Rail transport in Argentina#Commuter networks

File:Estación del Parque (1).jpg, built in 1857, later closed in 1883]]

The growth and decline of the Argentine railways are tied heavily with the history of the country as a whole, reflecting its economic and political situation at numerous points in history, reaching its high point when Argentina ranked among the 10 richest economies in the world (measured in GDP per capita) during the country's Belle Époque and subsequently deteriorating along with the hopes of the prosperity it came so close to achieving.[https://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21596582-one-hundred-years-ago-argentina-was-future-what-went-wrong-century-decline The tragedy of Argentina: A century of decline] – The Economist, 14 February 2014

In the early years, the railway was emblematic of the vast waves of European Immigration into the country, with many coming to work on and operate the railways, such as the Italian-Argentine Alfonso Covassi, the country's first engine driver,[http://www.cin.edu.ar/descargas/asuntosacademicos/art.%2043/INGENIERIA%20FERROVIARIA/26-02-13%20Ferroviaria%20-%20Cap%20III.pdf Breve Historia de los FERROCARRILES ARGENTINOS, su Construcción, su Destrucción, su Importancia, y Proyecto de Recuperación.] – Universidad Tecnologica Nacional, 2013, p.6 and also in the sense that the population boom experienced as a result of this immigration required means of transportation to meet growing demands. Much like in the American West, the railways also played a key role in the creation and expansion of new population centres and boomtowns in remote parts of the country.[http://ferrocarrilesdelsud.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/158-anos-de-historia-ferroviaria.html El Ferrocarril en La Argentina] – Ferrocarriles del Sud, August 2011

{{see also|Economic history of Argentina}}

File:Ferrocarril Central Argentino 1913.jpeg (1913)]]

File:Comedor Principal, Galería de Té.jpg, then the central terminal of the Central Argentine Railway (1915)]]

File:Fcptodeseado steam late1920s.jpg, Santa Cruz Province (c.1920)]]

The importance of foreign capital in the construction of the Argentine railways is perhaps overstated,[http://www.soyferroviario.com.ar/index.php/ferrocarriles/argentinos/874-ferrocarriles-argentinos-una-historia-de-entrega-y-de-luchas Ferrocarriles Argentinos: una historia de entrega y de luchas] – Soy Ferroviario, 2 April 2015. with initial construction of the network beginning in 1855 at first with Argentine finance, which continued throughout the network's development.[http://www.sindicatolafraternidad.org/Ferrocarril.html Breve Reseña] – La Fraternidad The Buenos Aires Western, Great Western and Great Southern railways (today the part of the San Martín, Sarmiento and Roca railways respectively) were all commenced using Argentine capital with the Buenos Aires Western Railway being the first to open its doors in the country, along with its Del Parque railway station.[http://www.todotren.com.ar/mundo/origen_1.htm Los Ferrocarriles: Sus orígenes] – TodoTren

Following the adoption of liberal economic policies by president Bartolomé Mitre, these railways were sold off to foreign private interests, consisting of mostly British companies, in what would be the first of many acts where the ideological climate of the time would define the fate of the Argentine railways.[http://www.lagazeta.com.ar/ferrocarriles.htm Breve Historia de los Ferrocarriles Argentinos] – La Gazeta These sales also included Argentina's first railway, the Buenos Aires Western (by now {{convert|1,014|km|mi|abbr=on}} long), which was sold in 1890 to the British company New Western Railway of Buenos Aires for just over 8.1 million pounds (close to £500 million in 2005 money[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/currency/ Currency converter] – The National Archives).[http://www.cin.edu.ar/descargas/asuntosacademicos/art.%2043/INGENIERIA%20FERROVIARIA/26-02-13%20Ferroviaria%20-%20Cap%20III.pdf Breve Historia de los FERROCARRILES ARGENTINOS, su Construcción, su Destrucción, su Importancia, y Proyecto de Recuperación.] – Universidad Tecnologica Nacional, 2013, p.22 This sale, and others that came after it, was heavily criticised at the time for being far lower than the actual value of the railway, and prompted many anti-British protests. In later years, this was also criticised by historians:

{{Blockquote|text=During the 27 years in which it belonged to the Government of the Province of Buenos Aires, the Western Railway was the line which was most luxurious, least wasteful [...] and offered the most economical fares and cargo rates. It was a model company which was the pride of Argentina, in relation to which all the English railway companies established in our country were, without exception, second-rate…[But after the sale] the unnecessary growth in spending, largely due to the disproportionate increase in employees, the resulting decrease in returns and the rise in ticket prices made up a definite intent to sabotage: the Western Railway would quickly be discredited in the public opinion.|sign=Raúl Scalabrini Ortiz|source=Historia de los Ferrocarriles Argentinos{{cite book |last=Ortiz |first=Raúl Scalabrini |date=2006 |title=Historia de los Ferrocarriles Argentinos |publisher=Lancelot |page=32 |isbn=978-9871677979 }}}}

In the years that followed, there were numerous cases of undervalued sales to British investors, including the {{convert|1,000|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} long Andean Railway, which provoked much anti-British sentiment in the country.{{cite journal |last=Thompson |first=Andrew |title=Informal Empire? An Exploration in the History of Anglo-Argentine Relations, 1810–1914 |journal=Journal of Latin American Studies |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=419–436 |doi=10.1017/S0022216X00023440 |year=1992 |s2cid=146684269 }} By 1910 the network had been monopolised by British companies, owned by large finance firms such as J.S. Morgan & Co. in London. Nevertheless, major development of the Argentine rail network occurred up to this period and the Argentine state also played a large role, financing ferrocarriles de fomento (development railways) in rural areas not attractive to private interests, while the Argentine State Railway had a {{convert|9,690|km|mi|abbr=on}} network.[http://www.cepal.org/publicaciones/xml/8/25868/10empresaspcascap2II.pdf Ferrocarriles del Estado at CEPAL Library]

By 1914, the Argentine rail network attained significant growth having added {{convert|30,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the network between 1895 and 1914,[http://notas.org.ar/2015/04/09/historia-ferrocarriles-argentinos-nacionalizacion-privatizacion/ Breve historia de los ferrocarriles argentinos: entre la nacionalización y la privatización] – Notas, 9 April 2015. which positioned the country as having the tenth largest rail network in the world in that year, at a point where the country had the tenth highest per-capita GDP in the world.{{cite web|title=Argentina's Economic Crisis: An "Absence of Capitalism" |publisher=Heritage.org |date=2001-04-19 |url=http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2001/04/argentinas-economic-crisis-an-absence-of-capitalism |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119174030/http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2001/04/argentinas-economic-crisis-an-absence-of-capitalism |url-status=unfit |archive-date=2012-01-19 }} Its expansion accelerated greatly due to the need for the transport of agricultural products and cattle in Buenos Aires Province. The rail network converged on the city of Buenos Aires and was a key component in the development of the Argentine economy as it rose to be a leading export country. However, with the advent of the First World War, then subsequently the Wall Street crash and Great Depression, the rail network of the country experienced a much lower rate of growth after this period and had mostly ground to a halt by the beginning of the Second World War.[http://www.cin.edu.ar/descargas/asuntosacademicos/art.%2043/INGENIERIA%20FERROVIARIA/26-02-13%20Ferroviaria%20-%20Cap%20III.pdf Breve Historia de los FERROCARRILES ARGENTINOS, su Construcción, su Destrucción, su Importancia, y Proyecto de Recuperación.] – Universidad Tecnologica Nacional, 2013, p.24[http://www.sindicatolafraternidad.org/Ferrocarril_02.html Crisis y Nacionalización Ferroviaria.] – La Fraternidad

File:Estación del Parque (2).jpg|Exterior of Del Parque station (c.1857-84)

File:Huelga ferroviaria en estación Recoleta, 1904.jpg|Railway strike on the Buenos Aires Northern Railway, the first British railway in Argentina (c.1904)

File:Puente Pacifico 1930s.jpg|Buenos Aires and Pacific Railway train in Palermo (c.1930)

File:Est Comodoro Rivadavia (2).jpg|Comodoro Rivadavia Railway train in Patagonia (c.1940)

File:Provincia del Chubut - Bariloche - Ganz 2.jpg|A Ferrocarriles Patagónicos Ganz DMU in Chubut province (1945)

{{Main|Railway nationalization in Argentina|Ferrocarriles Argentinos}}

By the end of the Second World War, the United Kingdom owed Argentina m$n 2 billion after the country had filled the gaps in food shortages during the war effort.[http://www.argentina.ar/temas/historia-y-efemerides/35881-juan-domingo-peron-anuncia-la--nacionalizacion-de-los-ferrocarriles Juan Domingo Perón anuncia la nacionalización de los ferrocarriles "Juan Domingo Perón anuncia la nacionalización de los ferrocarriles."], Argentina.ar, 1 March 2015[https://2ndlook.wordpress.com/2009/12/30/1945-britain-imperial-ambitions-of-a-starving-nation/ "1945 Britain – Imperial ambitions of a starving nation"] – 2nd Look, December 2009 Following what was then a worldwide trend, the private companies were nationalised by the government of Juan Perón, beginning in 1946 with the French railways and then purchasing the British railways after an agreement was signed cancelling the British debt in 1947.[http://www.educ.ar/sitios/educar/recursos/ver?id=20089 La red ferroviaria argentina] – Ministerio de Educacion[http://www.todotren.com.ar/mundo/origen_3.htm Los Ferrocarriles: Sus orígenes] – Todo Tren Perón later claimed in an interview that the British envoys had offered him a bribe of US$100 million if the state paid an extra m$n 6 billion for the railways on top of the debt cancellation.

After the 1948 nationalisation, the {{convert|47,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} long Argentine railway network was separated into six divisions managed by State-owned company Ferrocarriles Argentinos. Of the 20 railways incorporated into Ferrocarriles Argentinos, 7 were Argentine, 10 were British and 3 were French prior to nationalisation. There were grouped together by track gauge and location and named after important figures in Argentine History. Maps of those division companies were as follows:

File:Belgrano_railw_map.jpg|Belgrano
{{RailGauge|1000mm|lk=on}}

File:Fc_mitre_map.jpg|Mitre
{{RailGauge|5ft6in|lk=on}}
with the Tren de la Costa in {{RailGauge|4ft8.5in|lk=on}}

File:Roca_railway_complete.jpg|Roca
{{RailGauge|5ft6in|lk=on}}
with some stretches in {{RailGauge|2ft5.5in|lk=on}}

File:Sarmiento railw map.jpg|Sarmiento
{{RailGauge|5ft6in|lk=on}}

File:San_martin_railw_map.jpg|San Martín
{{RailGauge|5ft6in|lk=on}}

File:Urquiza_railw_map.jpg|Urquiza
{{RailGauge|4ft8.5in|lk=on}}

Soon after the reorganisation, Perón turned it into a political matter with the nationalisation becoming a symbol of national autonomy and independence from foreign powers rather than an administrative change and is still to this day regarded by justicialists as a move against neo-imperialsm.[http://www.lagazeta.com.ar/ferrocarriles.htm BREVE HISTORIA DE LOS FERROCARRILES ARGENTINOS] – La Gazeta[http://www.historiadelperonismo.com/1-gobierno-de-peron_2.php El primer objetivo estratégico La Independencia Económica, una de las tres banderas del justicialismo Cuadro de situación financiero en 1946] – Historia del Peronismo Although for many years the state-owned railways were able to provide a good standard of passenger and freight service, over the years the changing politics of Argentina began to take its toll. By the 1960s, the post-war economic boom had ushered in a new age of the automobile, with rail transport on its way out around the world, a trend from which Argentina was not left unscathed.

