Railways in

Chile

A train of FCAB between San Pedro and Ascatan, San Pedro volcano in the background.
The locomotives are EMD GT22CU-3 2403 and 2406, and EMD/Clyde GL26C-2 2008

The first railway in Chile opened in 1851 between between Caldera and Copiapó, a distance of about 80 km. It was not, as claimed by some, the first railway in Latin America (that was in Cuba), nor the first railway on the South American continent (that was in Guyana).

The first Chilean line was built to standard (1435mm) gauge. Subsequent railway development in the country used a variety of gauges, mostly 1676mm but also a large amount of metre, 1067mm and other gauges. The 1676mm (5ft 6in) gauge is sufficiently close to Iberian (1668mm) gauge to permit the use of second-hand Spanish locomotives and rolling stock in some cases.

There are metre gauge international freight connections with Argentina at Soconpa and with Bolivia at Ollagüe. A separate metre gauge line from Arica to a connection with the Bolivian Bolivia at Visviri, out of for much of the early 21st century, was restored to operation in 2021. An isolated standard gauge line, operated by a Peruvian company, connects Arica with Tacna in Peru.

In 2019, a feasibility study was initiated for a new 127km standard gauge railway connecting Santiago and Valparaíso, giving enhanced capacity and improved transit times. It would be privately funded.

Also in 2019, proposals emerged for a new 61km standard gauge commuter railway between Alameda and Melipilla, as well as various other enhancements to passenger services in the conurbations.

Santiago and Valparaíso both have modern metro systems.

• EFE the national carrier, offering freight, passenger and dedicated tourist services (Site in Spanish)
• FCAB freight operator in the Antofagasta area, and the international connection with Bolivia at Ollagüe (Site in Spanish)
• Fepasa freight operator in the Valparaiso and Los Lagos areas (Site in Spanish)
• Ferronor freight operator in the northern region, with international services to Argentina (Site in Spanish)
• Transap freight operator carrying hazardous chemicals to the ports of San Antonio and Concepción (Site under construction when last checked)
• Tren Valparaíso-Santiago proposed new railway (Site in Spanish)
• Codelco has a private railway connecting its mines at El Tentiente with the ore processing facilities (11km - of which 7km are underground - standard gauge, electrified) (Website contains no information relating to railway)
• Ferrocarril Tacna Arica standard gauge cross-border line with Peru. Passenger and freight services operate
• Santiago
  • Metro (Site in Spanish)
  • Proposed trams (No website located at present)
• La Serena - Coquimbo proposed trams (No website located at present)
• Valparaíso
  • Metro (Site in Spanish, link for autotranslation to English not fully functional when last checked)
  • Funiculars (Unofficial site in Spanish)
• Iquique replica historic trams (No website located at present)

© 2006-2021 Glyn Williams
Flag image from CIA World Factbook
Photo image by Kabelleger / David Gubler from Wikimedia Commons