Roca Line

File:Tranvías en Constitución.jpg (1912)]]

File:EMU of Linea Roca built in Japan.jpg in Metropolitano livery (2002)|alt=]]

File:Formación del FCGR entre estaciones Claypole y Rafael Calzada.jpg locomotive near Claypole]]

This line had previously been run by the state-owned company Ferrocarriles Argentinos since nationalisation of the Argentine railways in 1948. Branches from Constitución to Ezeiza and Glew were electrified and the entire fleet of trains renewed, acquiring multiple units by Japanese companies Nippon Sharyo, Kinki Sharyo, Tokyu Car, Kawasaki and Hitachi. The electrified rail system was opened to public in November, 1985.{{cite web|url=http://portaldetrenes.com.ar/articulos/466/los-electricos-japoneses-del-roca?mkt_hm=3|title=Los eléctricos japoneses del Roca|author=Bilstein, Andrés J.|publisher=Portal de Trenes|date=20 October 2014|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}} The design of these Japanese-built cars was based upon the Odakyu 9000 series, built for the first time between 1972 and 1977.

Ferrocarriles Argentinos operated the trains until 1991 when residual company FEMESA temporarily took over all the urban services prior to the privatisation of the network. After the Government of Carlos Menem privatised the urban railways services, the private company Metropolitano (TMR) took over Roca Line through concession.

Nevertheless, non-compliance with the terms and conditions (such as lack of investment and poor maintenance of the line, in spite of the large government subsidies received by Metropolitano) led the Government of Argentina to revoke the contract of concession in 2007.{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/910775-kirchner-le-quito-la-concesion-de-trenes-a-metropolitano|title=Kirchner le quitó la concesión de trenes a Metropolitano|trans-title=Kirchner revoked the Metropolitan train concession|work=La Nación|date=22 May 2007|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es|archive-date=13 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113165220/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/910775-kirchner-le-quito-la-concesion-de-trenes-a-metropolitano|url-status=dead}} The UGOFE consortium took over the service until 12 February 2014, when it was announced that the line would be granted to the local Emepa Group.{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1663435-el-gobierno-vuelve-a-privatizar-la-operacion-de-los-trenes-mitre-san-martin-belgrano-sur-y-r|title=Trenes: le dan a Roggio el Mitre y el San Martín y a Emepa, el Roca y el Belgrano Sur|trans-title=Trains: They go to Roggio, the Miter and the San Martin and to Emepa, the Rock and the South Belgrano|work=La Nación|date=12 February 2014|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}}{{cite news|url=http://www.clarin.com/politica/privadas-volveran-operar-mayoria-ferroviarias_0_1083491853.html|title=Las privadas volverán a operar la mayoría de las líneas ferroviarias|trans-title=Private companies will re-operate most of the railway lines|work=Clarín|date=12 February 2014|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}}{{cite web|url=http://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201402/51395-el-gobierno-establecio-un-nuevo-regimen-de-operaciones-de-las-lineas-ferroviarias.html|archivedate=2022-05-22|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20220522033454/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201402/51395-el-gobierno-establecio-un-nuevo-regimen-de-operaciones-de-las-lineas-ferroviarias.html|title=El Gobierno estableció un nuevo régimen de operaciones de las líneas ferroviarias|trans-title=The Government established a new operating regime for the railway lines|agency=Télam|date=12 February 2014|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}}

After the concession was revoked, a temporary consortium named "UGOFE", took over the Roca line.{{cite web|author=Sanchéz, Nora|date=20 March 2007|title=En abril arrancaría la etapa final de la electrificación del Roca|trans-title=In April the final stage of the electrification of the Rock would start|work=La Nación|url=http://www.clarin.com/diario/2007/03/20/laciudad/h-03615.htm|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}}

Several projects were announced to modernize the line and improve its service, setting as a priority the electrification of the whole system. Other projects included a new maintenance yard in the town of Tolosa in La Plata Partido, several new bridges and tunnels at road crossings and improved grade crossings, all new concrete sleepers and welded rail joints for the entire line, the remodeling of 50 stations and the purchase of 200 electric coaches of the latest technology.{{cite web|author=DyN|date=11 March 2008|title=Electrificarán todos los ramales del Ferrocarril Roca|work=perfil.com|url=http://www.perfil.com/contenidos/2008/03/11/noticia_0053.html|access-date=1 March 2016|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170403/http://www.perfil.com/contenidos/2008/03/11/noticia_0053.html|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}} Presently electrification of Avellaneda-Quilmes and Temperley-Bosques sections are under way.

