Servicios Ferroviarios del Chaco
| Company type | Government-owned company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railway transport |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Defunct | 2010 |
| Fate | Dissolved; functions assumed by Government of Argentina |
| Headquarters | Argentina |
Area served | Chaco Province, Argentina |
| Products | Passenger train services |
Servicios Ferroviarios del Chaco S.A. (abbreviated as SEFECHA), which translates to "Chaco Railway Services" in English, was a government-owned railway enterprise providing passenger train operations within Argentina's Chaco Province. These rail services were originally administered by the national entity Ferrocarriles Argentinos following the 1948 nationalization of the railways.
History
In the course of the railway privatization process initiated under President Carlos Menem, the administration of certain rail services was delegated to the Chaco Province government in 1992. Subsequently, these responsibilities were assigned to "Servicios Ferroviarios del Chaco" (SEFECHA), which commenced its operations in 1997.
The provincial government undertook restoration efforts on multiple regional lines, beginning with the Cacuí-La Sabana route, which reopened in December 1997 utilizing German-built MAN railcars.
By March 1998, SEFECHA had introduced a new service connecting Sáenz Peña and Taco Pozo, operating three trains weekly along a 319 km stretch passing through northern Santiago del Estero Province. That same year saw the reopening of the 190 km branch between Sáenz Peña and Chorotis.
The Metropolitano line, running from Cacuí through Resistencia to Barranqueras, recommenced operations in August 1999 with upgraded Ferrostaal rolling stock.
In May 2010, the Government of Argentina assumed control over SEFECHA’s functions and subsequently disbanded the company. The passenger routes previously managed by SEFECHA, alongside those operated by Tren de las Sierras in Córdoba Province, represent the sole remaining ex-General Manuel Belgrano Railway passenger services active within Argentina’s interior regions.
Services
Prior to its dissolution in 2010, SEFECHA managed two primary services:
| Province/s | Cities served | Distance (km) | Rolling stock | Original company |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaco, Santa Fe | Resistencia – Los Amores | 153 | MAN | Provincial de Santa Fe |
| Chaco | Roque Sáenz Peña – Chorotis | 185 | Ferrostaal | Central Norte |