Heritage on wheels: AGUNSA transports century-old railcars to the Railway Museum of Santiago

Santiago, July 2025 – In a high-value heritage logistics operation, AGUNSA led the transport of four century-old passenger railcars from the Antofagasta Region to the Railway Museum of Santiago, located in Quinta Normal Park. These railcars, built between 1903 and 1907 in England, were part of the historic Antofagasta-Bolivia Railway (FCAB) and are now part of the museum’s permanent collection.

The operation involved four transport units composed of trucks and semi-trailers, including drop deck units authorized by the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) for up to 28 tons, and extendable semi-trailers with a capacity of 14 tons per axle. This configuration allowed the transport to be adapted to the dimensions and weight of each railcar, ensuring a safe and efficient journey.

Given the high historical value of the pieces, AGUNSA’s special cargo team designed a custom lashing and stowage plan, taking into account the structural characteristics of each railcar and the logistical challenges of the route. This planning was key to preserving the integrity of the vehicles during the five-day journey along the Pan-American Highway North.

Throughout the trip, the cargo was monitored in real time using the TMS Unigis platform, enabling detailed tracking and timely response to any eventuality. This technological tool was essential to ensure traceability and control of the logistics process.

Although AGUNSA has extensive experience in transporting special cargo for major companies in the country, this operation marked a historic milestone: the first time the company has undertaken a transport with such significant heritage responsibility.

The transported railcars include a first-class car, a second-class car, a single-class car, and a dining car, which will be converted into a museum café. Their addition represents the largest expansion of the Railway Museum’s exhibit since its founding in 1984.