Rapid Transit in Argentina - Cultural Heritage

Cultural Heritage

The Buenos Aires Metro has historically been characterized by murals and other artistic works in its stations, making a kind of museum throughout the system. These works, and a number of complete stations, are considered part of the cultural heritage of the city and several of them were declared National Historic Landmarks in 1997.

Line A is world-famous because it kept until 2013 its rolling stock running, making them the oldest subway coaches in commercial service in the world. They were built by La Brugeoise, et Nicaise et Delcuve, a Belgian rolling stock manufacturer established in the city of Bruges, between 1913 and 1919. Entirely made of wood, they were originally designed to run as subway as well as tramway cars, but they were adapted in 1927 to their current styling for underground service only. Since the 1940s, several plans have been made to replace them with newer rolling stock, but none of them has succeeded.

In March 2013, La Brugeoise subway coaches were replaced by new, Chinese rolling stock. Old coaches are supposed to be used as an stand for bookstores, as well for doing rides for tourists.