They were the first working subway system in the Southern Hemisphere, but are now on the verge of being replaced by modern carriages. The wooden “La Brugeoise” cars of Line A in Buenos Aires have almost run their last kilometres underground.
The Belgian-made trains first operated on 1 December 1913, with the last trains operating from 1919. Today they are among the oldest carriages to still be in regular service. However, as part of a long-planned overhaul of the Subte, the graffiti covered cars will be replaced as of mid-January.
Mauricio Macri, Buenos Aires mayor confirmed that the reconstruction would start as of mid-January and could take up to 60 days. Whilst the fate of the trains is thus far unknown, they’ll likely be used for a museum exhibit, say officials.