Following the ousting of Perón from power, the Larkin Plan was implemented to modernise transport in the country with backing from the World Bank and intended to make investments in the country's railways.[http://www.lagunapaivaweb.com.ar/Documentos/plan_larkin_ferrocarriles_argentinos.htm El plan Larkin y la resistencia obrera] – Laguna Paiva However, by 1961 its aims had changed significantly and the plan had evolved into one which prioritised automobile transportation and began lifting sections of railway – an act which was put to an end following a series of strikes by railway workers in opposition to the plan.[http://comisionddhh.obraspublicas.gob.ar/historia-fa.html Historia de los Organismos y Empresas del Estado: Ferrocarriles Argentinos] – Ministerio de Planificacion The government favoured road transport and opened car and truck factories in the country. Diesel train shops and new car shops were opened with help from Fiat, Alstom, and Mitsubishi. Steam locomotives were slowly phased out. Later governments between 1967 and 1971 then continued investing in the railways and enacted modernisation plans, renewing much of the rolling stock and the railways continued to function well.[http://www.sindicatolafraternidad.org/Ferrocarril_03.html El Proceso de Concesión y Desarme de Ferrocarriles Argentinos] – La Fraternidad

Under the military junta, the 1970s and 1980s saw a significant decline in Argentina's railways. In 1965, 25% of cargo and 18% of passengers were transported by rail, while by 1980 this figure had dropped to 8% and 7% respectively and Ferrocarriles Argentinos was losing US$1 million per day maintaining an ageing system with dwindling passenger numbers.[http://hum.unne.edu.ar/revistas/geoweb/Geo19/archivos/mignone13.pdf El SISTEMA FERROVIARIO DE LA REPÚBLICA ARGENTINA] – Revista Geográfica Digital, January 2013 Between 1976 and 1980, 560 stations were closed, along with {{convert|5,500|km|mi|abbr=on}} of track, while the number of employees in railway workshops alone fell from 155,000 to 97,000.[http://tiempo.infonews.com/nota/35758/breve-historia-de-la-privatizacion-de-los-ferrocarriles-en-la-argentina Breve historia de la privatización de los ferrocarriles en la Argentina] – Tiempo Argentino, February 2012

By the time the country returned to democratic rule, the railways were in bad shape and the country was overwhelmed by the economic burdens and debts left over from the junta.Encyclopædia Britannica. Book of the Year, 1986. World Affairs: Argentina. Under this context, and with the state unable to cope with the cost of managing the railways due to a large fiscal deficit, the privatisation of the network came into consideration.

File:Justicialista en la exposición.jpg|Argentine locomotive "La Justicialista" being inaugurated (1952)

File:Cordoba j.b.justo 1969 fcsm.jpg|Railway workers on the San Martín Line (1969)

File:Ferrocarriles Argentinos - Coche motor en Cañuelas.jpg|Fiat Materfer 7131 units were emblematic of the 1960s

File:FA rolling stock retiro 1968.jpg|Ferrocarriles Argentinos rolling stock outside Retiro Mitre station (1968)

File:Ferrocarrilesargentinos70s.jpg|Ferrocarriles Argentinos poster from the 1970s

File:Ferrocarriles Argentinos - Gran Capitán.jpg|Ferrocarriles Argentinos train on the Urquiza Railway (1990)

{{Main|Railway Privatisation in Argentina}}

File:Santa Fe - San Cristóbal - Locomotora en talleres.jpg

File:Accidente-tren-once-argentina.jpg left 49 dead and prompted calls for re-nationalisation.]]

Under the presidency of Carlos Menem, Argentina radically changed its economic policies moving from a more Import substitution industrialisation-orientated model towards neoliberal shock therapy and the Washington Consensus under the supervision of the International Monetary Fund.[https://www.chicagotribune.com/1992/01/29/argentina-meeting-bankers-in-effort-to-cut-its-huge-debt/ Argentina Meeting Bankers In Effort To Cut Its Huge Debt] – Chicago Tribune, 29 January 1992.{{cite journal |last=Teubal |first=Miguel |date=1 September 2004 |title=Rise and Collapse of Neoliberalism in Argentina |url=http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Rise_and_Collapse_of_Neoliberalism_in_Argentina__The_Role_of_Economic_Groups.pdf |journal=Journal of Developing Societies |volume=20 |issue=3–4 |pages=173–188 |doi=10.1177/0169796X04050957 |s2cid=154820279 |access-date=28 May 2015}} Much like under the classical liberalism of the late 19th and early 20th century, under these plans, Argentina would sell off most of its state assets at extremely reduced prices, among them the railways.{{cite journal |last=Rodríguez-Boetsch |first=Leopoldo |date=19 January 2007 |title=Public service privatisation and crisis in Argentina |journal=Development in Practice |volume=15 |issue=3–4 |pages=302–315 |doi=10.1080/09614520500076092 |s2cid=154305689 }}

During these reforms, between 1992 and 1995, the government decided break up and to privatise the state-owned company Ferrocarriles Argentinos (FA), which comprised six relatively independent divisions, Sarmiento, Mitre, Urquiza, San Martín, Belgrano and Roca, and granted concessions to private companies for their operation through competitive bidding, while doing the same with freight services.[http://www.mecon.gov.ar%2Fcuentas%2Finternacionales%2Fdocumentos%2Fprivatizaciones.doc&ei=G2UdVeSvH83taPG0gZAL&usg=AFQjCNGiTFZ2PUxoC0CBgRtK5xXhdf6xXA&sig2=CiA1Oe13_qDBq6JYvOl4Cg&bvm=bv.89744112,d.d2s El proceso de privatizaciones en la Argentina desde una perspectiva del Balance de Pagos] – MECON

At the start of the concessions, the railway network was quickly reduced to one quarter of its capacity, with long-distance lines disappearing almost completely.[http://www.ipsnews.net/2012/02/privatisation-derailed-argentinas-rail-system/ Privatisation Derailed Argentina’s Rail System] – IPS News, 24 February 2012. At the same time, as more locomotives and rolling stock were needed, the private companies became increasingly reluctant to make the investment required to increase capacity and thus service quality and passenger numbers declined. Railway privatisation resulted in the loss of some 70,000 jobs in the railway sector over the years, whilst by 1998 some 793 railway stations had been closed.[http://www.monografias.com/trabajos916/sistema-ferroviario-argentino/sistema-ferroviario-argentino2.shtml El servicio ferroviario argentino de las últimas dos décadas, el antes y después de las privatizaciones] – Monografias.com In addition, companies operating other transport means (such as bus transport) who had vested interests seeking the demise of the railway, purchased lines for far less than their real value.[https://sabrinaramirez.wordpress.com/2013/07/24/privatizacion-de-los-ferrocarriles-argentinos-ramal-que-para-ramal-que-cierra/ Privatización de los ferrocarriles: "Ramal que para, ramal que cierra"] – Contra Molinos de Sortilegios, 24 July 2013

Under privatisation, substantial government subsidies continued in order to keep the system from collapsing, the state continued losing money on the railways. During this period, the railways were plagued by negligence, while private operators persistently ignored warnings from inspectors whilst failing in their contractual obligations to maintain railway infrastructure. Similarly, over the years, government subsidies to the private companies increased to levels similar to the losses incurred under the state management of the railways, albeit now with a much more limited service and further deteriorated infrastructure.

The closing of much of the rail system also led to the emptying of many rural towns dependent on the railways, creating ghost towns and therefore to a dismantling of the development that had taken place there since the arrival of trains.[http://www.ancaloo.com.ar/nota/3246/como-perdimos-el-ferrocarril-argentino Como Perdimos el Ferrocarril Agentino] – Ancaloo, 29 September 2008 Argentine agriculture found itself in the difficult position of shipping its goods less efficiently using road transport, which costs around 72% more than state-owned rail services.[http://web.archive.org/web/20220706152548/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201505/104017-randazzo-kicillof-tren-de-carga-mercado-central.html El regreso del tren de cargas al Mercado Central "favorecerá a la pequeña y mediana empresa"] – Telam, 6 May 2015.

The economic crisis in 2001 was the final blow and neither the private companies nor the government could provide the service required. In 2003, the new administration of President Néstor Kirchner set it as a key policy objective to revive the national rail network. Although the economic upturn saw traffic grow again, the suburban rail operators were still little more than managers of government contracts rather than true entrepreneurs.[http://www.railwaygazette.com/news_view/article/2007/08/7661/argentina_sets_a_new_course.html Argentina sets a new course] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023213711/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news_view/article/2007/08/7661/argentina_sets_a_new_course.html |date=23 October 2007 }}. Railway Gazette International, Retrieved on 19 May 2008

{{see also|Nuevos Ferrocarriles Argentinos}}

File:Randazzo en Chascomus.jpg overseeing construction near Chascomús.]]

File:Nuevo tren en Estación Rivadavia (Línea Mitre), Buenos Aires, Enero 2015.JPG electric rolling stock.]]

In 2008, the National Government formed Trenes Argentinos Operadora Ferroviaria (SOFSE) to manage some freight and passenger lines in the country. The Once Tragedy of February 2012 prompted further action by the government, resulting in the revocation of the Sarmiento Line and Mitre Line concessions from Trenes de Buenos Aires (TBA) in May of that year, with both lines eventually being put under the management of the state-owned SOFSE.{{cite web|url=http://www.clarin.com/politica/Finalmente-Gobierno-concesion-Sarmiento-TBA_0_706129566.html|title=Finalmente, el Gobierno le sacó las concesiones del Sarmiento y del Mitre a TBA|work=Clarín|date=24 May 2012}}[https://archive.today/20130912080746/http://www.infobae.com/2013/09/11/1508248-estatizaron-los-ferrocarriles-sarmiento-y-mitre "El gobierno nacional estatizó los ferrocarriles Sarmiento y Mitre", Infobae] In June 2012, the government announced that it was renationalising some freight railways citing "serious breaches of contract" by the operators, this culminated in the nationalisation of the Belgrano Cargas network which operates on over {{convert|10,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} of metre gauge track.{{cite news|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/freight/single-view/view/all-concessions-revoked.html|access-date=10 June 2013|title=ALL concessions revoked|work=Railway Gazette International}}[http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/economia/2-220578-2013-05-22.html "Nueva empresa estatal para el Belgrano Cargas"], Página/12, 23 May 2013

