Argentina August/September 1996

Manfred Schoeler has sent me this short report::

He visited from 24.8. to 13.9.1996

Viejo Expreso Patagonico "La Trochita" (Ing. Jacobacci - El Maiten - Esquel)

The section El Maiten - Esquel is now a tourist atraction of Chubut Province. The 31 railwaymen are now employed by the Province. For service and personal costs the province made 2 Mio$ avaiable to "La Trochita".

Timetable during winter

1. Servicio publico:

Wednesday 1100 El Maiten ----> Esquel 1715
Thursday 1100 Esquel ----> El Maiten 1715

Fare: 15,- $ one way

2. Servicio turistico regular:

Esquel - Nahuel Pan - Esquel

Saturday 1400 dep. Esquel

Fare: 15,- $

This service only runs if there are enough passengers.

More information

Viejo Expreso Patagonico Telefax 0945-95190
"La Trochita"
Oficina Central El Maiten
Pellegrini 841
El Maiten
CHUBUT / ARGENTINA

Serviceable locos (end of August 1996) were:
Baldwin 4, 6, 16 (El Maiten)

Henschel 114 (Esquel)
101 (El Maiten)

Both Henschels 105 and 107 are under repair

The train to Esquel (28.8.) and back (29.8.) was hauled by Baldwin No. 6. The Saturday train Esquel - Nahuel Pan - Esquel ran with Henschel 114 on 31.8.

RFIRT

Trafic was down to one pair of trains at beginning of September. Most departures were in the evening (around sunset or later) and arrivals at their destination was during morning hours. The first 3 from 5 expected diesel locos arrived at Rio Gallegos and spoiled the steam scene badly! If traffic levels are low then all trains are diesel. Only loaded trains from Rio Turbio to the new deep-water harbour at Porto Puerto Loyola had a steam loco behind to support the diesel to brake the 60 wagons. Trains to Loyola had the following composition:

diesel + tank wagon + steam loco + tank wagon + 60 loaded wagons

Trains to Rio Turbio were diesel only. So each day in late afternoon there is a light engine going up to Rio Turbio. Steam trains were possible if level of traffic was more than one pair of trains per day.

Locos in use: September 1996

Diesel: 001 / 002 / 003

Steam: 104 / 105 / 107 / 108 / 109 / 113 / 120

Steam duties are:

1 shunter at Porto Puerto Loyola
- 1 shunter at Rio Turbio
- 1 shunter Rio Gallegos shed
- "brake loco" for loaded diesel trains
- additional trains if required

Steam on the line

Diesel 002 and 110 as brake loco are waiting (why ? ) at km 52 for departure to Pt. Loyola (9.9.1996)

Waiting for the road

Diesel 002 and 120 as shunter for Pt. Loyola with a loaded coal train on the new line to Pt. Loyola (9.9.1996)

Observed trains:

day	loco	place and time	destination
3.9.	109	1800 at km 187	---> Loyola
4.9	diesel + 107	after sunset dep. RTB	---> Loyola
4.9	113	18.30 at Puerto Blanco	---> Rio Turbio
5.9	107	after sunset dep. RTB	---> Loyola
6.9	diesel	arr.RTB 1000	---> Rio Turbio
6.9	107	1800 light engine at km 52	---> Rio Turbio
9.9	diesel +	1130 at km 52	---> Loyola (1530)
10.9	diesel +	1830 at Puerto Blanco	---> Loyola

Traffic on 11 and 12.9 according to the diagram of train control

001	Loyola 1500	---> Rio Turbio
002	Loyola 2000	---> Rio Turbio
110	Loyola 2100	---> Rio Turbio
113	Loyola 0030	---> Rio Turbio

Information: "control trenes",Tel. / Fax.: 20874

Adress of YCF:

YCF
Gerencia Rio Gallegos
Gobernador Lista 798
Rio Gallegos
Prov. Santa Cruz / ARGENTINA