my daughter came back from a tour to the countryside and brought some pics.
taken at one of the last switchyards of our national railroad.
the Paraguayan Ferrocarril Carlos Antonio Lopez was the first railroad built in south america. (1861)
it never changed from woodburning steam to something else.
it is goverment-owned. the last scheduled train must have run about 20 years ago. there was a single tourist run (better said: crawl) about 8 or 10 years ago.
but… the freight- and ticketoffices at the stations are still operational. (tickets “for the next train” can be still bought. they receive freight - if somebody is stupid enough to deliver - for transport with “the next train” as well.)
the railroad has still a nearly full crew from stationmasters, freighthandlers to engeneers and firemen. and a stubborn union…
but, at least they don’t replace “vacancies” occasioned by employees, who reach the age for becoming pensioneers.
well, enjoy… (or weep)