This trend continued in the following years and the government began re-opening services and improving on the once private services using completely new rolling stock, including long-distance services like the one from Buenos Aires to Mar del Plata and Buenos Aires-Rosario-Cordoba.[http://wwwcronicaferroviaria.blogspot.com.ar/2015/03/randazzo-estamos-saldando-una-deuda-con.html Randazzo: "Estamos saldando una deuda con las ciudades del interior del país"][http://enelsubte.com/noticias/exitosa-prueba-en-la-renovada-via-a-rosario/ Exitosa prueba en la renovada vía a Rosario] EnElSubte, March 2015 This new-found investment in the railways has not been limited to rolling stock since, in many cases, the state has completely replaced, or is in the process of replacing, the existing infrastructure with continuous welded rails on concrete sleepers and undertaking other works such as renovating level crossings and building new railway bridges.{{Cite web|url=http://wwwcronicaferroviaria.blogspot.com.ar/2015/03/en-tren-de-buenos-aires-cordoba-36.html|title = CRÓNICA FERROVIARIA: En tren, de Buenos Aires a Córdoba a 36 kilómetros por hora|date = 11 March 2015}}[http://enelsubte.com/noticias/rescinden-contratos-a-privados-y-vuelve-ferrocarriles-argentinos/ Rescinden contratos a privados y vuelve Ferrocarriles Argentinos] EnElSubte, March 2015[http://wwwcronicaferroviaria.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/randazzo-este-paso-bajo-nivel-es-parte.html Randazzo: "Este paso bajo nivel es parte del importante proceso de renovación ferroviaria de la Línea Sarmiento"] – Crónica Ferroviaria, February 2015 The freight network has also received significant investment from China, with two investments totalling US$4.8 billion made in 2013 and 2015.[http://www.ieco.clarin.com/economia/Gobierno-acuerdo-ferroviario-US-millones_0_1427257586.html A tres meses del cambio de Gobierno, firman un acuerdo ferroviario por US$ 2.400 millones] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315084705/http://www.ieco.clarin.com/economia/Gobierno-acuerdo-ferroviario-US-millones_0_1427257586.html |date=15 March 2016 }} – Clarín, 8 September 2015.

While from 2008 to 2014 there were many indications that the state was re-nationalising parts of the railway and making efforts towards improving it, in 2015 it was announced that complete nationalisation of the remaining lines and services were on the table after a project was put forward that would see the resurrection of Ferrocarriles Argentinos as a state-owned holding company which would incorporate SOFSE (passenger services), TACyL (freight) and ADIFSE (infrastructure). This was put into effect in April 2015 when, by overwhelming majority, the Argentine Senate passed the law which re-created Ferrocarriles Argentinos and effectively re-nationalised the country's railways, a move which saw support from all major political parties across the political spectrum. Expenditure for the railway network was set at AR$ 9 billion for 2015, while in 2016 it is expected to be AR$7.2 billion.[http://web.archive.org/web/20220706154205/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201505/106298-invertiran-este-ano--9-mil-millones-para-mejoramiento-de-la-infraestructura-ferroviaria-trenes.html Invertirán este año 9.000 millones de pesos para mejorar la infraestructura ferroviaria] – Telam, 25 May 2015.

Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Cordoba, Resistencia, Paraná, La Plata, Santiago del Estero and Salta are the only cities in Argentina to offer suburban passenger services; most other cities rely on bus and trolleybus transportation, though in the past there were more networks and most major cities had a tramway network.

File:GREATER BA RAIL NETWORK-b.png

Greater Buenos Aires' metropolitan rail system is the second most extensive in the Americas after New York's commuter rail system, with about 259 stations, covering {{convert|900|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} and 7 rail lines serving more than 1.4 million commuters daily in the Greater Buenos Aires area.[http://www.buenosaires.gob.ar/noticias/los-detalles-de-un-obra-impactante Detalles del proyecto para conectar todos los ferrocarriles urbanos debajo del Obelisco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612111257/http://www.buenosaires.gob.ar/noticias/los-detalles-de-un-obra-impactante |date=12 June 2015 }} – Buenos Aires Ciudad, 12 May 2015.[http://www.cnrt.gov.ar/content/estadisticas/ferroviario Estadísticas del transporte ferroviario – Total 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612061844/http://www.cnrt.gov.ar/content/estadisticas/ferroviario |date=12 June 2015 }}, CNRT website – Ministry of Transport Commuter rail services from the suburbs is mostly operated by SOFSE, though some private operators remain. The rail lines converge at five rail terminals, all of them in Buenos Aires, with two, Retiro and Constitución rail terminals being the busiest train stations in Argentina, though there is a plan to connect all the lines in one central underground station for easy transfer.

File:Estación Constitución - Interior.jpg, busiest rail station in the country.]]

File:San Martín line rolling stock.jpg CSR SDD7 diesel-electric locomotive.]]

Buenos Aires City's commuter rail provides 1800 trains carrying 1.4 million passengers each business day in the city of Buenos Aires, its suburbs in Greater Buenos Aires and several far-reaching satellite towns. Service is provided by private companies and spreads out from five central stations in Buenos Aires: Retiro, Constitución, Once and Federico Lacroze – all serving both long-distance and local passenger services – and Buenos Aires Station which, despite its name, is a secondary rail terminus serving only local commuter services and will cease to be a terminal once the Belgrano Sur Line is extended to Constitución.[http://www.infobae.com/2014/12/16/1615629-elevaran-las-trazas-del-ferrocarril-san-martin-y-del-belgrano-sur Elevarán las trazas del ferrocarril San Martín y del Belgrano Sur] – InfoBAE, 16 December 2014.

The Retiro and Constitución train stations are linked by Line C of the Buenos Aires Underground, Once is served by Line A of the underground via its "Plaza Miserere" station and by Line H's Once station, while Federico Lacroze is served by Line B.[http://www.metrovias.com.ar/Subterraneos/StaticPage/Mapa-de-la-Red/Mapa-de-la-red/3365 Mapa de la red] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413200046/http://www.metrovias.com.ar/Subterraneos/StaticPage/Mapa-de-la-Red/Mapa-de-la-red/3365 |date=13 April 2016 }} – Metrovías The smaller Buenos Aires Station is accessible by some city bus services and it is the only railway terminus in Buenos Aires that has no access to the Buenos Aires Underground, though it is connected to the Metrobus Sur line.[http://enelsubte.com/noticias/inauguraron-el-nuevo-centro-de-transbordo-saenz/ Inauguraron el nuevo centro de transbordo Sáenz] – EnElSubte, 19 March 2015.

Most trains leave at regular 8–20 minute intervals, though for trains travelling a longer distance service may be less frequent.[http://www.sofse.gob.ar/servicios/servicios.php Servicios líneas metropolitanas] – SOFSE Fares are cheap and tickets can be purchased at ticket windows or through the SUBE card machines at stations.[http://www.sube.gob.ar/DondeUsarSUBE.aspx?solapa=3 SUBE] – Ministerio del Interior y Transporte. Most of the lines are electrified, several are diesel-powered, while some of these are currently being electrified and some of the lines share traffic with freight services.

Buenos Aires area commuter rail lines were privatised in the 1990s, and passengers had complained for years about poor commuter rail services on lines leading from Constitución station in downtown Buenos Aires to the capital's southern suburbs.[http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr02/f23_kog.html Reshaping Argentina's Railways, Japan Railway & Transport Review No. 2 (pp.23–29)] Retrieved on 24 June 2008 However, in recent years all but two of the services have been re-nationalised and are operated by Trenes Argentinos (SOFSE).[http://www.sofse.gob.ar/servicios/servicios.php servicios líneas metropolitanas] – SOFSE

{{main|Trams in Buenos Aires}}

File:San Martín y Viamonte.jpg

File:Estación Juan Anchorena.jpg light rail line.]]

Buenos Aires once had one of the most extensive tramway systems in the world, with a {{convert|875|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} network in the city proper alone, which gained the city global notoriety as being "The City of Trams" in the late 19th and early 20th century.[http://www.elarcadigital.com.ar/modules/revistadigital/articulo.php?id=651 Historia del tranvía en Buenos Aires] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20150410144246/http://www.elarcadigital.com.ar/modules/revistadigital/articulo.php?id=651 |date=10 April 2015 }} – Revista Digital ead[http://www.eldiario.es/viajarahora/viaje-historia-ciudad-viejo-Tramway-tranvia-Caballito-Buenos-Aires-Horario-recorrido-telefono-mail-parada-subte-colectivo-transporte-gratis-viajar-guia-barrio-restaurantes-comer-barato_0_368863117.html Un viaje por la historia de la ciudad en el viejo Tramway] – ElDiario.es, 21 March 2015. The system remained popular throughout its existence but, despite this, it was dismantled in the mid-1960s in favour of bus transport.[http://www.tranvia.org.ar/tranvias/ciudaddebsas.htm APUNTES SOBRE LA HISTORIA DEL TRANVÍA EN BUENOS AIRES] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728175332/http://www.tranvia.org.ar/tranvias/ciudaddebsas.htm |date=28 July 2013 }} – Biblioteca Popular Federico Lacroze Today, some minor tram services remain, as well as light rail services in the city proper and Greater Buenos Aires.

The light rail Tren de la Costa (Train of the Coast), which serves tourists and local commuters, runs from the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires to Tigre along the river for approximately {{convert|15|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}. The line connects directly to the Mitre Line at Maipú–Bartolomé Mitre station in the northern suburb of Olivos for direct access to Retiro terminus in the centre of the city.[http://enelsubte.com/noticias/la-linea-maipu-delta-un-potencial-desaprovechado/ La línea Maipú-Delta, un potencial desaprovechado] – EnElSubte, 20 April 2015.

An experimental project of a short run tramway line, Tranvía del Este, was inaugurated in 2007 in the Puerto Madero district of Buenos Aires. The {{Cvt|2|km}} prototype line ran between the Córdoba and Independencia avenues, ridership was not as expected and the line closed in 2012.[http://www.cronista.com/negocios/El-tren-de-Puerto-Madero-ocho-meses-sin-servicio-y-un-futuro-incierto-20130523-0062.html El tren de Puerto Madero, ocho meses sin servicio y un futuro incierto] – Cronista, 23 May 2013 A Historic Tramway operates on weekends and holidays in the Caballito neighbourhood of the capital with free fares and using vintage rolling stock from the now defunct Buenos Aires tramway network.Cross, Barry (April 2001). [http://www.lrta.org/mag/articles/art0104.html "Buenos Aires: Brand new pre-Metro line"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040734/http://www.lrta.org/mag/articles/art0104.html |date=4 March 2016 }}. Tramways & Urban Transit, pp. 136–137. UK: Light Rail Transit Association/Ian Allan Publishing.[http://enelsubte.com/noticias/la-aat-celebra-un-festival-los-150-anos-del-tranvia-2715/ La AAT celebra con un festival los 150 años del tranvía] – EnElSubte, 12 July 2013

