Image shows one of two 2-10-2 750mm gauge locomotives recently overhauled in Buenos Aries for the Rio Turbio railway in SW Argentina. Locomotives were built new by Mitsubishi some as late as 1962. The early versions were modified by Dante Porta the later ones were delivered to his specifcations.

The wheels out, boiler off overhaul took 13 months......

There are about 20 of these locomotives still stored on the railway. They last ran commercially in about 1995.

The same workshop is also overhauling locomotives for the "Old Patagonian Express" at Esquel.

TH

The engine truly does look amazing, but I hope someone gets some insulation on those front cylinder heads before Ing. Porta rolls in his grave! :-)

Some thoughts on this photo:

For some reason, perhaps the small drivers, this almost looks like something for an amusement park--but we know better!

The engine is empty of water--but look how it compresses the tires under the trailer!

I am also reminded that supposedly Baldwin and the East Broad Top considered that the last three 2-8-2s should have been built as 2-10-2s! Curvature restrictions changed that, but can you imagine such drag power running out of Orbisonia?

More images

http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/tra ... tina16.htm

http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/tra ... tina18.htm


Only about 6 months between these two sets of images.......

Thanks Trevor!

Those are the shiniest RFIRT locos I've ever seen. I understand the 119 and the 104/116 are the lucky couple.


Best Regards,
Glenn

"I am also reminded that supposedly Baldwin and the East Broad Top considered"

Here you go.

The EBT 2-10-2's would have been quite a bit bigger than these. Of course, they would have had 6" more gauge to accommodate the size increase.

Stats on the RFIRT 2-10-2's can be found on my page here:

http://www.trainweb.org/tusp/rt_2_10_2s.html

Obviously, with the restoration of these two locomotives my page is due for an update!

Here is how the locos looked in 2006. I was with a group that visited after these photos were taken. The railroad had promised to fire up one of the locos. However they were not ready to operate anything that day. We left very disappointed because this was one of the highlights of the trip. My wife did the negotiations with the railroad in advance by nearly a year. When we arrived for the group tour, the Mayor of the Town of Rio Turbio wanted a picture showing the large group of Gringos he had brought to town. It seems that this new push is making a big change. All photos by Miryam Brown 2006.

Note in the shop photo #119 is the deadline next the shop building.

Some more from Rio Turbio. Note Red Romanian diesel. These need to be replaced and the rebuilding the steam fleet may be a more economical route. This is all 2 ft 5 1/2 in. gauge like the Esquel/Old Patagonian Express, just bigger engines for hauling coal.

Dale Brown