Changuinola Panama

In 2007, I went to Changuinola, Panama to visit a 36-inch gauge railroad that was in the process of shutting down. I thought I had discovered a gold-mine of 36-inch guage equipment that could be shipped back to the U.S. to add to the rosters of operations here. I was 99% wrong. I contacted several narrow gauge operations. Most did not reply. The replies that I did receive came with a clear, "we are not interested". Sumpter Valley did buy two GE diesels from Panama, and the other useable equipment went to Africa. While there were no steamers available in Panama, the message I received was, "It's not historic to this region". In addition to the diesels were several freight cars, right of way equipment, track, and piles of parts. There was the supply, but there was NO demand.

The equipment that used to operate on the Georgetown Loop has been on the market for awhile now. Some of this equipment is native and very historic. The demand is not what I expected.

This sums up to - why worry about what is in Cuba? I'm jazzed about the idea of restoring D&RG 168 and recreating RGS 36. Let's say a boat of Cuba locomotives happen to land stateside. First, they've got to be be worn past all useable life. Secondly, is there really a welcome home for them when there's already some great projects in the works? Personally, I think it would be great if Cuba could boost tourism with what they've got, and the equipment that is already here just keeps getting better.

My 2 cents.