Another tramway line, the Buenos Aires Premetro, operates as a feeder at the end of Underground Line E, running through some of the city's southern districts.{{cite web |url=http://www.metrovias.com.ar/Metrovias/StaticPage/Institucional/Nuestra-compa%C3%B1ia/3400 |title=Nuestra compañía – ¿Qué hacemos? |publisher=Metrovias |language=es |trans-title=Our Company – What We Do |access-date=2015-05-29 |archive-date=16 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716195245/http://www.metrovias.com.ar/Metrovias/StaticPage/Institucional/Nuestra-compa%C3%B1ia/3400 |url-status=dead }} Though there is currently only one Premetro line (E2), originally many other lines were planned to run as feeder services to the Buenos Aires Underground, however due to their planned construction coinciding with the privatisation of the Underground network, these never materialised.[http://enelsubte.com/noticias/la-linea-d-no-llega-puente-saavedra-2693/ ¿Por qué la línea D no llega hasta Puente Saavedra?] – EnElSubte, 25 June 2013. The creation of new lines has been proposed as late as 2012, however it is now accepted that, with the creation of the Metrobus network in 2011, the need for further Premetro lines has been made redundant.[http://enelsubte.com/noticias/premetro-puente-la-noria-el-olvido-el-metrobus-del-sur-2781/ Premetro a Puente de la Noria, en el olvido por el Metrobus del Sur] – EnElSubte, 16 August 2013.[http://enelsubte.com/noticias/proponen-el-premetro-absorba-el-recorrido-del-metrobus-del-sur-2186/ Proponen que el Premetro absorba el recorrido del Metrobus del Sur] -

The Buenos Aires public transit system uses a ticketing system. All tickets are bought at ticket booths and ticket printing consoles at railway stations and on board certain trains. Tickets can be bought either using cash or by using the SUBE card (also used throughout the country for buses, tollbooths and underground). Ticket cost differ depending on the payment method: If the tickets are bought using SUBE, the user can benefit from a government subsidy which translates to a substantially reduced fare.[http://tiempo.infonews.com/nota/148554/plan-canje-de-electrodomesticos-beneficios-con-la-tarjeta-sube-y-subsidio-a-las-garrafas Plan "canje" de electrodomésticos, beneficios con la tarjeta SUBE y subsidio a las garrafas] – Tiempo, 27 March 2015. Children under three years of age, children in school uniform, retired people receiving pensions and the disabled do not have to pay to use these services in most cases.[http://www.trenmitre.com.ar/tarifas.php Tarifas] – Tren Mitre Similarly, university students and staff have a 20% discount, with a 50% discount proposed in 2015.[http://wwwcronicaferroviaria.blogspot.com.ar/2015/03/creacion-del-boleto-docente-para-el.html Creación del Boleto Docente para el Transporte Público ferroviario y automotor] – Crónica Ferroviaria, 18 March 2015{{update inline|date=March 2019}}

File:Roca Line EMU crossing bridge.jpg.]]

File:Trenes del Roca.jpg are like those used on other lines, but using overhead lines instead of third rail.]]

Although the first electric railway between Retiro and Tigre was inaugurated in 1916, major electrification projects were not adopted. The large size of the country, its long distances and flat topography mean that major electrification does not make much sense economically, although some suburban networks in Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area were electrified. After several decades of the Buenos Aires rail-service being under-funded, there is presently an ongoing modernisation plan so as to provide much needed improvement in services, and the trend is towards electrification of several lines. Similarly, ongoing maintenance and investment has continued on existing electric lines, such as with the $845 million purchase of 705 CSR electric multiple unit cars from China for the Mitre, Sarmiento and Roca lines in 2013.[http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/economia/2-229609-2013-09-23.html Los trenes que se vienen desde China] – Pagina/12, 23 September 2013.

The first line to receive this improvement was the Roca Line network in the southern part of the city, where work is already in progress, and several new segments electrified in 2012, such as the Glew – Alejandro Korn route and the Temperley – Remedios de Escalada route.[http://www.perfil.com/contenidos/2008/03/11/noticia_0053.html Electrificarán todos los ramales del Ferrocarril Roca] Retrieved on 23 June 2008 (Spanish)[http://www.preventionweb.net/files/informe-anual-2012%20Sistema%20Ferroviario.%20pdf.pdf Informe Anual 2012] – Ministerio del Interior y Transporte, 6 June 2013 The electrification of this line from Constitución railway station in Buenos Aires to the city of La Plata was completed in 2017.[https://enelsubte.com/noticias/se-inauguro-el-roca-electrico-a-la-plata/ Se inauguró el Roca eléctrico a La Plata] – En El Subte.com, 18 October 2017 In 2018, all routes were electrified except Bosques – Villa Elisa route, which only a portion is in service with diesel trains.[https://enelsubte.com/noticias/ya-funciona-el-roca-via-circuito/ Ya funciona el Roca Vía Circuito] – En El Subte.com, 12 October 2018

It is expected that the San Martín Line will finish the electrification of its diesel segments in 2022.,[https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/el-tren-san-martin-sera-electrico El tren San Martín será eléctrico] – Argentina.gob.ar, 23 July 2018. and there are plans to electrify the Belgrano Sur Line and remaining parts of the Sarmiento Line.[http://mininterior.gov.ar/prensa/prensa.php?i=4307 Tras reunirse con autoridades del BID, Randazzo señaló que "Argentina obtendrá financiamiento para otros importantes proyectos ferroviarios"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151130155558/http://mininterior.gov.ar/prensa/prensa.php?i=4307 |date=30 November 2015 }} – Ministerio del Interior y Transporte, 4 August 2015.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150402132255/http://www.nuevocronista.com/anunciaron-la-electrificacion-del-sarmiento-hasta-mercedes/ Anunciaron la electrificación del Sarmiento hasta Mercedes]}} – El Nuevo Cronista, 27 March 2015[http://wwwcronicaferroviaria.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/randazzo-quiero-comprometerme-aqui-que.html Randazzo: "Quiero comprometerme aquí a que en los próximos años, no más allá de 24 meses, se inicie el proceso de electrificación del ferrocarril hasta Mercedes"] – Crónica Ferroviaria, 27 March 2015 Both the Mitre and Sarmiento lines received completely new CSR electric multiple units in 2014. The Roca line's 300 coaches of the same type are in service, as the electrification of its remaining diesel segments was completed in 2018 (except Bosques – Villa Elisa route).

In 2008, approximately 42.7%, {{convert|258|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from a total rail network of {{convert|604|km|mi|abbr=on}} of the Buenos Aires and Greater Buenos Aires area (excluding outer-suburban satellite cities of Capilla del Señor, Lobos, Mercedes, Luján, Zárate and Cañuelas), but including the city of La Plata, was electrified. This is expected to increase by the end of 2015, when major electrification works are completed.{{Update after|2019|2|4}}

File:La Plata - Estación del Ferrocarril Roca.jpg railway station]]

La Plata is mostly served by the Roca Line, including the University train of La Plata, which runs from the central station to the National University of La Plata.{{Cite web |url=http://www.unlp.edu.ar/articulo/2013/4/26/comenzo_a_rodar_el_tren_universitario |title="Comenzó a rodar el Tren Universitario", University of La Plata |access-date=26 May 2015 |archive-date=30 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430231942/http://www.unlp.edu.ar/articulo/2013/4/26/comenzo_a_rodar_el_tren_universitario |url-status=dead }} The segment of the Roca Line which runs from Buenos Aires Constitución to La Plata and its suburbs is electrified with new rolling stock, stations and track, with works having commenced in 2014 and completed in 2017.[http://prensa.argentina.ar/2015/03/05/56650-la-presidenta-presento-los-300-vagones-cero-kilometro-destinados-al-ferrocarril-roca--que-a-fin-de-ano-estara-electrificado.php La Presidenta presentó los 300 vagones cero kilómetro destinados al ferrocarril Roca, que a fin de año estará electrificado] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094334/http://prensa.argentina.ar/2015/03/05/56650-la-presidenta-presento-los-300-vagones-cero-kilometro-destinados-al-ferrocarril-roca--que-a-fin-de-ano-estara-electrificado.php |date=2 April 2015 }} – Sala De Prensa de La Republica Argentina, 5 March 2015

This line also provides commuter services to La Plata's city centre from neighborhoods like Tolosa, Ringuelet, City Bell and Villa Elisa, with a frequency of one train every 25 minutes, which is expected to drop to 12 minutes after the electrification is completed.[http://www.infobae.com/2014/12/03/1612905-comenzaron-las-obras-electrificacion-del-ramal-constitucion-la-plata Comenzaron las obras de electrificación del ramal Constitución – La Plata] – InfoBae, 3 December 2014 Up until the 1980s, there were also other commuter services on the General Roca Railway to nearby towns and suburbs, however they are no longer in use and there are no indications that they will be reactivated.[http://delplatatrenes.ar.tripod.com/provincias/pipinas.htm Ramal LA PLATA – PIPINAS "El Tren Lechero"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421050833/http://delplatatrenes.ar.tripod.com/provincias/pipinas.htm |date=21 April 2014 }} – La Pagina del Rio de La Plata, 14 January 2004.

{{Main|Metrotranvía Mendoza}}

File:(Parador Belgrano) Siemens–Duewag U2 rumbo a Gutierrez (1).JPG in Mendoza.]]

The Metrotranvía Mendoza (Spanish for Mendoza Light Rail or fast tramway) is a public light rail transport system for the city of Mendoza, Argentina, served by articulated light rail cars operating on newly relaid tracks in former-Ferrocarril General San Martín mainline right-of-way. The tram system is unusual in the sense that, unlike the rest of railway services in Argentina,[http://autoblog.com.ar/2014/09/23/el-dia-en-que-argentina-dejo-de-manejar-por-la-izquierda/ El día en que Argentina dejó de manejar por la izquierda] – Autoblog, 23 September 2014 the rail cars on this line run on the righthand track instead of the left.

The tram serves the metropolitan area of Mendoza, which includes the departments of Las Heras, Central district, Godoy Cruz, Maipú and Luján de Cuyo. As of 2013, only one line runs a {{convert|12.5|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} stretch between Mendoza Central Station and General Gutierrez in Maipú, on double-track {{RailGauge|sg|al=on}} track.[http://www.jornadaonline.com/Mendoza/49441-Ya-ejecutaron-el-55-de-las-obras-del-metrotranv%C3%ADa Ya ejecutaron el 55% de las obras del metrotranvía] – Jornada Online, 20 July 2010. The finished project includes four lines, {{convert|46.5|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} in length and 50 stations, also connecting downtown with the Airport.[http://www.losandes.com.ar/article/preparan-el-terreno-para-los-rieles-del-metrotranvia-a-las-heras "Preparan el terreno para los rieles del Metrotranvía a Las Heras"], Los Andes, 22 January 2015.[http://www.diariouno.com.ar/mendoza/Proyectos-para-los-recorridos-del-Metrotranvia-al-Aeropuerto-Lujan-y-Maipu-20150119-0017.html "Proyectos para los recorridos del Metrotranvía al Aeropuerto, Luján y Maipú"], Diario Uno, 19 January 2015.

