We had to drive down to the very southern part of the state to attend a social event, so I had my first opportunity to visit the port city of Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. This is the eastern end of the Ferrosur (FSRR) system. FSRR is the smallest of the three major parts of the old FNM system (privatized back in th emid-90's). I've posted a few other FSRR shots, and have a number of others in my RI albums, but normally we see their trains up in Apizaco, Puebla, on the mainline between Mexico City and the port of Veracruz, Veracruz. Just for info, here is a link to the Ferrosur system map. http://www.ferrosur.com.mx/gxpsites/hgxpp001.aspx?1,1,8,O,S,0,MNU;E;2;6;MNU;, As is typical down here, things are a bit looser security'wise, and locals freely cut across the yards on their way from one side of teh tracks to the other. This is generally accepted and tolerated. But they're not big on picture taking (at least the security guards aren't, the crews as far as I can tell are just fine with railfans and photos). They did run me off, although they were nice about it, and didn't ask me to delete any of the pictures that I had obviously been taking. Anyway, I didn't have all the time in the world, but here are a few of the better shots that I managed to grab. First we have a pair of C30-Super7N's, numbers 14512 and 14526, on the ready track waiting to head up a westbound freight. For the record I'll note that these rank among the cleanest FSRR units I've ever seen. They have a reputation for having soot covered units. Then I grabbed a shot of B23-7 number 9153 backing through the yard. You'll note that the brakeman is waving. This unit is badly in need of a new paint job. But seems to run okay. Couple more on the next post. Regards Ed
I passed across the yard tracks and was able to get a shot of one of FSRR's "Big Hooks" with a couple of other work train cars attached. Not the best shot, but the guard prevented me from either getting closer or getting a better angle. This is a different type of crane than the Ferromex one that I shot in Zacatecas and posted last week. Looks like an Orton. The nest day, as we were heading out of town, Fran wanted me to stop to buy some fresh fruit (mangos, our favorite) from a roadside stand she had seen the day before. By a fortunate coincidence, the tracks ran right behind the fruit stand. So while she was occupied, I watched this B23-7 number 10049 doing a bit of local switching. We're only a few hundred yards outside the yard limit here. Okay, that's all, nothing great. But I just wanted to share these couple of shots as I don't often get down to that part of the rail network down here. Best regards Ed
Yeah! The way they look, it appears the way to weather a model is to paint it up then give it to a 7 year old for a year or so. My first train set ended up looking similar, anyway. :embarassed:
Ed, I love the Mexican shots the power is so various and interesting. a few days ago there was a smurf that came through on a freight, unfortunately I was too late and they were leaving town when I spotted it. :thumbs_down:
I kept thinking that something looked odd in all these photos, but couldn't place it. Then it hit me- five digit road numbers! I don't know if I've ever seen that before. Thanks for the excellent pics.
I'm pretty sure US computer systems don't allow 5-digit locomotive numbers. And, for the record, 14512 looks like a rebuilt Super 7, not one of the new builds which look like Dash 8s.
