The irony of the Atlantic Highway
| January 30, 2009 11:08AM |
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As much as United Fruit ("the Octopus") was hated in Guatemala, the impetus for the building of the Atlantic Highway was not the left wing government, but rather Aid money from the U.S. government to pay for a "modernization" project.
And as bad as United Fruit was in its public relations, it is equally ironic the United Fruit set the example for the introduction of schools and modern health facilities in Guatemala (and much of Central America). And the jobs it offered were among the best in the country. It is a good example (useful in todays world) that how you do something may be more important than what you do.
And finally, I always like to point out that the IRCA was not your typical banana railroad. Indeed, it hauled more coffee than bananas, and its biggest single commodity group was inbound general cargo for Guatemala City. United Fruit never "owned" the IRCA but did have a controlling interest after it rescued the railroad from bankrupcy during the Great Depression. Until 1968 the IRCA was listed independently on the New York Stock Exchange. One of the more famous (if smaller) shareholders was Bob Richardson.
It is truly sad to see what was once a modern and thriving narrow gauge system disappear in such a manner. Here is one of many new modern 2-8-2's acquired by IRCA in 1946-8. And any company run by such a distinguished group of men can't have been all bad! By the way "Cia. Agricola" was the name used by United Fruit in Guatemala. This particular engine was purchased by UFCo. and leased to the IRCA, thus the lettering. Most sisters were purchased directly by the IRCA and lettered "FIdeCA".
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 01/30/2009 11:21AM by John West.
And as bad as United Fruit was in its public relations, it is equally ironic the United Fruit set the example for the introduction of schools and modern health facilities in Guatemala (and much of Central America). And the jobs it offered were among the best in the country. It is a good example (useful in todays world) that how you do something may be more important than what you do.
And finally, I always like to point out that the IRCA was not your typical banana railroad. Indeed, it hauled more coffee than bananas, and its biggest single commodity group was inbound general cargo for Guatemala City. United Fruit never "owned" the IRCA but did have a controlling interest after it rescued the railroad from bankrupcy during the Great Depression. Until 1968 the IRCA was listed independently on the New York Stock Exchange. One of the more famous (if smaller) shareholders was Bob Richardson.
It is truly sad to see what was once a modern and thriving narrow gauge system disappear in such a manner. Here is one of many new modern 2-8-2's acquired by IRCA in 1946-8. And any company run by such a distinguished group of men can't have been all bad! By the way "Cia. Agricola" was the name used by United Fruit in Guatemala. This particular engine was purchased by UFCo. and leased to the IRCA, thus the lettering. Most sisters were purchased directly by the IRCA and lettered "FIdeCA".
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 01/30/2009 11:21AM by John West.
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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
The NGDF was started by Don Richter and is currently operated in his memory by Nathan Holmes and others. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Charles McCandless, Everett Lueck, Ted Wilton, Cole Adams, James Bane, John Moellmer, Jon Bentz, Linn Moedinger, lloyd lehrer, Rod Jensen, John Craft, Steven Forney, Herb Kelsey, Bill Ramaley, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes Doug van Veelen and Mark Fuller.