Beautiful country's huge maze of train lines that's shrunk by 11k miles

Argentina's railway network, which underwent a remarkable transformation between 1880 and 1915, was once the longest rail network in South America and the eighth longest in the world at that time, at a staggering 22,251 miles (35,809 kilometers).

Modern efforts to modernise its lines have left travellers excitied at the prospect of a more affordable and reliable mode of transportation.

At the time of expansion, the railroads played a crucial role in Argentina's economic development and national consolidation, enabling the country to become a major exporter of wheat, beef, and other agricultural products.

The development of the Argentine railways was primarily driven by British companies.

These companies were granted concessions by the Argentine government due to their technical expertise and their ability to raise large sums of money on the London market to finance the construction.

However, after decades of prosperity, the Argentine railway network has since fallen into decline. The rise in highway construction led to a sharp decrease in railway profitability, resulting in the 1993 breakup of the state railroad corporation, Ferrocarriles Argentinos (FA). Following privatization, private and provincial railway companies revived some major passenger routes previously operated by FA.

Dissatisfaction with private management led to the national government re-nationalizing some railways starting in 2012, following the Once Tragedy. The government formed Operadora Ferroviaria Sociedad del Estado (SOFSE) to manage these lines and began significant investments in the railway system. By 2015, the government had revived Ferrocarriles Argentinos as Nuevos Ferrocarriles Argentinos.

Despite the network shrinking to 17,866 km (11,101 miles) by 2018, it remains the 16th largest in the world and plays a crucial role in Argentina's freight and passenger transport. Trenes Argentinos Cargas has restarted freight services on a 158 km section of the Belgrano Cargas metre-gauge network after a decade-long hiatus.

The railroads were instrumental in facilitating the movement of goods and people across the vast country, contributing significantly to Argentina's emergence as a significant player in the global agricultural market.

The efficient transport system provided by the railways allowed for the rapid and economical movement of Argentina's rich agricultural produce to ports for export, thus boosting the country's economy and integration into the global trade system.

Efforts to modernize the railway system continue. Argentina's Minister of Transport Alexis Guerrera and the President of Trenes Argentinos Infraestructura Martin Marinucci signed three MoUs with representatives of China for major rail projects as part of Argentina's Rail Modernisation Plan.

The return of trains has been met with enthusiasm by passengers, as it provides an affordable and reliable mode of transportation. Trains connect remote areas to major cities, offering a lifeline for business, medical appointments, and family visits.