TrainWeb.org Facebook Page
The Ultimate Steam Page

The Ultimate Steam Page

Status of Steam Locomotives of the
Red Ferro Industrial Rio Turbio (RFIRT)

updated 17 March 2009

provided courtesy of Sñr. Alexis Boichetta, former General Manager of the Railway
translated by Shaun McMahon

The 20 Mitsubishi-built steam locomotives of the Rio Turbio Railway in southernmost Argentina were finally replaced by diesels in the late 1990's. These steam locomotives represent the largest and most successful application of Porta's steam improvements. Luckily, at least some of these locomotives remain in serviceable condition, should their return to service ever be required. Sñr. Alexis Boichetta, former General Manager of the Railway, was kind enough to provide a detailed status of these locomotives, which is given below.

Since his departure from the FCAF, Shawn McMahon has been working to get the remaining locomotives into working order, including retrofitting Porta's original improvements and incorporating new ones as well.  Updates will be posted on the News page when they are available.

For information on the RFIRT and other railroads in Patagonia, visit Martin Coombs page at: http://railwaysofthefarsouth.co.uk/. The RFIRT is covered under section 12. Photos of some of the engines at Rio Gallegos are shown on this page on Kylpor exhaust systems.


No.

Status

101 In Rio Gallegos. Missing tender. Resting on 2 axles. Dismantled.
102 In Rio Gallegos. With tender. Dismantled.
103 In Rio Gallegos. Missing tender. Resting on axles 1 and 5.  Dismantled.
104  In Rio Turbio.
105 In Rio Turbio. Ready for service.
106 In Rio Turbio.
107 In Rio Turbio.
108 In Rio Turbio.
109 In Rio Gallegos. Missing tender. Resting on axles and 5. Dismantled.
110 In Rio Turbio.
111  In Rio Gallegos. Missing tender. Resting on pony truck and trailing truck. Dismantled.
112 In Rio Gallegos. Missing tender. Resting on axles 1 and 5.
113 In Rio Turbio.
114  In Rio Turbio.
115  In Rio Turbio.
116 In Rio Turbio.
117 In Rio Gallegos. Missing tender. Axle no. 4 missing.
118 In Rio Gallegos. Dismantled.
119 In Rio Gallegos.
120  In Rio Turbio.  
"The locomotives that are postioned together in Rio Gallegos are dismantled with various components missing. They are not readily recoverable. The tenders are stored along with wagons and other rolling stock or upon wagons. With respect to the locomotives in Rio turbio, I do not have full information, but they are fully capable of being put into traffic and they are all fitted with their tenders."

Many thanks to Sñr. Boichetta for this interesting information.