File:Roca Line Electrification.jpeg

In April 2013 the University train of La Plata service was opened, using railbuses built by the Argentine company TecnoTren.[http://www.infoauto.com.ar/noticias.php?articulo_id=2613 "TecnoTren: La verdad es que nos cuesta muy poca plata fabricarlo" - interview to Jorge Beritich, president of TecnoTren, Infoauto.com]{{cite news|url=http://www.eldia.com.ar/edis/20130426/Ya-rueda-tren-universitario-20130426080344.htm|title=Ya rueda el tren universitario|trans-title=The university train is already rolling|work=El Día|date=26 April 2013|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}} In that same year, Argentine state-owned company SOFSE announced that brand new electric multiple unit trains had been acquired for the line's metropolitan services. The contract included 300 coaches for the Roca Line, among the new rolling stock purchased for other lines.{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1584879-prometen-nuevos-vagones-para-el-roca|author=Obarrio, Mariano|title=Prometen nuevos vagones para el Roca|work=La Nación|date=24 May 2013|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}}{{cite news|url=http://www.ambito.com/noticia.asp?id=689761|author=Franco, Liliana|title=Gobierno anunció la compra de 300 vagones para el Roca" by Liliana Franco|trans-title=Government announced the purchase of 300 wagons for Roca|work=Ambito Financiero|date=23 May 2013|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}}{{cite news|url=http://www.clarin.com/politica/Preparan-megacompra-directa-trenes-China_0_913708707.html|title=Preparan otra megacompra directa de trenes a China|work=Clarín|date=5 May 2013|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}}

The State-owned company Operadora Ferroviaria took over Roca Line (operated by Argentren) after the Government of Argentina rescinded the contracts signed with the company on 2 March 2015. The contract terms specified that the concession could be cancelled with no right to claim compensation.{{cite news|url=http://www.ieco.clarin.com/economia/Nueva-ley-trenes-esta-lista_0_1315068533.html|author=Alfie, Alejandro|title=Ya está lista la ley que prevé más control estatal sobre los trenes|trans-title=The law that provides for more state control over trains is now passed|work=Clarín|date=5 March 2015|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}} The agreements had been signed in February 2014, committing Argentren and Corredores Ferroviarios to operate the lines.{{cite news|url=http://www.ambito.com/noticia.asp?id=780856|title=Estado rescindió contrato de trenes a privados y avisó que no pagará indemnizaciones|work=Ambito Financiero|date=2 March 2015|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}}{{cite news|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/buenos-aires-commuter-routes-renationalised.html|title=Buenos Aires commuter routes renationalized|work=Railway Gazette|date=3 March 2015|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}}{{cite journal|url=http://www.boletinoficial.gov.ar/Avisos/VerPDF.castle?f=20150302&s=01&pd=9&ph=0&sup=False|title=Resolution N° 171/2015|journal=Official Bulletin of Argentina|language=es}}

In March 2015, a total of 300 brand-new electric multiple units acquired to Chinese company CSR arrived in Argentina. The National Government announced that the new CSR EMUs would be put into service in June 2015,{{cite web|url=http://www.diariobae.com/notas/60595-trenes-la-presidenta-recibio-300-coches-nuevo-para-renovar-la-linea-roca.html|title=Trenes: CFK recibió 300 coches nuevos para renovar la línea Roca|trans-title=Trains: CFK received 300 new cars to renew the Roca line|publisher=BAE Negocios|date=5 March 2015|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063649/http://www.diariobae.com/notas/60595-trenes-la-presidenta-recibio-300-coches-nuevo-para-renovar-la-linea-roca.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}} what finally happened on 8th of that month.{{cite news|url=http://www.cronica.com.ar/article/details/34117/ya-corren-los-nuevos-trenes-0-km-en-el-roca|title=Ya corren los nuevos trenes 0 km en el Roca|trans-title=The new 0 km trains are already running on the Rock|work=Crónica|date=8 June 2015|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042651/http://www.cronica.com.ar/article/details/34117/ya-corren-los-nuevos-trenes-0-km-en-el-roca|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}

The line also reestablished services to Claypole (Constitución–Bosques–Gutiérrez branch) serving with the brand-new EMUs bought from China.{{cite news|url=http://www.diariopopular.com.ar/notas/230633-sorpresa-y-satisfaccion-reanudacion-trenes-electricos-claypole|title=Sorpresa y satisfacción por reanudación de trenes eléctricos a Claypole|trans-title=Surprise and satisfaction for the resumption of electric trains to Claypole|work=Diario Popular|date=7 July 2015|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}}[http://www.sofse.gob.ar/servicios/pdf/roca/adicional-constitucion-claypole.pdf Horarios Constitución-Claypole] on SOSFE website Retrieved 13 November 2017. The service had previously been suspended in February 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.clarin.com/ciudades/tren-Claypole-Constitucion-Roca_0_1217278681.html|title=Hasta marzo, problemas en el tren de Claypole a Constitución|work=Clarín|date=23 September 2014|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}}

