In Chile during the second half of the 19th century, the construction of the railroad was considered the highest expression of progress. Many Chilean writers have written about the railroad and the trains. including Pablo Neruda. In 1913, the Puerto Varas Train Station was inaugurated, conceived as one of the largest in southern Chile, since its main activity was the transport of cattle. The station closed in 1997during the dictatorship that cut the budget of the State Railway Company (EFE)/As of 2022 there is a proposal to resurrect train service.