Owing to its location on the immediate leeward side of the Andes, Esquel has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb), though it is much more continental than the more classic Mediterranean zones of central Chile, and frosts and even snow are common in the winter months from April to September.
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Another important tourist attraction is the narrow-gauge train (with 75 cm between the rails), known as La Trochita locally and in English as The Old Patagonian Express, after the book by Paul Theroux.
The Council's current chairman is Marjorie Yang, who is chairman of the Esquel Group.The Council's current vice-chairman is Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, who is Chairman and CEO of Ayala Corporation.
The line is in possession of 22 steam locomotives, 11 Henschel and 11 Baldwins 2-8-2 "Mikado" type locomotives, 7 of which are currently operable, 2 Baldwin and 3 Henschel in the Maitén - Esquel section, and 2 Baldwin locomotives in the Jacobacci section.