Doubtlessly, the arrival of the railway changed the history of San Rafael after waiting for months and months. However, many people thought that only Colonia Francesa would benefit with this arrival as Municipal authorities had moved from the old village to the new head village.
The Los Andes newspaper from Mendoza, announced on 17 October 1903 the definite date of the opening of this new branch of the railways, which eventually happened on 8 November of the same year.