Construction of the first line (Línea Verde, or Green Line)"Mendoza light rail service begins" (December 2012). Tramways & Urban Transit, p. 451. LRTA Publishing. {{issn|1460-8324}}. began in March 2009.{{cite magazine|title=Metrotranvía deal signed|date=24 February 2009|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/metrotranvia-deal-signed.html|magazine=Railway Gazette International|access-date=9 July 2013}} The system opened for regular service on 8 October 2012. In February 2014, the local Government announced the start of constructing works for the second line, linking the city centre with the North, up to Panquehua, in Las Heras Department.{{cite news|title=Second stage of Metrotranvía signed by Government|date=31 January 2014|url=http://mendoza.infonews.com/2014/01/31/mendoza-122258-el-gobierno-firmo-el-inicio-de-obra-de-la-segunda-etapa-del-metrotranvia.php|publisher=Info News Mendoza|access-date=12 February 2014}}

{{main|Tren del Valle}}

File:Tren valle bridge 2.jpg CMM 400-2 DMU crossing one of the Neuquén-Cipolletti bridges.]]

The Tren del Valle (Train of the Valley) is a service that runs between the cities of Neuquén and Cipolletti in Neuquén and Río Negro provinces, expected to begin operating in July 2015 with 22 services per day.[http://web.archive.org/web/20230813023228/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201506/107333-randazzo-anuncio-que-el-tren-del-valle-entre-cipolletti-y-neuquen-comenzara-a-funcionar-el-20-de-julio.html Randazzo anunció que el tren del valle entre Cipolletti y Neuquén comenzará a funcionar el 20 de julio] – Telam, 2 June 2015. While in the first phase of the reactivation of this line (closed in the 1990s after the privatisation of the network) takes it between these two cities, after the opening, it will continue to be extended to General Roca, Plottier and Añelo in 2015 and 2016.[http://www.rionegro.com.ar/diario/randazzo-pone-fecha-a-llegada-a-roca-del-tren-del-alto-valle-7641100-9701-nota.aspx Randazzo pone fecha a llegada a Roca del tren del Alto Valle] – Rio Negro, 2 June 2015.[http://plottier.gov.ar/tren-del-valle-reuniones-para-que-llegue-hasta-plottier-y-senillosa/ Tren del Valle: Reuniones para que llegue hasta Plottier y Senillosa] – Municipalidad de Plottier The line uses Argentine-built Materfer CMM 400-2 DMUs and General Roca Railway tracks, which have been replaced along with the restoration of existing railway bridges, while parts of its route will be shared with YPF freight services that serve the vast Vaca Muerta oil fields in the provinces.[http://www.taringa.net/posts/info/18708293/En-pocos-dias-vuelve-el-Tren-a-Neuquen-y-Rio-Negro.html En pocos dias vuelve el Tren a Neuquén y Río Negro] – Taringa!, 8 June 2015.[http://www.mejorinformado.com/nacionales/2015/6/2/randazzo-anuncio-tren-valle-llegara-hasta-plottier-roca-14485.html Randazzo anunció que el Tren del Valle llegará hasta Plottier y Roca] – Mejor Informado, 2 June 2015. This line was once operated by the Buenos Aires Great Southern Railway, before railway nationalisation in 1948.

The Paraná urban railway is served by two local lines which run on the standard gauge General Urquiza Railway and link Paraná city -Capital of Entre Ríos province- with Colonia Avellaneda and Villa Fontana. The two lines are 9 and {{Cvt|13.4|km}} long, but there are further plans to expand the system. Villa Fontana's line was inaugurated in August 2010 up to Oro Verde and expanded to Villa Fontana in 2011. Colonia Avellaneda's line was inaugurated in March 2011.{{Cite web |url=http://www.sateliteferroviario.com.ar/horarios/local_parana.htm |title=Paraná – Oro Verde – Cnia. Avellaneda en Satélite Ferroviario |access-date=12 February 2014 |archive-date=17 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917131637/http://www.sateliteferroviario.com.ar/horarios/local_parana.htm |url-status=dead }}[http://www.trenesargentinos.gob.ar/servicios/pdf/horarios-parana-colonia-avellaneda.pdf Horarios Paraná – Colonia Avellaneda] – Trenes Argentinos

Paraná city is also linked with interurban services to Concepción del Uruguay and Concordia, Entre Rios' main cities.[http://wwwcronicaferroviaria.blogspot.com.ar/2014/04/sofse-parece-que-la-solucion-vino.html Sofse: Parece que la solución vino rápida y el tren de pasajeros ahora llega hasta Concordia] – Cronica Ferroviaria, 4 April 2014

It serves Great Resistencia, the capital city of the province of Chaco with a {{Cvt|10|km}} line to Puerto Vilelas with 8 stations, and a {{Cvt|20|km}} line to Puerto Tirol with 16 stations. From the intermediate station of Cacuí in the Puerto Tirol Line leaves the interstate line to Los Amores in the province of Santa Fe. The whole network uses the former General Belgrano Railway {{RailGauge|1000mm}} gauge tracks.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sofse.gob.ar/servicios/chaco_metropolitano|title = Trenes Argentinos Operaciones|date = 29 December 2017}}

The system was originally operated by Chaco Railway Services, owned by the Province's Government, but in May 2010 operation was transferred to SOFSE, the state-owned railway company managed by the National Government.{{cite web |url=http://www.diarionorte.com/article/42620/sefecha-paso-a-la-nacion- |title=Sefecha pasó a la Nación |access-date=2 May 2013 |date=10 May 2010|publisher=Editorial Chaco S.A. |location=Resistencia |language=es}}

{{main|Santa Fe Urban Train}}

The Santa Fe Urban Train is project initiated in 2014 for a {{Cvt|3.7|km}} line which runs through the city of Santa Fe in Santa Fe Province using metre gauge General Belgrano Railway tracks.[http://www.santafeciudad.gov.ar/servicios/transporte/proyecto_tren_urbano_santafe.html Proyecto Tren Urbano] – Santa Fe Ciudad, 5 June 2015. In June 2015, the service underwent successful testing on the line and its 8 brand new stops, using Argentine-built TecnoTren railbuses.[http://www.ellitoral.com/index.php/id_um/114557-primera-prueba-de-circulacion-para-el-tren-urbano Probaron el tren urbano] – El Litoral, 8 June 2015. Once fully opened in 2015, this will be the first commuter rail service in the city since railway privatisation in the 1990s, while it is estimated that using the train will be 40% faster than existing bus transport.[http://www.unosantafe.com.ar/santafe/El-Tren-Urbano-aprobo-el-examen-y-funciono-sin-problemas-en-las-vias-20150608-0024.html El Tren Urbano aprobó el examen y funcionó sin problemas en las vías] – UNO Santa Fe, 8 June 2015.[http://www.derf.com.ar/despachos.asp?cod_des=647823 El futuro tren urbano realizará su recorrido en solo 10 minutos] – DERF, 9 January 2015.

{{main|Tren al Desarrollo}}

The historical city of Santiago del Estero will have a commuter rail service called Tren al Desarrollo, which will run on a series of newly built viaducts over the city, as well as existing General Mitre Railway broad gauge tracks.[http://www.sde.gov.ar/index.php?cargar=articulo&id=137 "Tren al Desarrollo, obra pronto a ser inaugurada"], SDE Government The {{Cvt|8|km}} line has undergone testing using Argentine TecnoTren rolling stock and will open to the public in 2016, though its central terminus was inaugurated in 2015.[http://web.archive.org/web/20231019045323/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201406/67687-randazzo-visito-la-futura-estacion-del-tren-al-desarrollo-en-santiago-del-estero.html "Randazzo visitó la futura estación del "Tren al Desarrollo" en Santiago del Estero"], Telam, 17 June 2014[http://wwwcronicaferroviaria.blogspot.com.ar/2015/05/santiago-del-estero-la-estacion-forum.html "Santiago del Estero: La estación Fórum del Tren del Desarrollo impacta por su diseño"] on Crónica Ferroviaria, 11 May 2015[http://www.elliberal.com.ar/ampliada.php?ID=186187 "Iniciarán pruebas del Tren al Desarrollo en la estación Fórum"], El Liberal, 12 May 2015 After its aperture, the line will be further extended to the outskirts of the city, though it has also been considered to extend the line to the nearby city of San Miguel de Tucumán.[http://www.elliberal.com.ar/ampliada.php?ID=140462 "El tren al desarrollo unirá Santiago, Banda y Las Termas"], El Liberal, 18 June 2014[http://www.cadena3.com/contenido/2014/06/20/130451.asp "El Tren al Desarrollo unirá Santiago del Estero y Tucumán"], Cadena3, 20 June 2014

File:San Martín y Santa Fe.jpg once had a 192 km network of trams.[http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/suplementos/rosario/9-11270-2007-11-25.html Los tranvías de Rosario vuelven de la historia] – Pagina/12, 25 November 2007.]]

{{see also|List of town tramway systems in Argentina}}

Up until the mid-twentieth century, most major cities in Argentina had a tramway network, though today only a small number remain.{{cite book|last=Morrison|first=Allen|title=Latin America by Streetcar|year=1996|publisher=Bonde Press|location=New York |isbn=978-0-9622348-3-5 |pages=143, 157}}[http://www.tranviasdecordoba.org.ar/prov_texto.htm Tranvias Argentinos] – Tranvias de Cordoba La Plata was the first Argentine city to receive an electric tramway network in 1892, rather than Buenos Aires which would see its existing network electrified from 1897 onwards. By the mid-1960s, most cities had their tram networks dismantled and replaced with colectivos and trolleybuses. La Plata was the last city to operate trams in Argentina, with its last service operating in December 1966, until the 1980s when the Buenos Aires PreMetro began operations.

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{{Main|Buenos Aires Underground}}

The Buenos Aires Underground (Subterráneo de Buenos Aires-locally known as Subte) is a metro system that serves the city of Buenos Aires, the network was inaugurated in 1913 by the Anglo-Argentine Tramways Company, being the first of its kind in Latin America and in the entire Southern Hemisphere and Spanish speaking world.[http://www.ambito.com/noticia.asp?id=718445 Se cumplieron 100 años del primer viaje en subte] – Ambito, 1 December 2013.

It currently has six lines, with a seventh underway a further two planned, carrying 365 million passengers per year on a {{convert|52|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} network with 83 stations.[http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1790855-aumento-un-12-la-cantidad-de-usuarios-que-usan-el-subte-a-diario Aumentó un 12% la cantidad de usuarios que usan el subte a diario] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508001121/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1790855-aumento-un-12-la-cantidad-de-usuarios-que-usan-el-subte-a-diario |date=8 May 2016 }} – La Nacion, 7 May 2015.[http://enelsubte.com/noticias/sbase-licitara-obras-iniciales-de-la-linea-f-con-miras-al-ano-electoral/ SBASE planea dejar iniciada la línea F para 2015] – EnElSubte, 10 September 2014 The network expanded quickly in its early years, but the rate of expansion had slowed by the 1960s, with serious attempts at expansion and modernisation only occurring in recent years.[http://www.buenosaires.gob.ar/subte/planes-e-inversiones Planes e Inversiones] – Buenos Aires Ciudad

File:Buenos Aires commuter rail network with RER.png tunnels completed.]]

