Santa Fe Western Railway
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 1883 |
| Founder | Carlos Casado del Alisal |
| Defunct | 1900 |
| Fate | Acquired by Central Argentine Railway |
| Headquarters | Argentina |
Area served | Southern Santa Fe Province, Argentina |
| Products | Railway transport (passenger and freight) |
The Santa Fe Western Railway (SFW), known in Spanish as Ferrocarril Oeste Santafesino, was an Argentine rail enterprise that became part of the British-owned Central Argentine Railway in 1900. Its operations were mainly concentrated in the southern area of Santa Fe Province.
History
Established in 1883 by Carlos Casado del Alisal, who was also the inaugural president of the Provincial Bank of Santa Fe, the primary objective of the SFW was to facilitate the transport of agricultural goods from the region to the Port of Rosario situated on the Paraná River.
This broad gauge () railway concluded at (Rosario Oeste Santafesino Station), located in southeastern Rosario close to what is now Parque Urquiza. The route extended westward along the current Pellegrini Avenue, then veered southwest after Oroño Boulevard along Godoy Avenue, ultimately arriving at Casilda, formerly known as "Colonia Candelaria." The line was subsequently prolonged into southern Córdoba Province, reaching Cruz Alta. Numerous towns were founded along this corridor under the railway company's initiative.
After its acquisition by Central Argentine, passenger operations were transferred to Rosario Central Station, while Rosario Oeste Santafesino was renamed "Rosario Este" and repurposed exclusively for freight and livestock transportation. Additionally, a new railway alignment replaced the tracks that had previously run through city streets.
Currently, a portion of the initial railway is utilized by the private firm Nuevo Central Argentino for freight hauling.
External links
- Nuevo Central Argentino, freight transport operator