Having lived in El Rancho and Jalapa Guatemala for 24 years ending in 2012 permit to confirm that not once was there an occasion to feel anything but humble loving respect.

There were 3 or 4 locomotives rusting away in Zacapa that I saw but years ago when FEUGUA was operating the entire system... and agreed, the museum in the old terminal and office building is excellent. But recalling when all was up and running, a sad sentimental place to visit. When west slope service ceased, unfortunately folks started building of makeshift homes on the row.. rails started disappearing... RDC did an excellent job and the potential was immense, especially to the Pacific which they never developed.

Meantime, the 11 or 12 year old "dry canal" which you may check out as the "Corredor Technologico" project seems to be alive with much "talk" and seemingly total approval of departments and land owners...one could question why apparently no start up? This is a thought provoking question.. Perhaps someone can tell us if land purchases have been made. Their secretary in Jalapa provided me with 5 4x4' maps of the proposed alignment. Since the double track system ( and parallel highway ) is not intended to serve any industry within Guatemala the route avoids all towns and apparently intends to build new ports on both coasts simply for container transport across the country in a matter of hours..I kept only one master map which is 9 years old so they may have changed plans to use or expand existing ports. Obviously this doesn't restore the badly needed rail service within Guatemala.