In1976 I made a quick one day visit to Giradot, Columbia, driving down and back from Bogota. The shop at Giradot was still overhauling steam engines, although the railroad was basically dieselized and steam rarely was actually used. I was told the work was some kind of French aid project, and even if the railroad didn't need the steamers they were happy to have the French pay to have the work done. There were a variety of engines at Giradot, but I thought this big 4-8-2 was especially impressive, particularly for three foot gauge. After I had returned to Bogota I was told that the road I traveled was subject to frequent attack by bandidos, and that I was lucky to have made it back with my life, money, rental car, and cameras intact. June 12, 1976.
