SUNDAY NOVEMBER 5: (B-L-D)

Today we have a charter two unit Spanish built railcar from San Carlos de Bariloche to Jacobacci a distance of 121 miles on broad gauge. Several photo run-bys will be made on our way to Jacobacci. We will first pay a visit to the narrow gauge steam workshops in Jacobacci before hotel check-in and dinner.

DAY 4 MONDAY NOVEMBER 6: (B-L-D)

We plan to depart Jacobacci very early with our charter pulled by one of the narrow gauge 2-8-2’s Jacobacci to Norquinco , a distance of 126 miles. The first 10 miles out of Jacobacci is a very unique dual gauge three rail line where the narrow gauge shares the rails with the broad gauge. We will stage as many photo run-bys today as possible but this is going to be a very long day so the photo stops will be somewhat limited. Back some 50 years ago “The Old Patagonian Express” could make it between Jacobacci and El Maiten in just 8 hours but not anymore. Today it will take our train a good 13 hours just to make it to Norquinco. We plan to arrive at Norquinco at around sunset. Here we transfer to our charter motorcoach for the ride to the small town of El Bolson and hotel check-in. You will keep your same room for two nights.

DELIGHTFUL EL BOLSON IS IN THE HEART OF THE ANDES. WE WILL HAVE TWO NIGHTS HERE AT THE CUMBRES HOTEL. FOR THOSE TOUR MEMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO RELAX AND ENJOY THE TOWN OR GO ON A SIGHTSEEING EXCURSION YOU ARE WELCOME TO STAY HERE ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 7. WE WILL ARRANGE A SIGHTSEEING TOUR IF THERE IS ENOUGH INTEREST. THE SPECTACULAR SCENERY IN THE EL BOLSON AREA IS BREATH TAKING.

DAY 5 TUESDAY NOVEMBER 7: (B-L)

Return Norquinco via motorcoach to reboard our waiting charter train for the rail trip south to El Maiten, a distance of 23 miles. Visit what is left of the steam workshops and running shed at El Maiten and a small railroad museum. Many of the original buildings have now been torn down. There is plenty of narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock stored here. The original roster was made up of 11 Baldwin and 11 Henschel steam locomotives of the 2-8-2 wheel arrangement plus one Henschel 0-6-0 that was used at the workshop and yard as a switcher. We then reboard our charter train and continue our journey southbound to a the station of Thomae where the Mapuche Indian Blockaide is located. Our charter bus will be waiting and we will ride back to El Bolson for the 2nd night. Same hotel and rooms.

DAY 6 WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 8: (B-L)

We return to Thomae where our train had tied up for the night. This morning we will be able to follow our train by highway through the 13 mile blockaide taking pictues at a couple locations. At the station of Leleque we will reboard our train and continue south to the end of the line at Esquel. Transfer to a local hotel.

DAY 7 THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9: (B-L)

In the morning we will visit the running shed and stage the steam locomotives on the turntable at Esquel before boarding our charter train. Today we will have a doubleheader with one Baldwin and a Henschel and a mixed consist of freight and passenger cars for the steep climb out of the Esquel Valley and up to the Patagonian Plateau at Nahuel Pan, a distance of 12 very scenic and steep miles. Here one steam locomotive will return to Esquel as we depart northbound with our mixed consist and one locomotive. We will make a stop at the Lepa station for lunch. Arrangements have been made for a authentic “Argentine Barbecue” to be served on an open fire BBQ pit built next to the station by authentic Argentine Gauchos (Cowboys). The Gauchos will start our barbecue in plenty of time before we arrive so it will be ready for us. Included in this barbecue is Beef, Pork, Lamb and fresh home made sausages, plus salad and french bread. This is a “All you can Eat” barbecue. After lunch we reboard our train and continue north to Leleque where we will transfer to our waiting bus for the short ride to El Bolson and hotel check-in. You will have the same room for two nights.

DAY 8 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 10: : (B-L)

We return by bus to Thomae and reboard our waiting train for the journey north to El Maiten. Here our engine will be replaced with different one. We depart northbound for the 23 miles to Norquinco. Plenty of photo run-bys today. Again we transfer to our waiting bus for the trip back to El Bolson. Everyone will have the same room.

DAY 9 SATURDAN NOVEMBER 11: (B-L-D)

Return to Norquinco to board our waiting train and head northbound to Jacobacci, a distance of 125 miles. This will be a very long day so we will only run a few photo run-bys today. We estimate between departure from the hotel in El Bolson until you check in at the hotel in Jocobacci will be at least 17 hours. This is why we are giving you dinner on the train today. Upon arrival in Jacobacci hotel check-in.

DAY 10: SUNDAY NOVEMBER 12 : (B-L)

Today we have a charter train with a different consist from Jacobacci south to Ojo de Agua and return a distance of 54 miles. We will stage photos run-bys both directions. Ten miles west of Jacobacci is the junction of the narrow gauge and broad gauge. Waiting for us will be a broad gauge passenger train pulled by locomotive 121 a 2-8-0 North British built in 1913. After staging the board and narrow gauge locomotives side by side for photos we stage some photo run-bys with the North British 2-8-0 before headed east towards Jacabacci. You are welcome to ride either trains. The next couple of unique photo run-bys will feature both trains, broad gauge and narrow gauge.

