La Trochita by junge1
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Description
A train of the narrow-gauge (750mm) Ferrocarril Roca's 'La Trochita' in the maintenance yard at El Maiten. The line starts at Ingeniero Jacobacci, Rio Negro Province and ends at Esquel, Chubut Province, a distance of 402km. In El Maiten are the maintenance yards.
In 1922, Ferrocarriles del Estado began work on the line, but due to poor route planning it didn't reach El Maiten until 1941 and Esquel in 1945. The project was started by the government for economic development and colonization to haul wool and other agricultural products.
Over the years trains were derailed several times by high winds or ice, and in 1979 a collision with a cow derailed the train at km 243.
The Belgian Baidwin and German Henschel engines refill their 4000-liter water tanks frequently and the trip took 14 hrs. The passenger cars, heated by wood stoves, and the freight cars, are dated from 1922.
As of 2006 the train operates twice a week between Esquel and El Maiten. There are plans to restore the entire line.
This train is mentioned in Paul Theroux's book 'The Old Patagonia Express'. This picture was taken in December 2003.
Thank you for viewing and the comments! Have a nice Sunday.
Comments (14)
Hendesse
This train has seen definitely better times. Interesting shot with great details. Excellently done!
bugatti
Yup, and I think Argentina is the only country in the world that has three trochas, gauges ...
Mousson
Increible que exista aun una maravilla como esta!
Ionel
Excellent capture!!!
billcody
Beautiful shot, high quality. Welldone!! And a superinteresting theme, of course. Thanks for sharing. 5+
vkoontz
Great write-up. Looks like a 0-8-0. American locomotives of the 1800's had "cow catchers" to prevent animals that might wander onto the tracks from derailing trains. The railroad had to compensate the owner for killed livestock that wandered onto the right of way.
artaddict2
The detail of the ageing and rust makes this a wonderful capture. I read with great interest, thanks for sharing this with us.
tallpindo
Man takes on the vagaries of a countryside with products from his hearth. Unlike buildings which are reused and last for centuries, transportation gets obsolete quickly and decays in less than one lifetime.
weesel
Great shot and great history. Thank you.
davlin1992
Beautiful shot. Where is this taken?
Richardphotos
excellent work on your part and the mountains are beautiful
RobyHermida
QUE TESORO NACIONAL!!!!!!! UNA MAQUINA CON SABOR ARGENTINO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Silgrin
402km of 750mm track?! They have a treasure! Hope they will restore it. I`m not sure if we have so much ng track surviving throughout the country!!
JeffG7BRJ
This looks in need of a little TLC(tender loving care) hope somebody comes along and gives it some. Great capture both the train and the landscape. Excellent work. Bravo!!!!!