Riding The OLD PATAGONIAN EXPRESS 🚂 La Trochita: Epic STEAM TRAIN Adventure in Esquel, Patagonia 🇦🇷

Подробнее о видео

All aboard the OLD PATAGONIAN EXPRESS! Today we take you one of the most epic train journeys in the world, made even more famous by Paul Theroux's 1979 account "The Old Patagonian Express", where he sought to ride trains all the way from his hometown in Massachusetts all the way down to Argentina. Today, the Old Patagonian Express may only be a fraction of what it once was, but it’s an exciting journey nevertheless, and we knew we had to ride it! This tourist steam train may cover only a short distance, but it’s a fun way to experience the nostalgia of early 20th-century train travel and it also allows you to soak in the magical landscapes of the Patagonian steppe.

To give you a bit more information, in Spanish, this steam train is known as La Trochita; this translates to ‘little gauge’ and it’s a nickname that refers to the train’s super narrow gauge of only 75 centimetres!

The Old Patagonian Express is a railway line was originally planned as part of a larger network that would connect all of Patagonia, however, the project was never completed due to ministerial changes and then the start of the First World War, which also affected Argentina’s economy.

Today the Old Patagonian Express operates on alternating locomotives; one is a Baldwin from the United States and the other a Henschel from Germany. The wooden wagons came from Belgium, and the heaters, well those were later installed in Argentina to make the journeys across Patagonia in winter a little more bearable.

You can take this journey from a few different stations. This one here is the journey from Esquel to Nahuel Pan. When you arrive in Nahuel Pan, you have 45 minutes to visit the artisanal fair, a small museum, and also buy food for a quick lunch. We went for the choripan (chorizo in a bun), alfajores and torta frita.

Overall, we really enjoyed riding aboard the Old Patagonian Express. As we've mentioned this is a classic train journey and if you enjoy train travel, it's well worth checking out!

🚂 Riding the Old Patagonian Express – La Trochita Steam Train Adventure in Esquel, Patagonia 🇦🇷

🎬 Introduction & Context

One of the most iconic travel experiences in Patagonia is riding the legendary Old Patagonian Express, also known as La Trochita. Immortalized in Paul Theroux’s 1979 travel classic, this historic steam train lets you step back in time to the golden age of rail and savor the wild beauty of the Patagonian steppe. Though the journey now covers just a short stretch, the nostalgia, the scenery, and the adventure are unforgettable!

🚉 Arriving at the Station: All Aboard!

The video begins with excitement at Esquel station as travelers gather to watch the vintage steam engine being prepared.

Travel Tip: Arrive 30 minutes early to soak up the atmosphere and witness the prep.

The station is conveniently located just three blocks from Esquel’s bus terminal.

💸 Ticket Info & Journey Details

Tickets cost $32 USD per person for a roundtrip ride.

The journey is about one hour each way, with a 45-minute stop at the mid-point to visit a small museum and enjoy the scenery.

Tours run more frequently in high season; in low season, the train departs Saturdays at 10 a.m.

The train operates on a super narrow gauge (75 cm) and is affectionately called La Trochita (“the little gauge”).

🚂 Vintage Train Vibes & Historical Background

La Trochita’s carriages are Belgian, locomotives hail from the U.S. and Germany, and stoves for warmth were installed in Argentina.

The railway was originally designed to connect all of Patagonia but was never completed due to economic and political changes.

Today, only a few sections operate, with Esquel–Nahuel Pan being the most famous.

🥪 Onboard Snacks & Train Stop Highlights

Passengers enjoy tasty local snacks: choripán (chorizo sausage in a bun with chimichurri), torta frita (fried dough), and specialty alfajores—one with raisins and rum, another in the Welsh style.

Travelers befriend a local dog hoping for a bite of choripán.

At the halfway stop (Nahuel Pan), you can buy snacks, explore the platform, and visit the Museum of Patagonian Culture (small but packed with artifacts, textiles, and musical instruments).

Don’t leave the museum for the last minute—time flies!

🏞️ Scenic Ride & Compartments Tour

The ride delivers classic Patagonian landscapes: sweeping valleys, endless steppe, and mountain backdrops.

Different compartments exist: some have wooden benches, others have leather seats and vintage stoves.

Travel Tip: Windows open for photos, and numbered seats help everyone get a scenic view (left or right side—either direction is beautiful).

The OLD PATAGONIAN EXPRESS: Epic STEAM TRAIN Ride in Patagonia, Argentina 🚂

BLOGS