In the city of Córdoba, Argentina, there is a project to build an underground system; the Córdoba Metro, which would make it the second metro system in Argentina.Diario [http://www2.lavoz.com.ar/07/12/15/secciones/grancordoba/nota.asp?nota_id=144390 La Voz Del Interior] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120629220738/http://www2.lavoz.com.ar/07/12/15/secciones/grancordoba/nota.asp?nota_id=144390 |date=29 June 2012 }} Retrieved on 10 July 2009 (Spanish) The network will be 33 kilometres long with 26 stations on 3 lines, with a total cost of $1.8 billion.[http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/cordoba-metro-redesigned.html Córdoba metro redesigned] – Railway Gazette, 19 February 2012 The city of Rosario has also proposed having its own metro system, which is currently being evaluated.[http://enelsubte.com/noticias/impulsa-la-construccion-un-subterraneo-rosario-3285/ Reimpulsan la construcción de un Subte en Rosario] – EnElSubte, 29 July 2014

Work has also begun in Buenos Aires to move the Sarmiento Line underground in an effort to decrease journey times whilst improving traffic conditions above ground. The project will be undertaken in three stages and, when completed, would mean that 32.6 kilometres of the line between Caballito and Moreno will be completely underground, with station entrances above ground similar to a metro system.[http://www.transporte.gov.ar/content/acciones_soterramientodelfe_1316116697/ Soterramiento del Ferrocarril Sarmiento] – Secretaria de Transporte, 8 September 2011 The existing above-ground line has continued to operate while work has occurred below ground for the corresponding sections.[http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/ceremony-marks-start-of-sarmiento-tunnelling.html Ceremony marks start of Sarmiento tunnelling] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223004913/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/ceremony-marks-start-of-sarmiento-tunnelling.html |date=23 December 2015 }} – Railroad Gazette, 5 July 2012[http://www.taringa.net/posts/imagenes/15145484/Fotos-de-la-obra-del-soterramiento-del-Ferrocarril-Sarmiento.html Fotos de la obra del soterramiento del Ferrocarril Sarmiento] – Taringa!

There is also a project announced in 2015 to create a {{convert|16|km|abbr=on}} series of tunnels to connect Retiro railway station, Once railway station and Constitución railway station.[http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1791257-macri-promete-una-estacion-central-debajo-del-obelisco Macri promete una estación central debajo del Obelisco] – La Nacion, 9 May 2015. The result of this would be the Red de Expresos Regionales, which would link together all of Buenos Aires' existing {{convert|812|km|abbr=on}} commuter rail network, allowing for passengers to travel from one side of Greater Buenos Aires to the other making only one connection at a central underground station underneath the Obelisco. The project will cost $1.8 billion and will be carried out in three stages, taking 8 years for it to be fully completed, though some parts are due to commence operation sooner.

File:Mar del Plata train.jpg passenger train on the General Roca Railway.]]

File:Passenger Railways in Argentina 2017.png

File:CNR CKD8 Interior 1.jpeg carriage on a long-distance train.]]

Argentina scrapped many of its uneconomical long-distance passenger train services during the early 1990s and privatised, by concession contract, several main routes to Trenes de Buenos Aires (TBA), Ferrocentral, Ferrobaires, and Trenes Especiales Argentinos. The new services were not what passengers were used to and, with the exception of the Buenos Aires, Rosario, Córdoba and Tucumán corridors, provided erratic and poor-quality services. In recent years however, government policy has changed to one in which the state intends to re-open and operate all services which were formally closed.[http://prensa.argentina.ar/2015/02/28/56535-randazzo-ramal-que-arranca-no-para-nunca-mas.php Randazzo: "Ramal que arranca no para nunca más"] – Sala de prensa de la Republica Argentina, 28 February 2015

Under privatisation, many services ceased to operate for a variety of reasons. Among these were previously iconic routes such as Buenos Aires – Posadas and Buenos Aires – Bariloche.[http://www.sateliteferroviario.com.ar/horarios/posadas.htm F. Lacroze – Apóstoles – Posadas] – Satelite Ferroviario, 8 December 2014[http://www.sateliteferroviario.com.ar/horarios/bariloche.htm Viedma – Jacobacci – Bariloche] – Satelite Ferroviario, 16 March 2015 Recently however, the national government has been replacing very large segments of track in important corridors and routes, using continuous welded rails on concrete sleepers to accommodate trains running at speeds of {{Cvt|160|km/h}}.[http://enelsubte.com/noticias/tren-a-rosario-arranca-el-miercoles-y-tardara-630-horas/ Tren a Rosario arranca el miercoles: tardara 6:30 horas] – EnElSubte[http://wwwcronicaferroviaria.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/mar-del-plata-dia-dia-avanzan-las-obras.html Mar del Plata: Día a día avanzan las obras de renovación de vía] – Crónica Ferroviaria, 2 April 2015 Many of these improvements are nearing completion while others are under way and some are in the planning stages. Long-distance rail travel in Argentina has been described as considerably cheaper than air or bus travel, but also much slower, with maximum speeds of {{Cvt|50|km/h}} even on the newer stretches opened in 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.turismodebolsillo.com.ar/argentina/como-se-viaja-en-los-trenes-argentinos-de-larga-distancia.html/99401|title=¿CÓMO SE VIAJA EN LOS TRENES ARGENTINOS DE LARGA DISTANCIA?|website=Turismo de Bolsillo|access-date=17 August 2019}}

In 2014 there was a 600% increase in spending on railway infrastructure, being spent on projects around the country to revive long-distance services, while this expenditure is expected to be even higher in 2015.[http://www.adifse.com.ar/noticia.php?id_noticias=75 Se publican en la web las obras ferroviarias de ADIF y sus contratos] – ADIFSE, 26 May 2014[http://www.adifse.com.ar/obras.php Obras] – ADIFSE To accommodate this revival in long-distance services, Retiro railway station will receive a new expansion for the services being operated by SOFSE.[http://enelsubte.com/noticias/nuevo-acceso-y-andenes-para-larga-distancia-en-retiro-mitre/ Nuevo acceso y andenes para larga distancia en Retiro Mitre] – EnElSubte, 2 April 2015 Similar projects are nearing completion in cities like Rosario, where a completely new railway terminal has been built in addition to the existing ones.[http://www.adifse.com.ar/noticia.php?id_noticias=93 Se ultiman detalles para la llegada del tren a Rosario] – ADIFSE, 26 January 2015

At the same time, the high speed rail project which had been planned for the Buenos Aires – Rosario – Córdoba corridor has been put on hold since for the moment the routes are being refurbished for the {{Cvt|160|km/h}} services which are considered to be a higher priority, though as of 2015, Chinese proposals for high speed rail are still being considered.[http://www.lavoz.com.ar/noticias/politica/randazzo-sepulta-proyecto-tren-bala-cordoba Randazzo sepulta el proyecto de tren bala a Córdoba] – La Voz, 20 December 2012[http://spanish.peopledaily.com.cn/n/2015/0126/c31620-8841218.html El tren chino de alta velocidad vigoriza América Latina] – People Daily, 26 January 2015

{{main|Ferrobaires|Operadora Ferroviaria Sociedad del Estado}}

File:RETIRO aerea.jpg in Buenos Aires.]]

Inter-city services are currently served by two state-owned railway companies, Trenes Argentinos (that manages all the long-distance passenger rail services) and Ferrobaires (operating services in Buenos Aires Province). Ferrobaires has been criticised for the quality of its service,[http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1775733-randazzo-volvio-a-atacar-con-dureza-a-scioli Randazzo volvió a atacar con dureza a Scioli] – La Nacion, 13 March 2015 though there have been signs that the company (owned by the province of Buenos Aires, rather than the national government) may be dissolved when its remaining services are taken over by Trenes Argentinos.[http://wwwcronicaferroviaria.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/el-caso-ferrobaires.html El caso Ferrobaires] – Cronica Ferroviaria, 24 March 2015

Nowadays, some of the most important cities of Argentina are served by train, departing from Constitucion, Once and Retiro terminus located in the centre of Buenos Aires. Some cities currently are: Mar del Plata, Rosario (both stations, Norte and Sur, Córdoba, General Pico, Santa Rosa, Rufino and San Miguel de Tucumán.[http://www.sateliteferroviario.com.ar/horarios/index.htm Horarios y Destinos] – Satelite Ferroviario

Other regional services are operated by their respectives Provinces, such as Tren a las Nubes (operated by the Government of Salta) and Servicios Ferroviarios Patagónico (also known as "Tren Patagónico") by the Río Negro Province.

File:Tranvía 652 de la Asociación Amigos del Tranvía.jpg in Caballito, Buenos Aires.]]

File:Formación del Tren de las Sierras en Estación Cosquín.JPG.]]

File:Trochita puente sobre Río Chico.JPG crossing the Río Chico.]]

File:The viaduct La Polvorilla, Salta Argentina.jpg.]]

Buenos Aires

• Avellaneda Park Historic Train, a miniature railway which runs through a park in the west of the city, reopened in 2015 after 9 years without services.[http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1824233-los-vecinos-del-parque-avellaneda-volvieron-a-disfrutar-del-historico-tren-de-la-alegria Los vecinos del parque Avellaneda volvieron a disfrutar del histórico "tren de la alegría"] – La Nacion, 2 September 2015.
• Capilla del Señor Historic Train was an {{convert|80|km|mi|abbr=on}} heritage railway operated by the Ferroclub Argentino. The train was pulled by steam locomotives, running on tracks originally built by Buenos Aires Central Railway. The service ceased in 2011.
• The "Tranvía Histórico de Buenos Aires" is a Heritage Tramway inaugurated in 1980 in the Caballito neighborhood on existing vintage street tracks.

Córdoba

• Tren de las Sierras is a {{convert|150|km|0|abbr=on}} {{RailGauge|1000mm|lk=on}} railway line between Alta Córdoba station in the centre of the city of Córdoba and Cosquín.[http://mininterior.gov.ar/prensa/prensa.php?i=3553 "Randazzo recibió el tren que vuelve a unir Alta Córdoba con Cosquín"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505121236/http://mininterior.gov.ar/prensa/prensa.php?i=3553 |date=5 May 2015 }}, Ministerio del Interior y Trasporte, 17 March 2015 It's popular with tourists because of its scenic route through the "Sierras Chicas" of Córdoba Province.

