Buenos Aires Trains

Spend some time in Buenos Aires last week and rode some of the local trains. The city has an extensive suburban rail system, as well as an underground (Subte). The suburban system has some third rail, some overhead, but is mostly diesel hauled with further overhead electrification planned. All the trains I rode were filled to capacity, with some folks having to stand on some services. Rolling stock and physical plant is in somewhat of a sorry state and quite old: obviously no funds have been invested in the system for some time. There is no air conditioning and interestingly the doors to the coaches are left open while moving. The trains are like moving bazaars: folks coming through selling everything from drinks, food, CDs, socks(!) to fake Windows 8 OS discs. Traveling is incredibly inexpensive: a trip to La Plata, about 90 minutes, is 2 pesos and 10 centavos. About 50 US cents or 35 p UK.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Buenos Aires
• Trains
• Argentina
• GM
• locomotives
• LGR
• Retiro
• La Plata
• tren de la costa
• Tigre