International Railroad Discussion > RIP Pedro de Valdivia

The 3'6" rail system out of the port of Tocopilla in north Chile is closed

Serious washouts in the electrified section Tocopilla-Barriles in early August cut track in the vicinity of Reverso, and at several other points. The copper catenary wire from Reverso to the vicinity of Barriles was subsequently stolen
http://en.mercopress.com/2015/08/11/state-of-emergency-in-north-of-chile-because-of-torrential-rain-and-floods
Current Google Earth images show the state of the track
Caliche extraction on the Pedro de Valdivia nitrate pampa was discontinued on Friday, this was the last rail worked mining operation in Chile. This pampa supplied the bulk of the rail systems freight, so rail operation is no longer economically viable, SQM is currently experiencing serious legal and financial problems. Locos were moved to Maria Elena Saturday for storage pending disposal

Video of last official train AV to ME posted 21 November, consisted of 5/4/1/914/24/23/25
https://www.facebook.com/shik.pepa/videos/vb.1157682609/10208012467606998/?type=2&theater
https://www.facebook.com/shik.pepa/videos/vb.1157682609/10208012394245164/?type=2&theater

SQM's 3 NF210 (901/914/937) were based at Pedro de Valdivia and used by the SQM Mining Department for moving caliche from the pampa to the oficina. All 3 in good condition, having being rebuilt by Casagrande (at Chena in Santiago) in the last several years

The Pedro de Valdivia pampa is exhausted (mined for 85 years), nitrate extraction has now moved to Nueva Victoria, around 160km north of Pedro de Valdivia, this operation utilises trucks rather than rail.

El Mercurio reported this morning that all 700 workers displaced at Pedro Valdivia have been offered jobs at Nuevo Victoria and Coya Sur.  No word about the railroaders though.  The real question is how long the remaining ancient salietera Maria Elena will last.