Re: NG Equipment Available in Guatemala

"Even if some locos become available, you'd better be ready with at least $200,000 in your pocket before the scrappers get it."

In reality, it will cost twice as much and take twice as long beyond your imagination to basically buy a piece of junk that needs many more $$$ to rebuild it. And with containerization, there are fewer ships interested in moving this type of equipment.

Obtaining rail equipment from a third world country is not easy or cheap. SVRR paid for the 720 from a federal grant that was finally approved just a few weeks before the 720 arrived. SVRR paid RRDC for the locomotive delivered on the Houston dock. We were lucky that we even found the 720 and were able to obtain it. This process started months ago. The price of scrap has actually little to do with the cost, transportation and "other costs" will end up being over 85% of the price, before the rebuilding. One of the bigger costs overruns on the 720 was paying for the heavy haul truck to sit waiting for the port to get it off the ship, clear up the paperwork so it was released, and load it. The 720 finally left Houston 6 days later than we expected!

It's easy to say "why don't you buy that". It's different to financially support a museum's efforts to obtain and preserve rail history - static or operating. Or if you are really crazy and just short of insane, put your money up and do it yourself.

Remember - in many cases the owners only think this is just junk sitting around that can be easily converted to scrap with a torch - before the locals do it for them in some cases.