First Railway Line Opens in Chile

On June 13, 1846, the first railway in Chile and one of the earliest in South America commenced service on the 25-mile line connecting the port of Caldera to the mining town of Copiapó. Engineered by British contractors using 4-4-0 locomotives imported from the United States, the line overcame challenging desert terrain and steep grades to transport copper ore and passengers. This project, financed by local mining interests, demonstrated the transformative power of rail for resource extraction economies and inspired further expansion across Latin America. Its success highlighted engineering adaptations to arid conditions and laid groundwork for Chile's extensive nitrate and copper rail networks.