THE TRAIN THAT WAS NOT

Layout of the Trans-Patagonian Railroad. Argentina. circa 1886.

Exceptional! Original plan on thick watercolor cardboard. Measurements: 100 x 63.8 cm. Work in good condition, with a brief oxidation in its folds.

Notable railway organization project that runs through the entire Patagonian plateau from Cabo de las Vírgenes at the eastern mouth of the Strait of Magellan passing through Choele - Choel and Bahía - Blanca to Buenos Aires, with branch lines to Santa Cruz (city of Río Gallegos). , Chubut (city of Trelew) and among other cities, Pueyrredón (Mar del Plata), Ayacucho - Tandil - Juárez, Lobos and Chivilcoy.

We are facing a gesture of audacity typical of the pioneers who forged the country, although the initiative did not come to fruition. The first Patagonian railway operated since 1888 linking the city of Trelew with the Puerto Madryn dock, advancing over the years into the interior of the territory, first to Gaiman, later to Dolavon and already nationalized in 1920, it reached the town of Las Plumas. The concession had been awarded to Welshman Lewis Jones. In 1961 it was closed. This brief history allows us to gauge the magnitude of the project outlined by Gobart y Cía. As indicated on the map, the route ran through the governorates of La Pampa, Río Negro, Chubut and Santa Cruz, defined by Law No. 1532, on National Territories, enacted in 1884.

In those years, the extensions of land and geographical features to be overcome were barriers of great complexity, not to mention other difficulties, such as the presence of the original settlers who, even then, were demanding the invasion of their territories. However, the thirst for adventure and the search for economic success guided the most daring spirits, also promoted by national laws, such as the one issued in 1897 (No. 3658) that encouraged "the recognition of the land necessary to project the construction of railways and navigation channels in the territories of Río Negro, Neuquen, Chubut and Santa Cruz”.

Consulted the railway historian, Martín Delprato, he informed us about the existence of "more than seventy projects in the country that were not awarded, some not awarded, others without paying the corresponding guarantee and others abandoned halfway due to lack of investors" -to seal your response by noting that "much remains to be investigated on this topic." [1]

Note:

1. We appreciate the information provided by Martín Delprato, author of an important printed work referring to the history of Argentine railways.