Pat,
Always nice to hear from some else who has been over there. I was there from 1992-1993 as a civilian pilot flying for the U.N. back when they were having the election. At that time the passenger trains was coming into Battambang about every two days. The train would push two flat cars ahead of the engine and pull the passenger cars behind the engine all the way from Phnom Penh. This was done so when (not if) the train hit a bobby trap, only the flat cars and not the engine would be lost.
The cost for riding the passenger train was around 1-2$ U.S. but if you wanted to ride the flat car (and some did) that was free.
In Phnom Penh, I must say I was a little afraid when the solder "escorted" me out of the yard. I think my U.N. ID saved my butt there. Like you, we civilian pilots had no side arms.
Wat Angur? Are thinking of Ankor Wat up by Seiam Reap or another Wat somewhere. If its Ankor Wat, your right. Really worth seeing along with Ankor Tom next door.
I see you are heading down to Guatemala in February. That must be with the Trains Unlimited tour. I am looking at my 2001 "mail out" from T.U. and it doesn't look like the trip goes through Escuintla this year. (that's were the Uintah/Sumpter Valley engines were cut up).
However you may run into a local who knows something. There is a story going around that one of the boilers and other part are still there but we have seen no pictures are even a "first hand" report.
I guess I should turn this into an e-mail. Most likely boring all the other readers. Sorry gang.
E-mail me sometime Pat, I would love to hear how your trip goes (I plan to go on the same trip myself next year) or share some more Cambodia tails.
Tim
svwiper@hotmail.com