Entre Ríos

• Villa Elisa Historic Train was opened and operated by "Ferroclub Central Entrerriano", a local non-profit association formed by railway enthusiasts. Since then, the service has been running trains pulled by steam locomotives between the cities of Villa Elisa and Caseros in Entre Ríos Province, covering a distance of {{convert|36|km|mi|abbr=on}},[http://www.girasolhosteria.com.ar/tren-historico-de-villa-elisa.php Tren turístico de Villa Elisa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606204007/http://www.girasolhosteria.com.ar/tren-historico-de-villa-elisa.php |date=6 June 2015 }} on Girasol Hostería with a total journey time of 120 minutes.[http://www.clarin.com/todoviajes/Trenes-turisticos_0_1363063685.html "15 trenes turísticos de la Argentina"], Clarín, 24 May 2015

Mendoza

• The "Wine Train" (Tren del Vino) was a project that would provide railway transportation to locals, running along wine producing districts of Mendoza.[http://www.caminosdelvino.com/en/index.php?id_menu=48 Mendoza Wine Train], 26 May 2008 The route had been set from cities of La Colonia (in Alto Verde) to Luján de Cuyo with diesel locomotive trains with 3 coaches each. Despite its opening having been announced for 2008,[http://archivo.losandes.com.ar/notas/2007/11/10/fincas-247674.asp "El Tren del Vino comenzará a rodar por Mendoza en 2008"], Los Andes, 10 November 2007 Tren del Vino never made its inaugural trip. Nevertheless, in April 2014 state-owned Trenes Argentinos Cargas y Logística took over the transportation of wine, carrying the production of Mendoza Province.[http://www.sanjuan8.com/sinseccion/Salio-de-Mendoza-el-primer-tren-con-vino-el-mismo-que-usara-San-Juan-20140412-0009.html "Salió de Mendoza el primer tren con vino, el mismo que usará San Juan"], San Juan 8, Apr 2015

Misiones

• The Rainforest Ecological Train is a small environmentally friendly train that runs for {{convert|3.7|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} through the rainforest inside Iguazú National Park in the north of the province of Misiones.[http://www.iguazuargentina.com/en/que-hacer/10-cosas-para-hacer/tren-ecologico-de-la-selva/ Rainforest Train] – Iguazu National Park

Patagonia

• The narrow-gauge "Old Patagonian Expres" (popularly known as La Trochita), is a {{convert|402|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} long narrow gauge {{RailGauge|750mm|lk=on}} heritage railway in Patagonia using steam locomotives. It is said to be the only narrow-gauge long-distance steam train in operation in the world.[https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/29/world/ingeniero-jacobacci-journal-old-patagonian-express-puff-puff-puffs-to-its-end.html Ingeniero Jacobacci Journal; Old Patagonian Express Puff, Puff, Puffs to Its End] – New York Times, 20 June 1992.[http://www.narrow-gauge.co.uk/articles/the_old_patagonian_express The Old Patagonian Express] – Narrow Gauge Heaven,
• The "Tren Histórico a Vapor" was a short run from Bariloche to Perito Moreno, 4-6-0 steam manufactured in Scotland in 1912 by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow, the Cedar and Mahogany carriages were originally made in England. The service was opened in 2001[http://www.lanacion.com.ar/319789-accidentado-viaje-inaugural-de-un-tren-de-vapor-en-bariloche "Accidentado viaje inaugural de un tren de vapor en Bariloche"], La Nación, 14 July 2001 although it was closed later, remaining inactive up until the present day.

Rosario

• The Bicentennial Tramway runs through the city of Rosario with two different routes and a total of 19 stops.[http://www.tranviarosario.com.ar/recorridos/ Recorridos] – El Tranvia del Bicentinario Rosario got its first trams in 1906, however after they closed in 1962 much of the track was covered in tarmac, so the vintage units have been converted to run on rubber tires.[http://www.tranviarosario.com.ar/imagenes/ Imágenes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725223430/http://www.tranviarosario.com.ar/imagenes/ |date=25 July 2015 }} – El Tranvia del Bicentinario[http://archivo.lacapital.com.ar/2006/10/29/ciudad/noticia_338500.shtml A un siglo de su puesta en marcha, quieren que vuelva a rodar un tranvía ] – La Capital, 29 October 2006 In June 2015, a heritage tram began running on rails using one of the original trams from the restored network; the intention is to provide more heritage services and restore more trams.[http://www.impulsonegocios.com/contenidos/2015/06/06/Editorial_36056.php El tranvía histórico de Rosario vuelve a circular este domingo] – Impulso, 6 June 2015.

Salta

• Tren a las Nubes in the province of Salta crosses canyons and cliffs before arriving at San Antonio de los Cobres. The railway is approximately {{convert|4220|m|ft}} above mean sea level, while its tracks and rolling stock were refurbished in 2015.[http://www.elsol.com.ar/nota/231948/turismo-in-out/el-tren-a-las-nubes.html El Tren a las Nubes] – El Sol, 7 April 2015[http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1781861-despues-de-ocho-meses-volvio-el-tren-a-las-nubes Después de ocho meses, volvió el Tren a las Nubes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123183021/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1781861-despues-de-ocho-meses-volvio-el-tren-a-las-nubes |date=23 January 2016 }} – La Nacion, 5 April 2015[http://turismo.perfil.com/42431-el-tren-mas-famoso-del-pais-vuelve-a-las-nubes/ "El tren más famoso del país vuelve a las nubes"], Perfil, 1 April 2015

Tierra del Fuego

• The Southern Fuegian Railway, called "Tren del Fin del Mundo" – "The Train at the End of the World", is the world's southernmost railway in the province of Tierra del Fuego, operating on narrow gauge {{RailGauge|500mm}}, using steam locomotives.[http://www.railwaysofthefarsouth.co.uk/10apresidio.html 'Transported' for life... Ushuaia Prison – 'The Presidio'] – Railways of the Far South, 25 May 2008.

There are several private freight operators in Argentina, along with the state-owned Trenes Argentinos Cargas y Logística. In 2012, the network carried 12,111 million tonne-kilometres (tonnes x distance travelled).[http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IS.RRS.GOOD.MT.K6?order=wbapi_data_value_2012+wbapi_data_value+wbapi_data_value-last&sort=desc Railways, goods transported (million ton-km)] – World Bank The amount of freight carried by individual operators in 2014 was as follows:

File:Nuevo Central Argentino.jpg freight train on the General Mitre Railway.]]

Trenes Argentinos Cargas y Logistica (TACyL) is a state-owned company created out of the Belgrano Cargas network after the national government terminated the company's contract in 2013, returning it to state control while citing the lack of competitiveness in the private sector as a primary reason for the move.{{cite news|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/freight/single-view/view/belgrano-railway-returns-to-state-control.html|access-date=27 May 2015|title=Belgrano Railway returns to state control|work=Railway Gazette International}}[http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1584612-estatizan-el-ferrocarril-belgrano-cargas "Estatizan el ferrocarril Belgrano Cargas", La Nación, 23 May 2013] Later that year, the government revoked concessions from Brazilian company América Latina Logística citing "serious" contract violations and imposing heavy fines on the company for being in breach of contract.[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-06-04/argentina-seizes-railway-from-brazil-s-all-over-contract-breach Argentina Seizes Railway From Brazil’s ALL Over Contract Breach] – Bloomberg, 4 June 2013. The services managed by this company were also integrated into the new TACyL holding company.[http://argentina.ar/2013/06/04/pais-19434-gobierno-anuncio-estatizacion-del-ferrocarril-de-cargas-america-latina-logistica.php Gobierno anunció estatización del ferrocarril de cargas América Latina Logística] – Argentina.ar, 4 June 2013.

Following the creation of TACyL, the national government began investing heavily in the country's freight network with an AR$12 billion investment to improve its infrastructure, renewing 30% of the rails over the following 2 years.[http://web.archive.org/web/20220706172338/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201411/85538-trenes-belgrano-cargas-y-logistica-inversiones.html Apuntan a recuperar los trenes de cargas con una inversión de casi 12.000 millones de pesos] – Telam, 16 November 2014. This investment also included purchasing 100 locomotives and 3,500 freight cars from China for TACyL which are expected to arrive in 2015, while a separate investment saw the purchase of a further 1,000 cars from Argentine company Fabricaciones Militares.[http://www.fab-militares.gov.ar/fabricaciones-militares-construira-mas-de-1000-vagones-para-el-belgrano-cargas/ Fabricaciones Militares construirá más de 1000 vagones para el Belgrano Cargas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509151743/http://www.fab-militares.gov.ar/fabricaciones-militares-construira-mas-de-1000-vagones-para-el-belgrano-cargas/ |date=9 May 2015 }} – Fabricaciones Militares Further renovation of infrastructure for passenger lines, such as the complete replacement of rails on the Buenos Aires – Rosario – Córdoba – Tucumán route of the General Mitre Railway, will aid private operators such as Nuevo Central Argentino who use those segments.[http://enelsubte.com/noticias/realizaron-primera-apertura-de-sobres-de-la-renovacion-de-vias-a-cordoba/ Realizaron primera apertura de sobres de la renovación de vías a Córdoba] – EnElSubte, 30 April 2015.[http://www.nca.com.ar/Nuestra-red Nuestra Red] – Nuevo Central Argentino

Soon after nationalisation, the government began looking to expand the fleet of the company and began making orders both domestically and abroad. One order consisted of 1000 freight wagons from Argentine state-owned company Fabricaciones Militares. The company also ordered 100 locomotives and 3,500 carriages from China as part of a plan that also included the purchase of 30,000 rails to repair parts of the line.[http://web.archive.org/web/20240111163822/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201502/95096-belgrano-cargas-renovacion-financiamiento-chino.html Avanza la renovación del Belgrano Cargas con financiamiento chino] – Telam, 14 February 2015. In September 2015, it was announced that the original Chinese investment of US$2.4 billion in the Argentine freight network was being doubled to US$4.8 billion and new purchases and infrastructure projects would ensue.[http://enelsubte.com/noticias/duplicaran-el-credito-chino-para-cargas-invertiran-mas-de-4800-millones-de-usd/ Duplicarán el crédito chino para cargas: invertirán más de 4800 millones de USD] – EnElSubte, 14 September 2015.

{{see also|Category:Rolling stock manufacturers of Argentina|Buenos Aires Underground rolling stock}}

Prior to the deterioration of the rail network, Argentina had a greater number of rolling stock manufacturers which supplied trains and cars throughout the railways, however today only a few companies like Materfer, Grupo Emepa, TecnoTren and Fabricaciones Militares remain. While Materfer make the CMM 400-2 diesel multiple units and the MTF-3300 diesel cargo locomotives, Emepa manufacture the Alerce EMU/DMU which is to be used on the Belgrano Norte Line.[http://www.transporte.gov.ar/content/noticia_Nuevoserviciodifer_1427407921/ Nuevo servicio diferencial en el Belgrano Norte, con coches de fabricación nacional] – Secretaria de Transporte, 25 March 2015[http://www.materfer.com/ferroviario/ferroviario.php Ferroviario] – Materfer At the same time, Fabricaciones Militares only makes freight cars, such as those used in the Belgrano Cargas network, though in the past they made electric trains for suburban and underground lines. There have been signs that the industry is reviving and expanding, while at the same time there are many workshops around the country which refurbish and modernise older rolling stock.[http://web.archive.org/web/20220706160623/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201307/25946-tecnicos-espanoles-colaboraran-con-la-recuperacion-de-los-talleres-ferroviarios-argentinos.html Técnicos españoles colaborarán con la recuperación de los talleres ferroviarios argentinos ] – Telam, 23 July 2013[http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/suplementos/futuro/13-3003-2014-04-24.html Tecnología e innovación ferroviaria en la Argentina] – Pagina/12, 19 April 2014

Though the industry is being revived, the country no longer has the capacity to manufacture long-distance locomotives and EMUs for suburban lines, so these are mostly imported from China and are made by companies such as CSR Corporation Limited and China CNR Corporation, with CSR planning to open a factory in Argentina and purchasing the Argentine company Emprendimientos Ferroviarios, which is now its subsidiary.[http://web.archive.org/web/20220524001602/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201411/84072-fbrica-de-trenes-china-argentina.html La fábrica de trenes china CSR Sifang se instalará en la Argentina] – Telam, 4 November 2014[http://enelsubte.com/noticias/csr-adquiere-emfer-y-desembarca-la-argentina-3063/ CSR adquiere EMFER y desembarca en la Argentina] – EnElSubte, 24 February 2014.

