Once a bustling hub of activity, the Ex Estación Dique Luján now stands as a silent testament to a bygone era. This former train station whispers stories of ambitious dreams and the echoes of a community’s past.
Ex Estación Dique Luján is located in the town of Dique Luján in Buenos Aires Province. It was once a part of the Ferrocarril General Bartolomé Mitre railway. Today, it is a disused station.
In 1914, the construction of the railway branch line connecting the Luján River with the Ferrocarril Central Argentino tracks was completed. This project was made possible by a donation of land from Don Benito Villanueva. Villanueva envisioned creating a “Ciudad Delta,” an Argentine Venice. He hired engineer Saturnino de Ortúzar to design a series of canals. These canals are still visible among the lush island vegetation.
Villanueva planned to establish a fruit port and dry dock in Dique Luján. However, these were later moved to Tigre. The land for the new railway station was in a flood-prone area. To prepare the site, workers extracted earth creating a large quarry. This quarry became known as “EL DIQUE DEL LUJAN” due to its proximity to the Luján River. Consequently, the new railway station adopted the name “DIQUE LUJÁN.”
On October 12, 1914, the existing quarry was opened to the waters of the Luján River, thus creating a body of water. In commemoration of this day, the main street of Dique Luján was named “12 de Octubre.” Villanueva intended to use the railway to develop a new urban area called Ciudad del Delta. He addressed flooding by constructing canals like Villanueva, Los Sauces, and others. Yet, the inhospitable environment hindered the realization of Ciudad del Delta for many years.
The fruit port project in Dique Luján never materialized. Villanueva died in 1933. A processing plant for formio remained in the Dique Luján area. The original plan involved railway tracks crossing the Luján River connecting the Paraná Delta with Dique Luján.
As the island area grew with mini-tourism, Dique Luján evolved into a town of weekend homes. Its unique and charming landscape seemed frozen in time. Neighbors knew each other and security was high.
Ex Estación Dique Luján served both passenger and cargo trains. Passenger services suffered from low ridership. Cargo services transported goods to the Paraná Delta residents via boats.
In 1958, scenes from the movie “EL HOMBRE QUE HIZO EL MILAGRO” starring Luis Sandrini were filmed at the station’s platforms.
On November 12, 1967, the railway branch line connecting Ingeniero Maschwitz with Dique Luján was temporarily suspended. This decision was made by the authorities of Ferrocarriles Argentinos during General Onganía’s de facto government. A group of residents led by Federico Schneider requested the paving of the road from Ingeniero Maschwitz. This was due to the isolation caused by the railway crisis.
In 1969, the railway branch line between Maschwitz and Dique Luján was permanently closed. The terminal station in Dique Luján fell into disrepair. In late December 1969, Juan Fernando Sánchez, his wife Helvecia Carmona, and their son Daniel Fernando Sánchez arrived at the station. Daniel Fernando Sánchez later became a prominent artist.
Between 1970 and 1971, the railway tracks were removed from Dique Luján to Ing. Maschwitz. Locals called this stretch the “dead track.”
Today, as you stand before the Ex Estación Dique Luján, imagine the trains arriving. Hear the sounds of passengers disembarking and vendors hawking their wares. Feel the pulse of a community connected by rail. Though silent now, its story endures. It reminds us of grand visions, community spirit, and the passage of time.