To all that believe the Gringos will pilage and loot. The El Salvador system is slowly being salvaged by the local people. They steal the inactive rail and ties for building materials and wood. The equipment is looked at as instant money for scrap. Besides the Government does not have complete control of security of the property.
Before you accuse me of being unsimpathic to the plight of Latin Americans. My Wife is Latina and we maintain a home in Lima, Peru. This sort of looting of property is common practice. If you don't put up high walls, barb wire and have guards, the have nots will take what they can. It is more of way of life than anything else. It is survival to keep their families feed and sheltered. Those who do this, do it because they have to to survive.
Where there are some Citizens in all the Latin American Countries that try to preserve history. They can be successful if they get Government intervention. However on in the private sector it is a still a difficult task. For instance the Nicaraguan 42 inch gauge system was completely scrapped by it's Government. Chiefly pushed by a Congressman that was a trucker!!!
If Gringos don't move in and save some of this heritage, no one will. The only possible savior would be a privatization of the FENDESAL system by the El Salvadorian Government. However if you travel through out the Latin American Countries, you will see a lot of failed preservation.
One last observation. In Argentina, the Porta redesigned Meter Gauge (39.3 In) 4-8-0 that was developed in the 1940's was discovered in a engine shed. It had been abandoned and local effort to "Save the Argentina" the name given the loco began about 6 months ago. The loco was moved into the open from it's shelter. In the last few months the loco has been stripped so bad that the organizers have suspended the effort. It seems that scrap scavagers and local citizens took advantage of the move. Now the chances of perserving the loco is now very slim.
So if Gringos can preserve some history, more power to them.
I will now stepdown off my soapbox and expect some flaming.
Dale Brown
Now in the US
