San Carlos de Bariloche vintage train

San Carlos de Bariloche: A vintage train operated here for some years but Fabrice Lanoue reported in 2011 that it was suspended. By 2012, the track outside the shed had been torn up, reports Richard Wallace, allegedly as part of a dispute involving unpaid bills by the operator (17th December 2012).

In May 2015, I received the following message (no doubt with the help of Google Translate) from Héctor Cassano:

"La Trochita Ing. Jacobacci workshops are having a very special restoration work. Broad gauge North British BAP Nº 121 from 1912 is ready at 80%, sharing space with the smalls Class 75H and 75B."

During February 2003 this departed at 10.30 every Wednesday and Sunday, the loco being FCNSM 2-8-0 no. 121 (North British, 1912) and the coaches British-built and splendidly restored of similar vintage. The trip runs to the station at Los Juncos (also known as Moreno), for a lengthy lunch stop. Return departure (tender first) is at around 17.30. The organisers plan to run at least once a week throughout the year (including Bariloche’s winter sports season), so long as sufficient passengers are forthcoming. David Winfield (8th June 2003) points out that their is a web page supporting this operation http://www.patagonia-argentina.com/i/content/trenavapor.htm although it does not carry operating dates, times etc.

Latin Tracks digest reports 2nd March 2001: "Bariloche steam train services to start in March. Steam loco No. 121, a 1913 ex-Buenos Aires al Pacífico North British built 2-8-0 arrived in Bariloche after having received a functional restoration. The loco and some rather tatty wooden bodied passenger cars will start operating a 30 kilometer long steam powered tourist train service between Bariloche, a major tourist resort, and Perito Moreno station, on the Carmen de Patagones-Bariloche line operated by Servicios Ferroviarios Patagónicos (Patagonian Rail Services - Sefepa). The steam train is to be marketed by Trenes Turísticos Argentinos (Argentine Tourist Trains)." By September 2001 the digest reported. "The Bariloche steam train's first commercial outing was mired when the loco broke down at Perito Moreno station, 40 kilometers from Bariloche. The train was originally scheduled to leave Bariloche at 2 PM, but due to mechanical problems finally left at 5 PM carrying around 70 paying passengers. Three hours later, at close to 8 PM, the loco gave up the ghost and could not raise steam pressure. The angry and frozen passengers were brought back by bus and had their fares reimbursed." 

I have some (static) pictures of the Bariloche site from Geoff Dimmick (21st June 2004), this operation deserves better publicity.....