A few days ago I recieved from Inginiero Francisco Lagunes the happy news that regular steam operation has returned to the narrow gauge museum located in Cuautla, Morelos, Mexico every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, hopefully forever. The 2-8-0 #279 and cars used are the same as those pictured three years ago in RyPN, and service begins at 12 noon over the first kilometer of trackage remaining in the dual gauge yards. Tickets are a bargain at 5 pesos a head, about 40 cents, and there is a telephone number for information: 53 92 05 89

In addition to this, the Club Amigos del Ferrocarril http://www.ferroviarios.org.mx has undertaken another project relating to the Ferrocarril Interoceanico narrow gauge. This is the rescue of the last common carrier train to run over the 3 foot gauge branch from Oriental to Tezuitlan, which was prevented from making the return portion of it's last round trip in 1993 by a potentially threatening crowd of villagers. The branch was soon taken up, leaving the consist of two GA8 diesels, three wooden coaches, and a caboose stranded in front of the depot.

Publicity recieved in the RyPN website is credited with helping sell these ideas to the authorities, and everybody who has taken an interest in the Mexican narrow gauge is appreciated and encouraged to visit Mexico now. There's more going on than I'm reporting here, and as I get more and better information, I'll pass it along.