TWO big contracts, one with Chinese companies the other with Russian train builder Transmashholding (TMH), were agreed in early 2022 to modernise large parts of the busy commuter rail system serving the Argentine Capital Buenos Aires. The plans will see electrification replacing intensive diesel-hauled services and older electric trains replaced by new EMUs.
The Argentine Government signed several agreements with Chinese companies China Railway International Group (CRIG) and rolling stock manufacturer CRRC in January. The two agreements with CRIG cover the modernisation and electrification of the Belgrano Norte suburban metre gauge line from Retiro Belgrano station in Buenos Aires to Villa Rosa and its extension 15km further west to Pilar by conversion of existing freight only track.
The line is currently mostly operated using diesel locomotives, mainly a batch of 1970/80s built GT22 CU locos, and is one of the few suburban services in Argentina not operated by state operator Trenes Argentinos – although the latter does run some DMU services. The line’s concession holder – since 1994 – is private company Ferrovías.
The Government announced in 2018 that the contract would not be renewed, although Ferrovías remains the operator at present. The timescales for electrification have not yet been published.