Yeah, it all depends on coming up with some money. Back in the 80's (maybe into the 90's, not sure) the remains of this narrow gauge line (maybe about 10-15 miles) was run by the state government as a tourist line. The enterprise eventually failed and the loco and equipment sat idle for a long time. A few years back a private group got permission to try to reestablish service (I think the govt still owns the equipment, not sure). Meanwhile the local govt had cut the line, just about 1 km from the station, to run a small irrigation canal. Remainder of the line beyond was left intact, but people creep in on the r-o-w, and cables get strung across the usused r-o-w, etc. Anyway, the group has managed to recondition the first 1/2 km (maybe up to almost 1 km by now) of track. With a change in local govt they think they'll get some support and that the irrigation canal will be modified to run as a siphon at the crossing location, which would allow the group to continue reconditioning track (as money allows) and continue expanding the run. They are reusing the existing rails, but all the ties need to be replaced. All labor is volunteer. That's all a real long process. No govt funding available. It's really a shoestring effort, and I'm somewhat surprised that they have managed to do as well as they have. Regards Ed .
Here's a thread on Cuautla and the #279 that I wrote way back in 2005. I just reestablished the links to my RI album photos. http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=73855 Regards Ed .
Ed- After viewing that picture of you on 279, I'm wondering- Do you volunteer there? It would good fun, to hear updates on their efforts. I wonder if a web site exists? Or if someone might ever set them up that way? Might be a good way to bring in a few dollars for the project. Exposure! Boxcab E50
Nope. I did think about it and have some friends who are part of the volunteers. But they all live in Mexico City, which is only about 1-1/2 hours away. But it's a real full day travel for us just to get there (one way). Work sessions, when they have them, are usually just one day (Saturday) efforts. At that time the group (The "Patronato") had some questionable leadership and it just didn't seem like it would work. They changed leadership in the organization last year and seem to be making more progress now. but with all the traveling we do there just wasn't going to be enough time to make regular trips way out there. Nope. This year's national railfan and model railroad convention will be held in Cuautla. Won't get much publicity outside the group, but they will have to set up a website to accomodate the convention. We'll see if they take advantage of that to build a more publicity oriented communication.
I have a book on narrow guage steam in Colombia SA. It was put out by Trackside Publications. Got my copy in London earlier this year as I was unable to find one here in the states. Has a lot of detail on the locomotives used. Not much about current day operations. My wife is from Bogota Colombia thus my intrest. The book is: "Narrow Guage in Colombia - Railways and Steam Locomotives" by Christopher Walker and was put out by Trackside Publications.
Anyone have a book on railroads in Central America? Am curious about the "Tela RR." Alleged to be narrow gauge. Which was supposedly in Honduras? I'd like to know a little more about where and when it operated. What commodities it hauled. As it's in the old "Banana Republic" region, I am thinking... Boxcab E50
You might try asking over on the Yahoo group "South of the Border" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/South_Of_The_Border/ Which is described as "A group devoted to sharing information on, and modelling the railways South of the USA border, in any scale/gauge combination. Includes railways in the areas ~ South America, Central America, Mexico and the Islands of the Caribbean, including Cuba." Doesn't get a huge amount of traffic, but it is alive. That's where I'd start asking for info. Regards Ed .
Interesting things coming up here, thank you all! It's good to keep the focus a bit wider than just the titles of the books!
