Re: South American meter gauge network

Meter gauge, so they have a little more stability than a 3ft gauge car.

Not sure if these cars will ever see service again. The meter gauge network in South America is broken at too many points and the systems are not unified anymore. Chile and Bolivia have only one operational connection with FCAB out of Antofagasta.The links between Bolivia and Argentina are closed. However Ferrocarril Oriental (eastern network, not connected to FCA Bolivia in the west) has connections with Argentina and Brazil. FO may not have any active interchange at this time with Argentina since the Belgrano line has deteriorated to nearly impassable. I think that the Belgano has nearly 10,000 kilometers of track, with the majority out of service.

Bolivia and Chile have privatized with outside companies. Argentina has partially privatized the General Belgrano Cargo (the only meter gauge network) by giving it to the Railway Mens Union. Brazil has also privatized. At one time it was possible to interchange between 4 countries. This was the only extensive International railroad connections in all of South America. The only other international connection was the standard gauge system of the former Urqizia Railroad between Argentina and Paraguay.


Dale Brown