There are currently ongoing electrification works on the line, most notably on the Buenos Aires - La Plata service which has received a US$500 million investment from the state,{{cite web|url=http://enelsubte.com/noticias/avanza-la-obra-de-electrificacion-del-roca/|title=Avanza la obra de electrificación del Roca|publisher=EnElSubte|date=18 June 2015}} 300 of which come from an Inter-American Development Bank loan.{{cite web|url=http://uecmovilidad.gob.ar/mejora-integral-ferrocarril-roca/|title=Mejora Integral Ferrocarril Roca|publisher=Unidad Ejecutora Central, Ministry of the Interior and Transport|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}}{{cite web|url=http://www.iadb.org/es/proyectos/project-information-page,1303.html?id=AR-L1158|title=AR-L1158: Proyecto de Mejora Integral del Ferrocarril Gral Roca: Ramal Colnstitución - La Plata|publisher=Inter-American Development Bank|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}} Other works on the line include the refurbishment of stations and the raising of platforms to match the height of the new CSR rolling stock, while the construction of new underpasses and other infrastructure improvements is due to reduce travel times by around 50%.{{cite web|url=http://enelsubte.com/noticias/adjudicaron-construccion-de-andenes-provisorios-en-el-ramal-a-la-plata/|title=Adjudicaron construcción de andenes provisorios en el ramal a La Plata|publisher=EnElSubte|date=13 June 2015|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}}{{cite web|url=http://mininterior.gov.ar/prensa/prensa.php?i=4127|title=Randazzo, junto a los intendentes Ferraresi y Gutiérrez, recorrieron obras de electrificación y de Pasos Bajo Nivel de la Línea Roca|publisher=Ministerio del Interior y Transporte|date=13 June 2015|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}}

On 5 December 2015, the electrified service between Constitución and Quilmes was presented, although the service was only opened next year, after the presidential elections, on 13 February.[http://web.archive.org/web/20171113113853/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201602/136061-macri-randazzo-tren-roca.html Macri inauguró el tramo eléctrico del Roca en Quilmes y dijo que "el Estado tiene que ser inteligente"] - Agencia Télam, 13 February 2016. On 13 June 2016, the Quilmes-Berazategui section began service.{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1908535-mauricio-macri-inauguro-una-extension-del-tren-electrico-de-la-linea-roca|title=Mauricio Macri inauguró la extensión del tren eléctrico de la línea Roca a Berazategui|trans-title=Mauricio Macri inaugurates the extension of the electric train of the Roca line to Berazategui|work=La Nación|date=13 June 2015|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}}

In March 2017, the first section of the electrified service was opened, joining Constitución with City Bell, covering almost 45 km-length. The entire project includes to extend the electrified service to La Plata downtown.{{cite news|url=http://www.clarin.com/ciudades/roca-electrico-llega-hoy-city-bell_0_SJbV9ilse.html|author=Debesa, Fabián|title=Desde hoy, el servicio eléctrico del tren Roca llegará hasta City Bell|trans-title=From today, the electric service of the Roca train will reach City Bell|work=Clarín|date=11 March 2017|access-date=13 November 2017|language=es}} The extension to La Plata was opened on 18 October 2017, about two years late due to numerous delays in construction.{{cite journal|url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/central-south-america/roca-line-electric-services-reach-la-plata.html?channel=536|author=Barrow, Keith|title=Roca Line electric services reach La Plata|journal=International Railway Journal|date=20 October 2017}}

In January 2018, Argentinian Minister of Transport Guillermo Dietrich approved an order of 200 EMU cars from CRRC Qingdao Sifang for service on the Roca Line, where they were to replace Toshiba EMUs that were built in the 1980s.{{cite web | url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/crrc-to-supply-200-roca-emu-cars.html | title=CRRC to supply 200 Roca EMU cars | work=Railway Gazette| date=10 January 2018 | access-date=24 January 2018}}

{{Roca Line}}

Companies that have operated the Roca Line since it was established after the 1948 nationalisation are:

File:Roca Line EMU2.jpg in Trenes Argentinos livery]]

File:Tren universitario lp.JPG]]

File:BNA FO011851.jpg|La Plata railway station under construction (1902)

File:EMD GT22CW locomotive (A903) - 01.jpg|Metropolitano locomotive at La Plata

File:Estación Banfield - Ferrocarril Roca - Buenos Aires.jpg|Banfield station

File:Extremo oriental de la estación Claypole.jpg|Claypole station, platforms

File:CityBellStation_RocaLine_August2017.jpg|City Bell station, post-renovation

File:TolosaStation LineaRoca August2017.jpg|Tolosa station, under renovation

• University train of La Plata
• Toshiba EMU (Roca Line)
• Roca Railway
• Trenes Argentinos

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{{Commons category }}

• {{official website}}
• [https://www.trenroca.com.ar/ Tren Roca] (unofficial)

{{Buenos Aires Transit}}

{{Rail transport in Argentina}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Linea Roca (Buenos Aires)}}

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Category:25 kV AC railway electrification