Officials board the first freight train at Palpala for 25 years as residents applaud. Picture: Buenos Aires Herald
Hundreds of people turned out this week to welcome the return of freight trains to the Argentinian town of Palpala, after a gap of 25 years.
Bringing the trains back to Palpala, near the northern provincial capital of San Salvador de Jujuy, has involved four months of work on repairs to the track and reinforcing the bridge over the river Perico, 15 miles from the town.
Argentinian Transport Minister Florencio Randazzo attended the ceremony at Palpala, along with provincial governor Eduardo Fellner. They watched the first train, carrying timber from Chaco province, arrive at the station.
Ministers believe that about 20,000 tons of freight will be carried by train in the next few months, generating work, cost reduction, relief for the roads and fewer road accidents.
Palpala is on the metre gauge Belgrano Cargas network, which the Argentinian government took back under state control in 2013.
Argentinian President Cristina Fernández said that the Government would make a significant investment in new wagons and restoring existing vehicles in workshops at Córdoba and Tafí Viejo, with the aim of making the 4,500 mile long Belgrano network play a key role in moving grain and other export crops.
The Government also signed a £1.5 billion agreement in 2013 with the China Machinery Engineering Corporation to upgrade the Belgrano Cargas network, including supplying new locomotives and wagons.
Transport minister Randazzo said: “It will mean the return of the freight train as the key to reducing transport costs.”
Information from Railway Gazette and Buenos Aires Herald