International Railroad Discussion > Flying the Flag in Chile

September 18, 1810 is the date of the junta in Chile that began the movement toward independence from Spain.   The actual Declaration of Independence was on February 12, 1818,  but the junta of 1810 got the ball rolling and that's the date celebrated..  September 18 is a week-long celebration with a lot of partyin' goin' on.  This year the crews at Arauco adorned a few units with the national flag.  This past week  I was down there and discovered a few units are still flying the flag.   Here is  Alco RSD20 D1810 with a celulose train at Coronel, Chile on Nov 20, 2025



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/25 14:47 by masterphots.

---

'Pretty amazing to still be able to photograph a working ALCO in 2025!  Thanks.

Greg Stadter
Phoenix, AZ

Eleven Alcos and all nine surviving SDL39s working in the timber/cellulose lines down south.  With continual rebuildings/upgrades they'll be there many more years.

Can we get a brief summary of the "cellulose traffic?"  Never heard of that. 

What we call pulpwood is cut and hauled by rail and truck to huge plants where it is made into paper products for local consumption.  However, the main product is sheets of cellulose which can be used to make all manner of products.  This is one of Chile's top exports.  The region between Concepcion/Talcahuano and Temuco is the center of the industry.  Here there are old timey log trains and the cellulose trains which are covered flat cars with canvas sides.  The train to the right in the photo is such a train.

These trains make up 95% of freight traffic in the region for both freight operators, Fepasa and Transap



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/02/25 23:16 by masterphots.