el coche motor in Estación Polvaredas, Argentina

This was one of the diesel sets built for the high mountain trans-Andean railway between Chile and Argentina by Ganz Mavag of Hungary.

Rail traffic here, 2400 metres (7,874 ft) above sea level, began in 1943 and ceased in 1984.  Info on the station

El coche motor in the photo is one of 6 special three-car [two power cars with an unpowered trailer in between] diesel-electric metre-gauge train sets for Argentina railways, intended for high mountain service. Five were delivered ex-factory in December 1963 and the last unit was delivered in early January 1964. The two motor cars for each set were the same, except that one of them had a mail compartment and then 32 seats, while the other had a more spacious luggage compartment and only 24 seats. The trailer had a bar, a kitchen and 68 seats. Therefore, the number of seats in the train was 124.

 Collectively they were known as the Transandio trains.

"Each car had two bogies and all bogies had two electric traction motors. Each motor car was provided with two two-axle bogies, while the bogies of the trailer car had a third axle each; However, this central axle is not equipped with wheels but only with a toothed wheel, located in its middle part, and which works in contact with the rack, as an emergency brake on descents. These central axles are therefore not supporting axles, while the two outer axles of the bogies of the coupled car, as well as both axles of the bogies of the motor cars, have traction motors."
Total weight of the loaded train was approximately 156 tonnes.
Maximum width of the bodywork 2,690 mm.
Height above the rail 3,950 mm
Maximum length of the motor car 18,900 mm.
Maximum length of the trailer car 19,600 mm.

Power: 2 x supercharged V12 rated at 550 HP at 1,250 rpm
Maximum speed: 80 km/h

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