At the far southern edge of South America, where forests thin and mountains give way to wind and sea, a historic steam railway traces one of Patagonia’s most evocative journeys. The Tren del Fin del Mundo, also known as the End of the World Train, offers travelers a rare opportunity to experience the romance, history, and raw beauty of Tierra del Fuego by rail.
Located just outside Ushuaia, this narrow-gauge railway is widely regarded as the southernmost railway in the world — and for many, it represents the perfect final chapter of a Patagonian journey.
The railway’s origins date back to 1909, when it was built to serve Ushuaia’s former penal colony. Prisoners were transported by rail into the surrounding forests to harvest timber, following a route that cut through valleys, peat bogs, and lenga woodland.
Today, the line — formally known as the Ferrocarril Austral Fueguino (FAF) — has been carefully restored. Replica steam locomotives now retrace the original path, transforming a once utilitarian railway into a moving tribute to Patagonia’s layered history.
The journey begins at the End of the World Station, where the steam locomotive eases into motion with a familiar rhythm that recalls a bygone era of travel. As the train departs Ushuaia, passengers are treated to sweeping views of forests, rivers, and distant peaks of the Southern Andes.
A short stop at La Macarena Station provides panoramic views over the surrounding landscape — a quiet moment to appreciate the vastness and isolation that define Tierra del Fuego.
The line continues to the National Park Station, the gateway to Tierra del Fuego National Park, where trails wind through pristine forest and along rugged coastal inlets shaped by glaciers and time.
More than a scenic ride, the Tren del Fin del Mundo is a deeply atmospheric experience. The scent of steam and wood, the gentle sway of the carriages, and the silence of the surrounding wilderness invite travelers to slow down and reflect.
Unlike many modern attractions, this railway has retained its authenticity. It does not overwhelm — it rewards attention. Each curve of the track reveals another reminder of Patagonia’s resilience and the enduring appeal of rail travel done properly.
For travelers exploring Patagonia by land, the End of the World Train feels like a natural conclusion — where the continent itself seems to pause. Standing at the end of the line, surrounded by forest and mountains, there is a quiet sense of completion.
It is here, at the southern edge of the Americas, that rail travel regains its original meaning: connection, contemplation, and continuity with the past.
A cosy moment aboard the Tren del Fin del Mundo — my tour group relaxing in the warm, wood-lined carriage, sunlight streaming through the windows as the Patagonian landscape drifts quietly past at the end of the world.
Interested in Patagonia’s great rail journeys?
The Tren del Fin del Mundo forms the final rail experience of our Patagonian Rail & Wilderness Expedition, an immersive journey across Argentina and Chile designed for travelers who value heritage, comfort, and meaningful exploration.
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