International Railroad Discussion > Chile-Argentina Railink to open....really

The Ambassadors of both Chile and Argentina announced yesterday an agreement between both nations for the re-opening of the line between Antofagasta, Chile and Salta, Argentina.  Built in 1948, the line over Socompa Pass has not operated since 2010.  Belgrano Cargo will operate the Argentina side and Ferronor the Chilean.  The agreement will allow Ferronor equipment to operate in Argentina.  The track in Chile has been undergoing upgrading/repair recently,  This line has been in service by FCAB as far east as the Escondida copper mine, branching off their mainline at O'Higgins. Both railways are projecting up to two million tons of traffic annually once it is in full operation.   It will provide access to Chilean ports for mines located in Argentina, as well as Argentine agricultural products. The line  reaches an altitude of 14,680 feet at the summit...total length from Salta to Antofagasta is about 550 miles.  Operations are scheduled to begin in 60 to 90 days.

fantastic news, hope they launch a passenger train someday

Adam

Do they, both sides, have the locomotives to operate this line on a regular basis starting in 60 to 90 days?  It's one thing to clear the track.. It usually requires more time to get the locomotives, and there're going to need some big horse power to get up to 14K feet with long/heavy consists.  Gerry

If you are on Facebook

Work on the Argentinean side, photos and video, Belgrano Cargas track inspector https://www.facebook.com/josemateo.castillo.3

Photos of Ferronor work trains. Ferronor track commences at Augusta Victoria, FCAB lease the 50km east of here to access mine customers at Escondida. Loco is a Casagrande rebuilt U9C with a 12-645C
https://www.facebook.com/pabwest77/posts/10207691789797959?pnref=story
https://www.facebook.com/pablo.cejas.902/posts/1218872518138688?pnref=story

Video clip of this loco bankimg FCAB acid train up the coastal escarpment in 2009 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTizWdEy0jc
Don't knock the track, this sector sees around 5 million tons/annum, track is about average for north Chile and Argentina

For those interested in Ferronor, it is extremely unlikley thay the Chanaral-Potrerillos line washed away in the March floods will be rebuilt (estimated cost US$50 mil+). The mine that it served (Salvador) had a net unit cash costs of $6.20 a pound in the second quarter of 2015, according to Thomson Reuters GFMS, way above the CODELCO average of $1.36. Copper price is currently at around $2.30. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/07/us-chile-copper-codelco-idUSKCN0R71UO20150907

 

GPutz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Do they, both sides, have the locomotives to
> operate this line on a regular basis starting in
> 60 to 90 days?  It's one thing to clear the
> track.. It usually requires more time to get the
> locomotives, and there're going to need some big
> horse power to get up to 14K feet with long/heavy
> consists.  Gerry

Valid point, Estacion Socompa is at 3915 meters. However 1.8 milion tonnes is assumed to be from mining projects still to be developed within 100 km of the border (Taca Taca copper project). Otherwise the Argentinian side will be pushing excreta uphill to move more than 250k tonnes per annum (Belgrano Cargas in total moves less than 2 million tonnes per annum). Belgrano's neanderthal unions prohibit the use of multi locomotive trains without a crew in each loco, plus there are the 2 sets of switchbacks closer to Salta that limit train length. Ferronor only have the 150km from Augusta Victoria to Socompa to worry about, west of AV is FCAB owned, and they have the resources to cope. Escondida-Antofagasta/Mejillones is allready carrying over 2.5 million tonnes/annum

Ferronor will have sufficient GR12 displaced by GT46AC at Vallenar, plus locos displaced from the now abandoned Chanaral-Potrerillos system, for the initial phase. AV to Socompa (built in 1946-1948) probably capable of no more than 16 tonne/axle, unless heavier rail is substituted

Belgrano Cargas (or whatever fancy name the Peronist's have endowed on it this week) have 20 meter gauge locos on order from Beijing February 7th Railway Transportation Equipment, said to be due Q1 2016, this photo from 27/01/2015 may (not confirmed) be the prototype http://www.tjpfdjys.com/eng/administrator/product/upfile/20150309/18.jpg

Argentina is now in full propaganda mode ahead of next months presidential elections, so there is a lot of missinformation in circulation (like the 2 million tonne figure), and the tarted up Chinese loco wheeled out at Qishuyan a couple of weeks ago to give the Peronist Transport Minister a photo op.
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/15 17:38 by jmt.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tren_a_las_Nubes   I went on it in 2001 or maybe I should say tried to go on it.  The train left Salta but about 2/3rds of the way up the loco expired and we had to be rescued by buses.   I believe the service was suspended after that but I believe it has operated occasionally since.