The new train service over the river Neuquen bridge Picture: Railway Gazette International

Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez inaugurated the Tren del Valle last month, a new six-mile long rail service connecting Neuquen with Cipolletti in Rio Negro province.

The service is being operated by state-owned Trenes Argentinos following the reversal of rail privatisation earlier this year.

The first passenger services to run on this route for 22 years are operated with two diesel multiple units purchased from the Argentinian company Materfer for £1.3 million.

With 90% Argentinian content, the two-car units are powered by 400 hp Scania engines and each air-conditioned trainset has 140 seats.

Restoration of passenger services to the Neuquen-Cipolletti route has also involved a programme of station refurbishment, track renewals and reinforcing a bridge over the River Neuquén at a cost of £35 million.

Additional staff have been recruited to supervise the 10 level crossings.

The national SUBE smart card is now valid for travel on the new service, and the government reports that 3,000 cards have been sold at Neuquen and Cipolletti stations.

In 2014, several other railway projects were approved for the Río Negro and Neuquen provinces to reactivate passenger services.

Passenger services throughout South America collapsed in the 1990s after disastrous USA-sponsored neo-liberal economists wrecked the South America’s extensive passenger railway network. Catastrophic closures took place and infrastructure deteriorated.