Buenos Aires' narrow trail. Threw the out back of Argentina

Argentina has a rich railway related history. It couldn’t be either way in such a large country specializing its economy in exporting cereals and meat. The latest years of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th up till the proliferation of automobiles and trucks, Argentina wouldn’t have existed nor developed if it wasn’t for the superb railway system built jointly with British and French companies -the foremost experienced countries within this field.

Among the famous railway stories in Argentina is the outstanding and chick Trochita that took us in a journey of history, culture, pleasure and outstanding landscapes, throughout the Patagonia.

However this was not the only narrow trail train in the country. In 1906 a joint venture of French & Belgium capitals acquired a former Argentinean train company owned by De Bruyn and Otamendi. It was a 1,000 mm narrow trail train that run from Buenos Aires to Rosario, from Pergamino to Vedia, from Patricios to Victorino de la Plaza & from González Catán to La Plata. It was the Companía General de Ferrocarriles de la Provincia de Buenos Aires -Buenos Aires Province Railway General Company- also known as CGBA.

Initially this huge project was carried on combining local prime materials such as the hard wood and steal for the railways as well as local workers with a primarily and initially foreign management as well as imported technical material specially due to the fact that the local industries were not producing technological goods. From insulators such as the 1099 Isorex, CD 435 that can be appreciated on top of the poles and by the station, to steam and gas powered locomotives all of these things were brought from abroad especially from France and Belgium. For over 40 years the CGBA was the thread putting together families, workers, supplies, knitting the web of our nation.

Some of the most famous locomotives that drove these trains throughout endless towns and cities were the German Werkspoor DEB-600 and the British The Whitcomb 70-DE-30.

The journey can be done today at some extent, for most of the railroads were left in oblivion during the 70s when auto transportation out placed the railway system. Non of the stations and trails were demolished or taken out of place, they stand upon still as a dusted memoir of a once upon a time country. Such is the case of Moll, a vintage open air museum of the greatness of ancient machinery and appliances. Their lasting throughout time -a miracle if looked from a world made with disposable items-. Possible to visit and discover one of a kind stories and items when chatting with locals, eager to relate their glorious past.