Insulator Huntiong Trips in Argentina
Topic: Insulators

Insulators from around the world: Argentina
Topic: Insulators

Rare French Insulators found in Argentina
Topic: Insulators
See Image Gallery of the only known CGBA 1900's 1099 ISOREX,CD 435 Found in Argentina:

ISOREX 1099 Found only in Argentina



Foreign insulators found in Argentina.

Buenos Aires' narrow trail

Argentina has a rich railway related history. It couldn't be either way in
such a large country specializing it's economy in exportating cereals and
meat. The latest years of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th
uptill the proliferation of automobiles and trucks, Argentina wouldn't have
existed nor developed if it wasn't for the superb railway system built
jointly with British and French companies -the foremost experienced
countries within this field.
Among the famous railway stories in Argentina is the outstanding and chick
Trochita that took us in a journey of history, culture, pleasure and
outstanding landscapes, throughout the Patagonia.
However this was not the only narrow trail train in the country. In 1906 a
joint venture of French & Belgium capitals acquired a former Argentinean
train company owned by De Bruyn and Otamendi. It was a 1,000 mm narrow trail
train that run from Buenos Aires to Rosario, from Pergamino to Vedia, from
Patricios to Victorino de la Plaza & from Gonzalez Catan to La Plata. It was
the Compania General de Ferrocarriles de la Provincia de Buenos
Aires -Buenos Aires Province Railway General company- also known as CGBA.
Initially this huge project was carried on combining local prime materials
such as the hard wood and steal for the railways as well as local workers
with a primarily and initially foreign management as well as imported
technical material specially due to the fact that the local industries were
not producing technological goods. From insulators such as the 1099 Isorex,CD 435 that can be appreciated on top of the poles and by the
station, to steam and gas powered locomotives all of these things were
brought from abroad specially from France and Belgium.
For over 40 years the CGBA was the thread putting together families,
workers, supplies, knitting the web of our nation.
Some of the most famous locomotives that drove these trains throughout
endless towns and cities were the German Werkspoor DEB-600 and the British
The Whitcomb 70-DE-30.
The journey can be done today at some extent, for most of the railroads were
left in oblivion during the 70s when auto transportation outplaced the
railway system. Non of the stations and trails were demolished or taken out
of place, they stand upon still as a dusted memoir of a once upon a time
country. Such is the case of Moll, a vintage open air museum of the
greatness of ancient machinery and appliances. Their lasting throughout
time -a miracle if looked from a world made with desposable items-. Possible
to visit and discover one of a kind stories and items when chatting with
locals, eager to relate their glorious past.



More research work is under way, on Insulators,both glass and porcelain, and the railway lines of the Prov of Buenos Aires, if interested in any way, please feel free to contact us. Art Dealer Team.





See Glass Insulator Image Gallery:

Glass Insulators made in Argentina

See Porcelain Insulator Image Gallery:

Porcelain Insulators made in Argentina

Email Bob Frassinetti.
The Buenos Aires Art
Dealer,Argentina.

Bob Frassinetti. Copyright 2005. Roberto Dario Frassinetti.

Glass and Porcelain Insulators made in Argentina,photo gallery
Topic: Insulators
Glass and Porcelain Insulators made in Argentina.

Welcome to Glass Insulators made in Argentina. Glass Insulators made in Argentina


As well as Porcelain Insulators made or found in Argentina,see Photo Album.
Porcelain Insulators made in Argentina

Ever wanted to hunt Insulators in the wild, down in Argentina? Contact me .......


Email Bob Frassinetti.
The Buenos Aires Art
Dealer,Argentina.

Bob Frassinetti. Copyright 2005. Roberto Dario Frassinetti.

Glass and Porcelain Insulators made in Argentina
Topic: Insulators


Argentinean Porcelain insulators. Our on going investigation on Insulators, part one:


When talking about Argentinean made insulators, FAPA is a must. Born in 1938, FAPA was originally conceived as a porcelain china industry for hotels. This was the first Argentinean white porcelain company, and one of Latin America's finest. Their high quality items gained them a privileged position within the local and international markets as well as prestige and recognition.

FAPA's economic and industrial development expressed a broader trend within Argentina's development in the world market.

In order to understand the importance of FAPA's development and address the appropiate historical and cultural value to their products it's important to consider this industry's history in a broader way, linked to Argentina's development. During the 30s Buenos Aires was one of the world's largest capital cities with an immense flow of visitors; Argentina's main income provider was it's rich countryside: cattle growth as well as a pushing agriculture were the basic foundations for a prime material export industry. At that time, the Argentinean industry was also growing at a fantastic rate, but it was very dependable on foreign machinery.

Soon came World War 2, and everything changed. This event had a deep impact on the Argentinean economy in spite of the fact of it's faraway location from the war zone and that Argentina entered the war just a few month before its closure. Considering the fact that Argentina's economy was European dependable -as markets and machinery producers-, the war changed everything. Even more things were altered due to domestic politics; Juan Domingo Per?n was president at that time and his national development policies concerned mainly a focus on locally produced items, as a way of lowering the foreign dependence of the local economy.

It was in this context were FAPA was reorganized, and from a white porcelain china company, it became an insulator industry.

Professor Leopoldo Armanino and his brother Aquiles who had created the Fabrica Argentina de Porcelanas Armanino S.A -Armanino Porcelain Argentinean Company- 10 years ago, redirected FAPA's efforts to a larger, broader and never experienced before industry. The development of the local industry thanks to the government's favorable policies, the war-produced shortage of foreign products and the massive use of electricity were the initial favorable preconditions for the transition. It was a success.

FAPA's plant was altered and improved to fit the company's new needs. In 1954 FAPA built the first and biggest High Tension lab in Latin America. It had a 1.100.000 volt capacity. And soon FAPA was the only Argentinean and Latin American company manufacturing High Tension line (132 and 220 Kv) insulators.

FAPA's production throughout the 60s grew at a fantastic rate. During the 70s their need of growing and developing, at the time they researched on the latest technology within the insulator production field, lead them to work together with Japanese firms.

Among FAPA's greatest developments and products we can point out the in suspension High Alumina Ceralum porcelain chain insulators, unique in its type within Latin America, weighing up till 16 tons. They've also produced glass insulators as well as over-voltage arrest insulators.

The list goes on and on for this market leader firm.



Worldwide insulator collectors very much appreciate these Argentinean made insulators for their quality, as well as a vintage and rare insulator produced in Latin America, for most Latin countries imported their insulators from the States, Great Britain, Germany, France, and of course, Argentina for a great part of their history.

When considering these fine Argentinean insulators it's important to bare in mind that FAPA integrally produce each of them. From designing them at their workshops to the prime material with which they are produced -that's extracted from the Company's mines- every particle of these insulators is 100% FAPA.





Email Bob Frassinetti.
The Buenos Aires Art
Dealer,Argentina.

Bob Frassinetti. Copyright 2005. Roberto Dario Frassinetti.