A selection of shots from both lines of the Santa Cruz de tenerife Metro/ Tram/ light rail / tren ligero network on 27th January

This year's trip to Uruguay and Argentina with a chance to try for some shovelnose action, and to mop up a few required locos for haulage around Buenos Aires.
During my time in Uruguay, 3 of the 4 working shovelnoses were seen - 1506,1515 and 1530. It is possible that 1530 worked the last train out of Apeadero on Weds 18th Nov, then on Friday 20th it was down at Central/Apeadero with 820 ready to work the last service out as far as 25 de Agosto, BUT due to line blockage between carnelli and Sayago due to an incident, this service was caped, and the loks and stock must have worked ecs early on Saturday to be in position at 25 de Agosto. It is also possible that 1530 worked a "floodex" special between 25 de agosto and Santa Lucia as the roads were out.
I went to San José !! Then returned by bus to be back in time for the last outbound workings, because all week the 3 loks had been solid 803,819 and 820, and as all three were now away from Montevideo, a new lok was guaranteed..... shove? GE ? Nope, biggie 810 which had been shunting Carnelli all week! Oh, and thanks to the top driver on 803, who saw me photting from the brake compartment and invited me up to the cab when we waited for the token and crossed with 820. cab ride back to Apeadero.
Then over to Buenos Aires for some moves in between work appointments. Plenty of Alco action on LSM, and even managed ex FEVE 1514 out of Retiro Belgrano!!
Later in the week managed to get a private tour around FEPSA's Spurr works. Please note that the photos inside Spurr are NOT for publication elsewhere without prior approval from myself. Las fotos de Spurr no pueden ser publicadas sin previa autorizacion mia.

Various photos taken by me during short visits abroad and at home in 2009

A short business trip to Porto gave me the chance to look for some CP 1400s. ....

A flying visit to Buenos Aires saw me scratching a few more locos for haulage and one or two for sight!! Highlights included a run behind EM02, following on from EM01 scored in July; then almost solid Alco action on LSM, and including 8456 on the Junin, with a ballast leap at Muniz to cover required B811 working, which is my last serviceable one for haluage on LSM.
Then a full day scooping small Alcos on TBA, plus the GR12s and their great chime whistle! Over on Belgrano Sur, which is much improved, my disappointment when MF624 was ripped at Tapiales turned to joy when it was replaced by Henschel 1402. I was also able to cover MF102, and the Puente Alsina service round the curve to Kilo 12 ( De Elia/castello) behind F612, having previously done the P Alsina line from Kilo 12 to Alsina earlier in the year. A final spin on Roca saw my last required loks avoiding me, so I will have to go back !
Also covered the Tren de la Costa tourist line and also the short Tren Lugero/ Light railway along the front of Puerto Madero.

Another visit to Buenos Aires and Montevideo, with the chance to tour the FEPSA depot at Ingeniero White. I was able to see some of the changes on Belgrano (Ferrovias) and on LSM with the influx of ex Moroccan/ RENFE and CP locomotives.
FEPSA provided a couple of surprises at Ingeniero White with ex ndeM G12s #6639 and 6640 preparing to leave on a freight with Alco RSD16 dead in tow, plus more Alcos inside the depot. The usual GA8s were scuttling about the yard. Ferrosur Roca GE #2004 was seen at Grunbein later in the day.
Back in Bs As and a visit to LGR and to LBS to see the new liveried locos and sample as many new ones as possible for haulage!
Then over to Montevideo, but no time for a visit to Peñarol, so no shovelnoses seen this time! Sampled Alsthom 813 to 25 de agosto and back, plus some shots at Carnelli and the elusive ANCAP shunter inside La Teja refinery

A couple of days spent in Veracruz to see the railway action in the freight yards

This year's AFRPS promised to be a good one with plenty of ex BR haulage available........

Went over to Belfast for the Blue Thunderer Railtour, hoping for 113 and covering all the lines advertised. Not disappointed on both counts!

Another flying visit to Uruguay via Buenos Aires and the chance to score some more locos, plus a CAB RIDE in shovelnose 1506! Hellfire!