Posadas-Encarnación International Train

The Posadas–Encarnación International Train is a 8 km commuter rail international service operated between Posadas in Argentina and Encarnación in Paraguay, running on standard gauge tracks. The service was opened in January 2014. Trains run from Monday until Saturday every 30 minutes with the first train departing at 7:15 am in Posadas and the last one leaving Encarnacion at 6:30 pm. The train crosses the San Roque González de Santa Cruz Bridge which joins the two countries together and has an average journey time of 10 minutes with a 30-minute frequency

The current rolling stock consists of two-carriage diesel-hydraulic railcars originally called “Wadloper”, built between 1981 and 1983 by German company Duewag for the Dutch railway company Nederlandse Spoorwegen, and have a capacity to carry 250 people. The railway is currently the only scheduled international rail link in South America. Freight and ad hoc tourist trains exist elsewhere.

Paraguayan Side

I reached this point after travelling non stop for nearly 3 days, with a 36 hour boat journey down the Rio Paraguay (details here) and 2 bus journeys. The station is small but close to a market and cafe’s. Ticket purchasing was straightforward and all passport controls are dealt with on the Argentinian side.

Argentinian Side

After a short and pleasant trip I was back in Argentina and this was the last border crossing of this South American expedition. Passport controls were dealt with by Argentina so no exit stamp from Paraguay unfortunately. Everything however was smooth and efficient, although the station itself is on the edge of Posadas which meant an onward taxi journey.

Outside the station it was straightforward to observe the road crossing controls.

Most border crossings are relaxed in South America however I was told off for taking this photograph.

View from the train – Argentinian border and customs control.

Old Train Station

The historic Posadas train station in Misiones, Argentina opened in 1913. Closed in 2008, the English-style brick building was later transformed into a cultural centre. La Misionerita is a historic steam locomotive permanently displayed as a cultural monument, it was built in the UK in 1910 and was used on cross border services.