File:Emepa Alerce train.jpg|An Emepa Alerce DMU

File:Sarmiento line rolling stock.jpg|Commuter rail rolling stock

File:Tren 0km entre Neuquén y Cipolletti 1.jpg|A Materfer CMM 400-2 on the Tren del Valle

File:Trenesarg cyl locomot.jpg|EMD locomotives are widely used for freight

File:Long distance passenger train.jpg|CNR CKD8 long distance rolling stock

File:San Martin Line CSR SDD7.jpg|A CSR SDD7 train on the San Martín Line

File:CNR DMU Belgrano Sur.jpg|A Belgrano Sur Line CNR DMU

File:Trenurbano1.jpeg|A Tecnotren railbus

• {{flagicon|BOL}} Bolivia – {{RailGauge|1000mm}} gauge both countries. Two rail connections between (Villazón, Bolivia – La Quiaca, Argentina) and (Yacuiba, Bolivia – Salvador Mazza, Argentina).
• {{flagicon|BRA}} Brazil – break of gauge, {{RailGauge|1435mm}} gauge in Argentina and {{RailGauge|1000mm}} gauge in Brazil. Bridge over Uruguay River linking Paso de los Libres (Argentina) and Uruguaiana (Brazil).
• {{flagicon|CHI}} Chile – South Trans-Andean Railway was a proposal of a link between Zapala, Argentina and Lonquimay, Chile. {{RailGauge|1676mm}} gauge in both countries.{{Cite web |url=http://www.iadb.org/biz/ppt/092305tuliod.pdf |title=Initiative for Regional Infrastructure Integration in South America |access-date=20 May 2008 |archive-date=28 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070628071653/http://www.iadb.org/biz/ppt/092305tuliod.pdf |url-status=dead }}
• {{flagicon|CHI}} Chile – Transandine Railway between Mendoza and Santa Rosa de Los Andes, now defunct, but under reconstruction.[http://www.seconstruye.com/webnoticia/asp/interior.asp?id=17067 En julio se licitará tren Los Andes – Mendoza] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310140626/http://www.seconstruye.com/webnoticia/asp/interior.asp?id=17067 |date=10 March 2007 }} Retrieved on 26 May 2008 (Spanish) This mountain railway of {{RailGauge|1000mm}} gauge with rack railway sections had a break of gauge {{RailGauge|5ft6in}}/{{RailGauge|1000mm}} at either end.
• {{flagicon|CHI}} Chile – Salta–Antofagasta railway, single {{RailGauge|1000mm}} gauge linking Salta to Antofagasta. The Tren a las Nubes is a tourist service running for {{Cvt|217|km}} on the Argentine side.
• {{flagicon|PAR}} Paraguay – Posadas-Encarnación {{RailGauge|1435mm}} gauge both countries, service began in 2014.[http://www.territoriodigital.com/nota3.aspx?c=8717255571933626 "Empezó a circular el tren que une Posadas y Encarnación"], Territorio Digital, January 2015
• San Roque González de Santa Cruz Bridge
• {{flagicon|URU}} Uruguay – Tren de los Pueblos Libres {{RailGauge|1435mm}} in both countries, a short-lived service made to re-open the once closed link. It ceased operation after all concessions to the private company TBA were revoked following the Once Tragedy.[http://www.eldiaonline.com/el-tren-que-unia-argentina-y-uruguay-dejo-de-funcionar-de-modo-definitivo/ "El tren que unía Argentina y Uruguay dejó de funcionar de modo definitivo"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709232754/http://www.eldiaonline.com/el-tren-que-unia-argentina-y-uruguay-dejo-de-funcionar-de-modo-definitivo/ |date=9 July 2015 }}, El Día, 28 May 2012

{{See also|Benavídez rail disaster|2011 Flores rail crash|2012 Buenos Aires rail disaster}}

File:Accidente benavidez 6.jpg is the worst in Argentina's history.]]

File:Estación-Flores-10.jpg.]]

The worst rail accident in Argentina in terms of fatalities occurred on 1 February 1970 when two trains collided near Ingeniero Maschwitz in Greater Buenos Aires.[http://www.todotren.com.ar/grandescatastrofes/1016.htm Un convoy del Ferrocarril General Mitre (hoy NCA), proveniente de Tucumán, embistió a otro, detenido] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225053255/http://www.todotren.com.ar/grandescatastrofes/1016.htm |date=25 February 2012 }} – Todo TrenThe Times, Tuesday, 3 February 1970; pg. 7; Issue 57784; col A This due to a passenger train carrying 700 people coming to a halt with mechanical problems, while a long distance General Mitre Railway train carrying 500 passengers from Tucumán crashed into it from behind.[http://autorneto.com/referencia/paranormal/la-bajada-71/ La Bajada 71] – Autorneto, 22 September 2009. The total death toll was 142 people, with 368 injured.[http://edant.clarin.com/diario/2008/03/10/sociedad/s-03104.htm?_url=/diario/2008/03/10/sociedad/s-03104.htm Uno de los peores accidentes ferroviarios del país] – Clarin, 10 March 2008.

From 2008 to 2012, there were a series of rail accidents which eventually led to the re-nationalisation of the rail network. Before dawn on 9 March 2008, a passenger train slammed into a bus at a rural Argentine level crossing, near Dolores, some {{convert|125|mi|km|0}} south of Buenos Aires, killing 18 people and leaving at least 47 others injured. The bus driver ignored the warning lights and lowered crossing gates.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080312233221/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/03/09/argentina.train.bus.ap/index.html Argentina train bus collision]

On 13 September 2011, a passenger train operated by Trenes de Buenos Aires hit a bus on a level crossing at Flores in Buenos Aires during the morning rush hour, killing 11 people and injuring 265.{{cite news|title=Argentina Bus and Trains Crash Killing at Least 11|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-14900399|access-date=24 February 2012|publisher=BBC News|date=14 September 2011}} The train derailed, and crashed into a train standing at the platform in the adjacent station. The bus driver had ignored warning lights and a partly lowered barrier.{{cite news|title=Al Menos Once Muertos y 228 Heridos en la Mayor Tragedia con Trenes en la Ciudad en Casi 50 Años|url=http://www.clarin.com/ciudades/tren-embistio-colectivo-Flores-heridos_0_553744795.html|access-date=23 February 2012|newspaper=Clarín|date=13 September 2011|location=Buenos Aires|language=es}}

The second-worst rail accident in terms of fatalities occurred on 22 February 2012 a passenger train operated by TBA crashed into the solid buffers at the Once station near downtown Buenos Aires, killing 51 people and injuring over 700 others.{{cite news|url=http://www.clarin.com/sociedad/operativo-resulto-eficaz-revela-fallas_0_652734821.html|newspaper=Clarín|date=25 February 2012|title=Un operativo que resultó eficaz pero que ahora revela fallas|first=Einat|last=Rozenwasser|access-date=25 February 2012|language=es|archive-date=20 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020060030/http://www.clarin.com/sociedad/operativo-resulto-eficaz-revela-fallas_0_652734821.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Tragedia ferroviaria en Once: ya son 50 los muertos y hay 703 heridos|trans-title=Once rail tragedy: Already 50 dead and 703 wounded|url=http://www.infobae.com/notas/633364-Exclusivo-el-momento-de-la-tragedia-que-causo-49-muertos-en-Once.html|work=Infobae|date=22 February 2012|access-date=27 February 2012|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225003250/http://www.infobae.com/notas/633364-Exclusivo-el-momento-de-la-tragedia-que-causo-49-muertos-en-Once.html|archive-date=25 February 2012|url-status=live}} President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner called for two days of national mourning following the accident.{{cite news|title=El gobierno nacional decretó duelo y suspendió el carnaval|trans-title=The national government declares mourning and suspends the Carnival|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1450790-el-gobierno-nacional-decreto-duelo-y-suspendio-el-carnaval?sitio=desktop|newspaper=La Nación|date=22 February 2012|access-date=22 February 2012|language= es|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223001741/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1450790-el-gobierno-nacional-decreto-duelo-y-suspendio-el-carnaval?sitio=desktop|archive-date=23 February 2012}}

Following these accidents, all of TBA's concessions were revoked and the national government began restoring rail infrastructure and purchasing brand new rolling stock for Buenos Aires' commuter rail lines, as well as huge investment across the country.[http://www.clarin.com/politica/Finalmente-Gobierno-concesion-Sarmiento-TBA_0_706129566.html Finalmente, el Gobierno le sacó las concesiones del Sarmiento y del Mitre a TBA] – Clarín, 24 May 2012. These moves eventually led to the complete re-nationalisation of the country's railway network, with safety concerns under private operation being one of the primary reasons.[http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/economia/subnotas/270658-72340-2015-04-16.html Las claves de la estatización] – Pagina/12, 16 April 2015.[http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1794622-el-gobierno-promulgo-la-ley-de-estatizacion-de-los-ferrocarriles Oficial: el Gobierno promulgó la ley de estatización de los ferrocarriles] – La Nacion, 21 May 2015.

{{Portal|Trains|Argentina}}

• Transportation in Argentina
• Buenos Aires Underground
• Ferrocarriles Argentinos (2015)
• Rail transport by country
• State-owned Argentine Railway Companies
• List of secondary, industrial and Decauville railways in Argentina

{{Clear}}

{{reflist}}

• Pendle, George. "Railways in Argentina" History Today (Feb 1958) 8#2 pp 119–125.
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080331130913/http://www.latintracks.net/index.htm Latin Tracks]}} (Latin-American railway magazine)
• Mario J. López and Jorge A. Waddell, Nueva Historia del Ferrocarril en la Argentina – 150 años de Politica Ferroviaria (A New History of Railways in Argentina – 150 Years of Railway Policies) – Ediciones Lumiere (2007) – {{ISBN|978-987-603-032-8}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://www.argentina.gob.ar/transporte/trenes Trenes Argentinos], largest operator
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20030727100233/https://www.todotren.com.ar/mundo/histo_1.htm Historia del Ferrocarril] on Todo Tren (archived)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080118151157/http://www.trenhistoricoavapor.com/home.htm Tren Histórico a Vapor (Bariloche–Perito Moreno)] (archived)
• [http://www.martynbane.co.uk/modernsteam/ldp/argentina/arg.htm 'Argentina' locomotive by Livio Dante Porta & Co. Ltd.] on Martynbane.co.uk
• [https://sateliteferroviario.com.ar/horarios/mapa_argentina.htm Railway map of Argentina] at Satélite Ferroviario
• [https://tranvia.org.ar/ Asociación Amigos del Tranvía] (trams)

{{Rail transport in Argentina}}

{{Railway Companies in Argentina}}

{{Railway stations in Argentina}}

{{Urban public transport in Argentina}}

{{Rolling stock manufacturers of Argentina}}

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