1913-2013 Line A (Buenos Aires Underground)

interior of la brugeoise car, used 2013.



one of surviving 3 uec preston cars @ polvorín workshop.

while line under construction, anglo-argentine tramways company took bids 2 companies provide rolling stock line: belgian company la brugeoise et nicaise et delcuve , british united electric car company. tram models presented respective companies la brugeoise cars , uec preston.

the latter noted extravagant interior design, featuring exotic materials , uec sent 4 of these trams buenos aires aatc s consideration. ultimately, company chose go belgian trams , 125 of them built serve line, though 4 preston trams kept serve on line. in 1927, trams converted underground cars following line s extension underground , abandonment of overground segment.

the uec preston cars left service in 1977 , 3 remaining models today used on buenos aires heritage tramway , special occasions on line of underground, such during 100-year anniversary. brugeoise cars remained in service, though numerous attempts on years made either modernise fleet (as done few cars modernised emepa group in 1980s) or replace rolling stock completely. 1 such attempt replace rolling stock purchase of 96 alstom metropolis cars in 2001, these assigned line d instead of line a.

after 96 years of continuous service, la brugeoise cars nearing final withdrawal service in 2009. spare parts these trains no longer available on market had custom-made request @ polvorín workshop, la brugeoise units , other buenos aires underground rolling stock maintained , repaired highly skilled , qualified personnel. @ point, being discussed these surviving vintage cars continue operating tourist attraction on holidays , sundays.

according metrovías, buenos aires underground private operator, units underwent routine check-up every 20 days, while every 4 years heavy maintenance performed. despite 96 years of uninterrupted service, la brugeoise trains had 1 of lowest mechanical failure averages in network: 19 every 100,000 km.