New Santiago-Chillan trains: authorities present the first of South America's fastest engines

[Judi Lynn]

Last edited Tue Apr 25, 2023, 02:30 AM - Edit history (1)

APRIL 23, 2023

The new trains will provide coverage to four regions. They are expected to be in operation during the second half of this year.

As part of the President’s Trains for Chile commitment, the Transport and Telecommunications Minister, Juan Carlos Muñoz, together with the president of the State Railway Company (EFE) board of directors, Eric Martin, have presented the first two of a total of six modern trains. The trains will revitalize the Santiago-Chillán service, reducing transfer times between the two cities by 80 minutes.

"I received the mandate from President Gabriel Boric to update the story of our country’s railways, providing more trains and better infrastructure. This is a task that we are committed to and is in line with the EFE’s modernization plan,” Juan Carlos Muñoz, Transport and Telecommunications Minister.

The new engines will be the fastest and most modern in South America. They will form part of the country’s only long-distance train service that currently runs regularly. The new trains are part of a total US$70 million investment that EFE has allocated to the new railway engines. The trains are made in China by CRRC Sifang. The new trains will undergo calibration and testing for an estimated six-month period. This will allow them to come into operation during the second half of 2023.

Details about the new Chillán-Santiago trains
With a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour, these Chinese trains will connect the Metropolitan Region with Chillán. The journey will take 3 hours 40 minutes, 80 minutes less than the current train service.

More:
https://www.gob.cl/en/news/new-santiago-chillan-trains-authorities-present-the-first-of-south-americas-fastest-engines/

(160 kilometers per hour are equal to 99.4221 miles per hour)

[SharonAnn]

1. Oh, wow! I'm actually planning to go back to Chile for a visit and wanted to got to Chillan and

south. I was concerned about how long it would take to drive it.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Chile is so LONG! The distance between Santiago and Chillan on a map doesn't look so far!

According to this article, if you can drive around 100 mph, you can make it in 3 hours and 40 minutes!

I've heard from people who've been there Chile is a beautiful country! Lucky you!