Back in Jacobacci we will board the once a week Tren Patagonico departing at 9:24 pm and headed eastbound. Everyone will be in Sleeper Class. Once onboard and you get all settled into your private bedroom you will want to go to the dinning car and enjoy dinner. Then after dinner this train has a theatre car so you might want to go watch a movie.

DAY 11 MONDAY NOVEMBER 13: (L)

Tren Patagonico arrives in Viedma at 11:34 am but is most often late. We will either have lunch in the dining car or at a restaurant in Viedma depending upon the arrival of the train. After lunch we visit the railroad workshops for Tren Patagonico. After our visit hotel check-in.

DAY 12 TUESDAY NOVEMBER 14: (B-L)

Morning charter motorcoach Viedma to Bahia Blanca which is a distance of 155 miles. Upon arrival we go to visit the workshops of Trenes Argentinos (Railroad). After our workshop visit we have a flight at catch at 4:55 pm arriving in Buenos Aires at 6:05 pm. Transfer to our hotel and check-in. Rest of the evening on your own leisure.

NOTE:

If the overnight passenger train that did operate between Bahia Blanca and Buenos Aires is reinstated then we will take this train instead of flying. This train was scheduled to depart at 9:15 pm for the overnight journey to Buenos Aires arriving the next morning at 10:05 am. This train was suspended because of a bridge that was no longer safe for passenger trains. The railroad hopes to have this bridge repaired later this year.

SHORT OPTON TOUR MEMBERS WILL  TRANSFER DIRECTLY TO THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR THEIR FLIGHTS HOME. THIS FLIGHT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SHORT OPTION PRICE AS IT CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE INTERNATIONAL TICKET AT A HUGE DISCOUNT AND IN SOME CASES TOTALLY FREE.

DAY 13 EDNESDAY NOVEMBER 15: (B-L)

Morning charter train with motive power and equipment from the FerroClub Argentino’s collection. This will include the last operating Baldwin Shark Nose diesel in the world and some passenger equipment from the museum. We then visit the FerroClub’s Escalada Railroad Museum which is all of their broad gauge equipment. After our museum visit we make a stop at La Boca which is part of Buenos Aires and explore colorful Caminito Street. Then we return to our hotel our check-in.

NOTE:

If the passenger train Bahia Blanca to Buenos Aires is back in operation by November then we will arrive at the Plaza Constitucion station at 10:05 am. Our charter train will be waiting at this station pulled by the only operating Baldwin Shark Nose diesel in the world. Our train will be made up of classic wooden coaches from the Ferroclub’s collection. This charter will take use from Plaza Constitucion Station to the museum at Escalada. Mid afternoon return to downtown Buenos Aires and hotel check-in

Day 14 THURSDAY NOVEMBER 16: (B-L-D)

Those on the 14 day option leave today with transfers to Buenos Aires airport.

In the morning we visit the Ferroclub Argentino’s railroad museum at Lynch which is on standard gauge. We will first go to the Federico Lacroze Station on the Urquiza Railroad which is located within the city limits of Buenos Aires. Here we will board our private charter train for the run to Lynch. Former Pacific Electric box cab 953 built by Baldwin/Westinghouse will pull our train. This classic box cab was built for the Red River Lumber Company in 1927 as No. 204. In 1944 it was sold to the Central California traction and renumbered to 24. Then in 1947 it went to the Pacific Electric as No. 1593. Finally in 1952 this motor was sold to Argentina. At the Lynch museum one or two of the club’s steam locomotives will be in operation. Also sister electric box cab 952 will be at the museum and the Ferroclub has agreed to repaint her in the original Pacific Electric scheme just for our visit. You will have plenty of time to explore the Ferroclub’s museum at Lynch including the deadline of former Pacific Electric motors just outside of the museum including a classic Hollywood car. All of this former PE equipment was sold to Argentina in 1952. We then return to downtown Buenos Aires on our bus. In the evening we will host our “Farewell to Argentina Dinner”

DAY 15 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 17:(B)

In the morning we will visit the Budd built passenger cars then the National Railway Museum which is located at the Retiro Station. The Chessie was a proposed streamlined passenger train developed by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway in the late 1940’s. This new train would have operated on a daylight schedule between Washington DC and Cincinnati, Ohio. The train’s luxury lightweight equipment was built new by the Budd Company but never put intro service. Out of 48 cars built for this train 12 were sold to the FC Roca Railway and shipped to Argentina. They were eight 36 seat coaches, two 28 seat baggage-coach, and 2 lunch counter/tavern/lounge cars. Once fitted to broad gauge and link & pin couplings this train went into service between Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata, a distance of 250 miles, as an extra fare luxury vacation train and was called “El Marplatense”. This train was finally retired a few years ago and four cars were not scrapped and are stored in Buenos Aires. We will be back at the hotel in enough time before check-out and end of our tour.

Prices & Options

Prices (per person)

• Full 14 day holiday with flights from UK: from £6,250
• 13 night trip Joining in Buenos Aires: £5,250
• Full 16 day holiday with flights from UK: from £6,775
• 15 night trip Joining in Buenos Aires: £5,875

Options

• Single room supplement: £850 (13 Nights), £985 (15 nights)

Deposit

• £1,650 plus any flight costs

* flight price confirmed at time of booking