The SFW was founded in 1883 by Carlos Casado del Alisal (the first president of the Provincial Bank of Santa Fe), with the goal of bringing the agricultural wealth of the region to the Port of Rosario on the Paraná River.

[1] The terminus of this 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm), broad gauge railway was (Rosario Oeste Santafesino Station), located in the southeast of the city of Rosario, within present-day Parque Urquiza.

The railway was then extended towards the south of Córdoba Province, reaching Cruz Alta.

was renamed "Rosario Este", dedicated exclusively to freight transport and cattle.

[2] Part of the line is currently run by private company Nuevo Central Argentino that operates freight services.