The first railway in El Salvador opened in 1882 between Acajutla and Sonsonate, a distance of 15km. It was built to 3ft (914mm) gauge, which was used for subsequent railway expansion in the country.
Although the eventual network of more than 500km is more or less intact, it is very run down and in need of rehabilitation. In 2011, there was just one passenger service operating, between San Salvador and Apopa (15km), essentially a commuter service offering just one morning and one evening out and back service 5 days a week. There are proposals for the reinstatement of other passenger services.
There was a cross border rail connection with Guatemala at Angulatú; this closed in the 1960s with the railway on the Guatemalan side of the border. Proposals for its reopening depend upon the rehabilitation of railways in Guatemala, which at the present time appears increasingly unlikely.
© 2006-2011
Glyn Williams
Flag image from CIA World Factbook
