Virtual Railfan Tour - Argentina 1984 - General Mitre

 

In November 1984 I was part a Canadian government railway mission to Argentina, as well as Paraguay and Uruguay.  During this visit we did not leave Buenos Aires and there was only time to visit some of the large terminal stations. Our hosts were very kind and I was given this small plate which commemorates La Portena, the first locomotive in Argentina.  I believe it still exists. Built by the British firm E.B. Wilson, it worked the first train on 29 August 1857.

This is the Retiro station of the Ferrocarril General Bartolme Mitre railway built to a gauge of 5' 6".



Not much attention was paid to weed control

Although the locomotives looked North American the signalling was of British origin.

There was plenty of room under cover for this preserved locomotive.





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