Last One!

Ok I promise this will be my last blog about the trains in Chile. It will be a bit hard to do another as I am headed home Saturday and currently in Peru.

I have some new projects awaiting completion on my return, so they will be the focus of the first post. But until then here are some shots of Steam engines in a dedicated park in Santiago. The park is in the city and it cost 800 pesos or $1.70 to enter. Well worth the price for the amount of locos and the few carriages they have in the park. They are very fortunate that they have low rainfall, it has helped to keep the locos in good condition. They are all surrounded by a gardens which are well maintained by the staff. Some locos are also set up on dioramas eg bridges,turntables, stations & inspection pits.

This bad boy is sitting on a turntable. The lettering FCTC on the side stands for Ferro Carril Transdine Chile. I believe it entered service in 1910 through to 1978. It operated freight and passenger services.

Another view of the same loco, this time showing the running gear.

This is one of two which were built. Primarily used for yard work. Set up with a 4 wheel timber passenger wagon. No info provided on it.

This little guy operated from 1912-1978 and had 233Hp.

4 wheel timber Signal wagon. Built 1916 it started life as a cargo wagon, 30yrs later it became a signal wagon.

Did you know Mitsubishi made steam engines? Me either. Various batches were Built in 1929 by Baldwin. The last 30 of these were constructed by Mitsubishi in 1959. Initially for fast heavy passenger they were later used on freight.

Love that car.... um train!

No info on this one, but the flowers add a nice touch!

This monster was Built by ALCo in 1940 and was one of the biggest steam engines in Chile perhaps even the entire continent. It ended service in 1969 with 2338 Hp and standing 4.5mts high. Its fuel consumption was so high it could not be fed by a stoker, it had an endless automatic coal feeder. (Note little old me 6ft)

One of 42 built and designed in Chile from a British design as a starting point. Used on light rail passenger services. Served from 1912-1971 it had 570 Hp.

Built by Rodgers between 1884-1893 they lasted until 1970, nearly 90 years! It had 468 Hp.

No info on this one, but another steam engine.

Lastly, assembled from 1896 by various manufactures this loco was used in main line freight, later being given minor duties. They lasted up till 1972 and had 622Hp.