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The End of the World Train is located in Ushuaia, Argentina, and combines prison history with stunning Patagonian landscapes.
In Ushuaia, the southernmost city on the planet, a steam locomotive travels seven kilometers between wooden stations, lenga forests, and crystal-clear rivers — carrying tourists along the same route that, in the early 20th century, was taken by prisoners sent to the most remote prison in Argentina. Officially called the Ferrocarril Austral Fueguino and known worldwide as the End of the World Train, the ride is one of the most sought-after in Patagonia and also serves as a gateway to Tierra del Fuego National Park.
From wooden tracks and oxen to restored locomotives: the origin of the railway
The history of this railway begins in 1902, when the construction of the Ushuaia penitentiary was underway under the supervision of engineer Catello Muratgia. To move materials through the region, a rudimentary railway was created: the tracks were wooden and the wagons were pushed by animals — oxen and horses — or by the prisoners themselves.
In 1910, this precarious structure was replaced by a more robust metal system, the Decauville model — a narrow-gauge railway that became the main link between the prison and the surrounding areas. With two locomotives, the prisoners were transported daily to fetch wood, stone, and other materials used in the construction of the city, including bridges and public buildings.
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The original route started from the city center, where the penitentiary was located, and reached the slopes of Mount Susana. It was a way to keep the prisoners occupied — and, at the same time, build an entire city at the cost of forced labor.
Closure, earthquake, and decades of abandonment
In 1947, during the government of Juan Domingo Perón, the penitentiary was closed for humanitarian reasons, under the management of Roberto Pettinato Sr., then National Director of Penal Institutions. Even so, the railway continued operating for some time, supplying local sawmills that depended on the transport of wood.
Two years later, in 1949, a strong earthquake shook Ushuaia and caused a landslide that destroyed sections of the tracks. The railway was abandoned and remained so for almost half a century — until, in the 1990s, interest in reviving that history began to gain momentum.
The rebirth of the End of the World Train as a tourist attraction
The reconstruction of the railway was made possible by the company Tranex Turismo SA, which invested in the historical and scenic potential of the route. On October 11, 1994, the so-called End of the World Train began to run again — this time, for tourists. Replicas of the old steam locomotives were built and the carriages were equipped with heating and an audio system in seven languages, including Portuguese.
According to the Guia Melhores Destinos, in 2024 there were five steam locomotives making the journey, with three departure times per day. Passengers can choose between two types of service: tourist class and first class, which includes onboard service.
What is the experience like aboard the End of the World Train?
According to the Guia Melhores Destinos, the journey begins on land, before boarding. The End of the World Station, built of wood and located about 8 to 10 km from the center of Ushuaia, functions as a small open-air museum: its spaces are decorated with historical objects related to the railway and the daily life of the prisoners. It is even possible to see through the window the workshop where the train parts are maintained.
Upon boarding, each passenger receives a headset to listen to narrations about the landscape and the history of the region. The train moves at a slow pace — which favors contemplation — while the windows frame the Río Pipo and a lenga forest, a tree species characteristic of the Argentine Patagonia.
Midway through the journey, a stop is made at La Macarena Station (or Macarena), considered the best spot for photographs with the locomotive. Visitors have a few minutes to cross the tracks and climb a short staircase that leads to a small waterfall that gives the station its name — the descent is quick and accessible for most visitors.
At the end, the train enters the Tierra del Fuego National Park. At this point, the visitor decides: disembark and explore the park on foot or by other means, or return to the initial station from which they departed — which doubles the total travel time, as the one-way journey alone takes approximately one hour.
Practical information for planning the visit
Before embarking, some practical details make a difference in planning:
- Tickets: in March 2024, the tour cost approximately R$ 170 for Brazilian tourists — prices in Argentina vary frequently
- Park entrance: even those who choose not to disembark at Tierra del Fuego National Park need to purchase the entrance ticket, which is sold at the same station counter
- Schedules: there are three daily departures from the End of the World Station
- Duration: about one hour for the outbound journey, with the possibility of returning by train or staying in the park
- Available languages: audio narrations are available in seven languages, including Portuguese
- Suitable for families: the tour is accessible for all ages and does not require physical preparation
Those who want to deepen their knowledge about the history of the Ushuaia penitentiary can complement the tour with a visit to the Maritime and Prison Museum of the End of the World, also in the city.
Today, the train also incorporates a “touch of humor” in the experience: actors dressed in striped uniforms — a reference to the attire of the former prisoners — pose for photos with visitors along the route, with the images being offered printed at the end of the tour.
With information from Portal 6, El Tren Del Fin Del Mundo, Guia Melhores Destinos
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