Servicios Ferroviarios Patagónico

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Servicios Ferroviarios Patagónico (SEFEPA) (in English: Patagonian Railway Services) is a public company owned by the Argentine Province of Rio Negro which operates a 826 km 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge railway line between Viedma and San Carlos de Bariloche built by Ferrocarriles Patagónicos, which became the Roca division of Ferrocarriles Argentinos after railway nationalisation in 1948. With the increase in popularity of the line with tourists, it was decided to improve the image of the company by using the name Tren Patagónico.

As part of a railway privatisation, during the presidency of Carlos Menem from 1991, a concession to operate the line was granted to the Provincial government and later transferred to SEFEPA in September 1993. Since then the quality of service offered has been considerably improved and, apart from its popularity with tourists, the line provides a vital service for people living along its length. From Viedma the line serves San Antonio Oeste, Valcheta, Ministro Ramos Mexía, Sierra Colorado, Los Munucos, Clemente Onelli, Maquinchao, Ingeniero Jacobacci, Comallo, Pilcaniyeu and San Carlos de Bariloche.

[edit] References

http://www.trenpatagonico-sa.com.ar/index.htm