Unfortunate news is that despite active preservation efforts, this locomotive in Tucuman, Argentina is being systematically stripped of metal & the rail connection to the active lines has been removed.

Dear All,

The following words have been published on the Fund's website today:

"The 'Argentina' Rescue Fund was launched on December 30 2004. On Friday March 18 2005 the decision was taken to suspend the fund raising following shameful activities by persons who should know better. In Tucumán 'Argentina' has "all of a sudden" become the victim of systematic stripping. In addition the rails leading from the loco to the proposed loading location have been removed. An accident or design?

As things now stand the loco has been heavily stripped by people who know what they are doing during the last few weeks as has the track in the area. If it is going to be possible to rescue the loco at all cranes will now be required. Parties who are not quite as invisible as they may think (transparent would be more accurate) are attempting to prevent anyone from have 'Argentina' as they can not and at the same time are attempting to make it look as if the culprits are elsewhere. Sorry but we are slightly more astute than that! Of course we do not wish to be subject to legal action so are unable to name those responsible for this pathetic sabotage of this extremely important project. Suffice to say that whilst the main actors are Argentine this sabotage is in fact an international operation with assistance from a European who has claimed to wholeheartedly support the project.

It is an understatement to say it is very sad to see the national pride 'Argentina' engendered being reduced to nothing by a few petty minded and pathetic individuals with serious ego problems. Is this really what the modern Argentina stands for?

So what next?

Project members and interested parties are doing all that they can to ensure 'Argentina' is not scrapped on site. But as things stand we can not be certain this will be possible and thus feel it is dishonest of us to continue fund raising.

How can supporters help?

It is the suggestion of the Fund members that all interested in seeing 'Argentina' saved for posterity contact their national Argentine embassy registering, in the strongest but of course politest terms, their disgust at what is happening and demanding action NOW from the Argentine national government to see the locomotive saved. Please mention this webpage link in your communications. Our address is: http://www.martynbane.co.uk/argentina.htm

Contact details for Argentine embassies include:

UK:

65 Brook Street
W1 K 4AH
Great Britain
London

Tel: 0207 318 1300

Fax: 0207 318 1301

Web: http://www.argentine-embassy-uk.org/index.html

E-Mail: fclond@mrecic.gov.ar

USA:

1600 New Hampshire Avenue,
NW 20009
Washington D.C.

Tel: (202) 238-6401

Fax: (202) 332-3171

Web: http://www.embassyofargentina-usa.org/

E-Mail: argentina@veriomail.com

Canada:

90 Sparks Street,
Suite 910, Ontario,
K1P 5B4,
Ottawa

Tel: 1 (613) 236 2351

Fax: 1 (613) 235 265

Web: http://www.argentina-canada.net

E-Mail: embargentina@argentina-canada.net

France:

6 rue Cimarosa,
75116 Paris,
France.

Tel: 33 1 45 53 3300 or 43 53 1469.

Fax: 33 1 45 53 4633

Germany:

Dorotheenstraße 89,
3 Stock 10117,
Berlin

Tel: (030) 226689-0

Web: http://www.argentinische-botschaft.de

E-Mail: info@argentinische-botschaft.de

Switzerland:

Jungfraustrasse 1,
3005,
Berne.

Tel: [41] (31) 352 3565 - 6 or 443 3566 - 7

Fax: [41] (31) 352 0519

South Africa:

200 Standard
Plaza 0002
Pretoria

Tel: [27] (12) 433 527

Fax: [27] (12) 433 521

Spain:

Ortega y Gasset nº 62,
28006,
Madrid.

Tel: 91 402 5115

Web: http://www.portalargentino.net/eespa.htm

E-Mail: embajada@portalargentino.net

Australia:

P.O. Box 4835
Kingston ACT 2604
AUSTRALIA

Tel: (61 2) 6273 9111

Fax: (61 2) 6273 0500

Web: http://www.argentina.org.au

E-Mail: info@argentina.org.au

China:

11 San Li Tun Dong Lu,
Beijing,
100060,
PRC.

Tel: 86 1 532 2090 or 532 1406 or 532 2281

All donations received to date are, of course, safe and will not be used until we know 'Argentina' can be saved. The persons behind the vandalism in Tucumán might like you to believe the Fund is run by a bunch of crooks (another one of their "angles" to prevent us from succeeding) but this is totally groundless character assassination! The efforts of the true crooks can clearly be seen in the above photos. If the worst happens and we are unable to rescue 'Argentina' all contributions will be returned to donors.

Our sincere thanks to those who have helped us up to now and to those who continue to help us.

Now please cross your fingers.... The future of 'Argentina' is in the balance........

To quote Ing. Porta - "NEVER GIVE UP" - rest assured we will not. "

The full statement with accompanying photos can be read at: http://www.martynbane.co.uk/argentina.htm

We are very sorry the news is not more positive and shall endeavour to report updates as they become available. Moves are being made in Argentina, at the highest levels, to secure the loco which can only be bolstered by embassies being contacted and pressure applied. However please do not underestimate the strength and potential power of those behind this sabotage. This is going to be a hard battle, but one we hope to win.

Martyn Bane for The 'Argentina' Rescue Fund

5 Camvale
Peasedown St. John
Bath,
BA2 8AG,
UK

argentina@martynbane.co.uk
www.martynbane.co.uk/argentina.htm

Man, talk about depressing. I am at a loss to really understand
the first post. Sure, the locals want to make a buck and a half
off a pile of metal but just what is the offshore evil connection
all about?