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Rail transport in Uruguay

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Schematic map of the railway network in Uruguay

The Uruguayan railway network has approximately 2900 km of lines, all of gauge 1435 mm, diesel traction and only 11 km of double track. Half of the network is closed, freight trains circulating branches in Montevideo - Rivera - Livramento , Piedra Sola - Three Trees , Sayago - Minas , Verdum-Plant ANCAP, Carnelli-La Teja, Chamberlain - Paysandu - Salto - Concordia and Algorta - Fray Bentos . We work to reopen August 25 - San Jose -Ombucitos, having reopened the stretch to San Jose for passenger services in December 2006.

History

The work of building the first railway line in Uruguay began April 25, 1867, a branch between Paso del Molino and Cerro which consisted horse-drawn train. The national "Ferrocarril Central" had obtained the concession for the laying of tracks to Durazno, 205 km from Montevideo. However, for more than a decade they had submitted projects to no avail. The first 18 km branch between Bella Vista and Las Piedras, was inaugurated on 1 January 1869. To continue the extension of the line and due to lack of capital in the country, many loans were contracted in London, where, as a control, a directory was established. Due to financial problems and high costs of the national administration, the British acquired the majority stake. The Central Uruguay Railway, the largest British companies operating in the country, was formally born on 1 January 1878. By this time several several companies had appeared, although they were started by national capitals, they ended under British control as of not finding capital in the country to complete the works.

Locomotive GE C18-7i # 2002 of SLA in track upgrading in Río Branco, Uruguay

Nationalization

Main article: Administración de Ferrocarriles del Estado

Following what was then a worldwide trend, the private companies were nationalised in 1948, the parliament approved the projects for the acquisition of foreign railroads, charging and part of the debt of 17 billion pounds that the UK had with Uruguay because of purchases made during the Second World War.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rail transport in Uruguay.

References

  1. Ferrocarriles del Uruguay (In Spanish)