Embedded Files
'Central American Holiday' was the title of a book written a long time ago by Gerald M Best about his railroad trips to El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico. I don't have a copy and have never been there, but I do have in my possession a dozen rare pictures taken in 1961 in El Salvador, the smallest country in Central America, and, by contrast, Mexico, the largest. I do have a copy of Best's superb book 'Mexican Narrow Gauge' ,well worth having. My personal knowledge of these railways is sketchy and the notes I have with the pictures are minimal, so corrections and additions gratefully received.
The railway in El Salvador, Ferrocarriles Salvador (FCS), was 3' gauge and connected to the similar International Railways of Central America system (IRCA), which crossed over the border from Guatemala. Mexico had both standard gauge and 3' public railways.
El Salvador
The loco depot at Sonsonate, with six locos visible on 29 September 1961.
Loco No.2 of the Ferrocarriles Salvador was this Baldwin 2-8-0. My information says it was constructed in 1883.
Left: Loco No.9 was a 4-6-0, another Baldwin. Above: Loco No.13 of the FCS was another 4-6-0, again pictured on 29 September 1961, at Sonsonate station with a train for the coastal town of Acajutla.
Left: Seen at the country's capital, San Salvador, on 28 September 1961, is IRCA 2-8-0 No.110, which had arrived from San Miguel, according to the sketchy notes I have. Above: The IRCA's No.152 is a 2-8-2 and a fine looking machine, photographed on 28 September 1961.
IRCA No.110 approaches Texis Junction with a passenger train, as track workers get ready to rest briefly from their labours whilst it passes by. Date is 30 September 1961.
Mexico
Now to Mexico with standard gauge 3 cylinder 4-6-2 132 depicted at Apizaco on 8 October 1961. It is lettered FCM, Ferrocarriles Mexicano, owned and operated by the state railway in Mexico.
Information with the above picture says it is FCM 2-8-0 203 at or near Apizaco on 8 October 1961. Right: Closer view of loco 203 about to take water at Apizaco.
This standard gauge 2-8-0,1235, is an NdeM loco, that is Nationales de Mexico, the main state railway. Seen at Puebla on 8 October 1961.
Puebla was favoured with 3' as well as standard gauge and here is the narrower rails 2-8-0 278 at the loco depot, built as recently as 1959 and housing both gauges. 278 was Baldwin built in 1921 and retired from service in 1965, according to Gerald Best.
More information can be found at http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/tales/threefoot02.htm
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse