Dear All,

The fundraising has made an encouraging start with donations coming from every continent. Approximately one third of the money required has been raised or promised. But more is urgently needed if the loco is to be rescued. So please do send whatever you can afford to assist in rescuing this exceptional steam locomotive. However large or small your donation it will be very gratefully received.

A news page has been created detailing news of the Fund’s progress. This can be viewed here: http://www.martynbane.co.uk/fundnews.htm

USA residents might like to pay special attention to the news page as a generous dollar-matching pledge has been made by John Johnston. So to all readers in the USA PLEASE help to bring in an additional 1000USD for the Fund. Details of the pledge are here: http://www.martynbane.co.uk/fundnews.htm#jj

Full details of the fund, how to donate and much more information is available in three languages at these web addresses:

English: http://www.martynbane.co.uk/argentina.htm
Spanish: http://www.martynbane.co.uk/argentinaesp.htm
German: http://www.martynbane.co.uk/argentinade.htm

In addition it is of great significance that Shaun McMahon has started to work on the preliminary engineering work required to return the locomotive to service. This work is voluntary and a great sign of the importance and confidence those who worked directly with Ing. L.D. Porta have in future of ‘Argentina’.

Details are also provided on the news page of the press and online coverage the fund is receiving. More is to follow soon.

Thank You.

Martyn Bane
argentina@martynbane.co.uk

This is a bit of a tough one. If we were talking here about
bringing the loco to the US Im sure the money would
be easier to part with. But as worthwhile as the project
is, most of us will never get to see the engine in person.
The amount of money needed to move it is not
excessive but just as at the end of the age of steam
getting that money together is difficult.
I think we all should toss in a few bucks. I find it
hard to believe that each of us cannot go for
a ten each at least.
Hopefully this rescue will work out.

Thanks for your comments. This is an international appeal for what really isn't a huge sum of money so I hope as many people as possible can come forward with small or large donations. That way this loco will be saved! Don't forget all donations in the USA will be matched by John Johnston (as detailed here: http://www.martynbane.co.uk/fundnews.htm#jj) so in effect you will be giving twice the amount.

I don't think I am over stating it to say 'Argentina', whilst not as widely known about as it should be, is one of the most important locos ever built. There are precious few late steam era locos left let alone ones which hold world records for power and efficiency. That should be reason enought to ensure 'Argentina' has a future.

Thank you in advance,

Martyn Bane.

I had the honor of working with Dante Porta from 1980-1987 on the American Coal Enterprises effort to create a new generation coal fired loco. for the worlds railways. He was a very special human being and devoted his entire adult life to improving and promoting steam and the worlds railways as important instruments to better mans existance here on Earth.
Seems to me that saving this important piece of his efforts is altogether fitting and appropriate and I would urge all who can to make as generous a contribution as possible to the fund. I know that his family and the larger "steam family" around the world will be gratefull that this important legacy of his work has been saved!!
Ross Rowland