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6h ago

Railway Day in Argentina Honors the 1857 Opening of the Nation’s First Line

The date recalls La Porteña’s August 29 trial run followed by the August 30 ceremony that formally launched rail service.

Trenes Argentinos
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Overview

  • On August 29, 1857, the British-built locomotive La Porteña carried passengers from Estación del Parque (today’s Plaza Lavalle) to San José de Flores, covering about 10 km in roughly 35 minutes at around 20 km/h.
  • Argentina marks August 30 because the official inauguration occurred the day after the first trip, establishing the anniversary now observed as Día del Ferrocarril.
  • La Porteña belonged to the Sociedad Camino de Hierro del Ferrocarril Oeste, arrived in 1856, hauled four wooden carriages lit by oil lamps, and pulled twelve freight wagons rated for up to 60 tons.
  • The locomotive was driven by brothers Juan and Thomas Allen, with engineer Guillermo Brogge leading track installation supported by several foremen and about 160 specialized English workers; a June test run with figures like Mitre and Alsina derailed without injuries.
  • After roughly three decades in service, La Porteña was retired and is preserved at the Museo de Transportes in Luján, as current retrospectives connect the 1857 start to today’s commuter and long‑distance routes radiating from Buenos Aires.