Here in Mexico, November 7th is "El Dia del Ferrocarrilero", which roughly translates as National Railroader Workers Day. While the day honors all railroaders in general (the railroads played an important part in the develpment of Mexico) the date was chosen to commemorate a specific event. On November 7th, 1907, a couple of cars loaded with dynamite in a mine supply train in Nacozari, Sonora, caught fire. The young engineer, Jesus Garcia Corona, pulled the train away from the warehouse/station area and ran it out of town. The cars exploded before he had a chance to jump for it. A few other bystanders were killed, but the damage was much less than would have occured if the explosion had occured near the station. So the Dia del Ferrocarrilero not only honors rail workers down here, but also recalls the "Hero of Nacozari". Regards Ed
It's nice to know that down your way, they still understand the value of railroads to a nation. As you well know, up here, nobody cares. Until a crossing is blocked. Or a horn annoys them.... Boxcab E50
Time to bump this back up, seeing as how it's that time of the year again. Boxcab: It's nice to know that down your way, they still understand the value of railroads to a nation. As you well know, up here, nobody cares. Actually, outside of the relatively few remaining or retired railroaders, and the relatively few model railroaders or railfans, no one else down here cares either. It's not like it's a big day to the average José on the street. Regards
Ed- That's sad. I was hoping it meant the population had a somewhat greater appreciation for the vocation, than we do. Sounds like a Holiday, simply for the sake of having a Holiday? Boxcab E50
I was all excited to take a trip to mexico because I thought they still had rail passenger service. Well, I did more research and discovered it's all been replaced by buses, except for one line. I hate buses.
Well there's no getting around the fact that the busses aren't trains. But that fact aside, the intercity and long haul bus lines down here are great, nothing like what you have up north. The first class lines all are clean, all reserved seating, decent restrooms, seating similar to airline (possibly more legroom), video monitors, and generally run on schedule. Then there are the luxury lines that have seats that recline about half way to horizontal, 3 across seating (2 on one side, one on the other side of the aisle), coffee/tea available, and some even have an attendant & snacks. Bus travel is the way to go down here. And it reaches cities where the trains never went, even in their heyday. Regards
I'm planning on taking the train through Copper Canyon at some point. Do you know is there is a better side to sit on based on direction of travel?
Sure can't say that about those in my area. At least if were a train, I'd be happily riding something, that I truly wanted to be on board! Boxcab E50
Darren: I'm planning on taking the train through Copper Canyon at some point. Do you know is there is a better side to sit on based on direction of travel? I asked that question too, as we are hoping to take the trip next spring. I was told that the left side of the train has the best views when bound toward Los Mochis, and the right side when bound toward Chihuahua. Rightly or wrongly, I'm also told that it's not 'open seating' and that you are assigned a seat when you purchase your ticket, although you may not know where it is. Boarding the train you will be directed to your seat. It may be possible to switch with someone else if you wind up on the 'wrong' side. You'll probably spend a lot of the trip hanging out in the vestibules anyway. Regards Ed
A company in the UK who organise railtours for railfans did the Copper Canton trip a few years ago, and the participants were allowed to take turns riding the locomotive! Wish I had made the trip
He who hesitates is lost. He who can't afford it, awaits postings of photos from those who could... Boxcab E50
I would have liked to have gone, but could not afford it I was on another tour to Belgium with the company and the owner very enthusiastically told me all about it - made me feel much better - not
I've read about privately organized tours where the fans get to ride in the locomotive. I don't expect that applies to regular Copper Canyon trains though. Unfortunately. I've read several website of private tour operators. Some of the tours they organize through the canyon (and including their rail journeys to get there) sound geat. But they're definitely out of my price range. It will definitely be 'do it yourself' touring for us. btw, whenever it happens, our Copper Canyon ( or "Barranca de Cobre") trip will include long distance bus rides between here and Chihuahua and return. Flying in-country is also pretty expensive. They almost never discount in country tickets. That's another reason why bus lines are so popular and common down here. Regards
