South American Page

A report of a four week trip to Peru, Argentina and Uruguay undertaken from England in October / November 1999. For the report document click here!

Argentina

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TBA RSD16 ALCO 8448 is seen leaving the attractive station of Escobar with train 2514, the 11.12 from Zárate to Villa Ballester. Four Locos are needed on this section of track, often both TBA’s RSD16 are in use. Normally two or three ex RENFE DL535s can be found in action also. Photo taken on Thursday 4th November 1999

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TBA C655 (Ex RENFE 313.022) at Matheu with train 2020, the 14.17 local train to Victoria, a journey of 30km. The TBA passenger service on the line continues north to Capilla del Señor, a distance of 57km. Most trains are normally DL535 worked, though on of the GAIA Locally built Locos can sometimes been seen. Picture taken on Saturday 6th November 1999

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TBA DL535 ALCO D663 (Ex RENFE 313.044) is seen at Victoria on train 2025, the 16.25 to Capilla del Señor. The 57km Diesel service is normally worked by these Locos. However, one of the three diagrams can sometimes be a locally built GAIA type of Loco. This Loco is one of only a few that has crossed the Atlantic Ocean twice! Being built at Schenectady, working in Spain, then sold to Argentina. Picture taken on Monday 15th November 1999

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TBA DL535 ALCO D668 (Ex RENFE 313.006) is seen at Villa Ballester on a train Zárate to. The service is often worked by these Locos. However, some of the diagrams can sometimes be covered by either of TBA’s RSD16’s or a locally built GAIA type of Loco. Monday 15th November 1999

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Metropolitano TMR division G12 A612 is seen at Alejandro Korn on train 4944, the 15.18 departure to Glew, a journey of 10km. The small G12’s are very loud, not being fitted with any silencing at all. Local EMU’s connect at Glew to run into Buenos Aires. Taken on Friday 5th November 1999.

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Metropolitano TMR division G22 GM A703 is seen on train 2411 at Temperley for Bosques. There the train will renumber and continue to Plaza Constitución. In the rush hour these trains actually run in a complete circle. Taken on Monday 8th November 1999

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Metropolitano TMS division GT22 A915 is seen arriving at Retiro San Martín with a southbound local train. The service on this line runs north to Pilar. Trains are either worked by these ALCO RSD16’s or GM GT22’s. Sadly the line is very slow in operation. Trains run on an approximate fifteen-minute service during the week.

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Metropolitano TMS division RSD16 B814 is seen in the old red and yellow livery at Retiro San Martín with a northbound local train. The service on this line runs north to Pilar. Trains are either worked by these RSD16’s or GM GT22’s. Sadly the line is very slow in operation. Trains run on an approximate fifteen-minute service during the week. Tuesday 9th November 1999

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Metropolitano TMS division RSD16 B818 is seen at Retiro San Martín with a northbound local train. The service on this line runs north to Pilar. Trains are either worked by these RSD16’s or GM GT22’s. Sadly the line is very slow in operation. Trains run on an approximate fifteen-minute service during the week. Tuesday 9th November 1999

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Metropolitano TMB division narrow gauge GE U13 MF624 is seen at Puente Alsina with train 2316 the 10.29 from Aldo Bonzi. The 13km long branch has regular services. Trains seem to be always worked by the U13’s often those in poor condition and old red and yellow paintwork. The line passes through one of the very poor areas of Buenos Aires. Friday 12th November 1999

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Brazillian built U20 GE MF902 (ex F631), one of only two such Locos in use on the narrow gauge lines of the Metropolitano TMB division. These Locos tend to be used exclusively on the 30km Buenos Aires - González Catán service. It has just arrived at Buenos Aires terminal station with train 3372. Thursday 18th November 1999

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Belgrano Railway “Shovel Nose” 5725 is seen beside the small depot at Saldias just outside Retiro terminus station. Now a double-ended Loco, this was a rebuild from two single ended units! Fitted with a GE engine, unlike others that have an ALCO engine. Taken on Tuesday 9th November 1999.

Peru

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ENAFER DL532 481 is seen on train 31, the 06.25 from Cuzco San Pedro - Machu Picchu. The four hour journey 111km is spectacular, the climb from Cuzco uses five switchbacks to gain height, giving amazing views of the town. The very popular tourist line has up to three morning departures, and a local train. All but one are powered by little ALCO’s. Photo taken on Saturday 23rd October 1999

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ENAFER MLW built DL560 of 2400hp is seen on train 19, the 08.00 Puno - Cuzco Huanchac. The train currently runs four days a week, but should soon be daily. The journey is best from Cuzco, a long river valley is followed, this is then followed by a steep climb uphill. On this occasion the DL560 worked the train from Juliaca, have come there on the night train from Arequipa! Photo taken on Thursday 28th October 1999

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ENAFER JT26 type GM Loco 704 is seen under maintenance in the depot at Callao (Lima). Built in Brazil by Villares, fitted with a 16-645 engine on 3000hp. The Locos are employed on the steep line from Lima towards Huancayo, currently only used on freight trains. Photo taken on Friday 29th October 1999.

Uruguay

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AFE 1519 “shovel Nose” Loco at Montevideo on train 1205, the 18.00 departure to 25 de Agosto. One of about ten Locos still in use, out of 47 built between 1952-54. Currently normally at least one Loco can be found on commuter trains from Montevideo to 25 de Agosto, a 1 hour 50 minute journey for the 64 kilometres. Picture taken on Tuesday 2nd November 1999

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AFE 1519 “shovel Nose” Loco at Sayago on train 1205, the 18.00 departure to 25 de Agosto. One of about ten Locos still in use, out of 47 built between 1952-54. Currently normally at least one Loco can be found on commuter trains from Montevideo to 25 de Agosto, a 1 hour 50 minute journey for the 64 kilometres. Picture taken on Tuesday 2nd November 1999

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AFE 1519 “shovel Nose” Loco is seen arriving at Santa Lucia on train 1504, the 06.55 departure from 25 de Agosto to Montevideo. One of about ten Locos still in use, out of 47 built between 1952-54. Currently normally at least one Loco can be found on commuter trains from Montevideo to 25 de Agosto, 1 hour 50 minute journey for the 64 kilometres. Picture taken on Wednesday 3rd November 1999

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AFE 1519 “shovel Nose” Loco at Montevideo on train 1504, the 06.55 departure from 25 de Agosto to Montevideo. One of about ten Locos still in use, out of 47 built between 1952-54. Currently normally at least one Loco can be found on commuter trains from Montevideo to 25 de Agosto, a 1 hour 50 minute journey for the 64 kilometres. Picture taken on Wednesday 3rd November 1999

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