Trains.com

Rare video of N de M Mexico City-Queretaro Electrification in Operation

2470 views
7 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Sterling Heights, Michigan
  • 1,691 posts
Rare video of N de M Mexico City-Queretaro Electrification in Operation
Posted by SD60MAC9500 on Friday, July 7, 2023 12:35 PM

Surfing across some of the railroad groups on facebook. I came across this clip of N de M electrification in operation. For those who don't know a portion of the Northeast route between Mexico City-Queretaro was electrified seeing operation from 1994-1997. After a series of problems, a few major wrecks, lack of clearance for double-stacking the electrification was ended. If you have a facebook account you can view the video here

Rahhhhhhhhh!!!!
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, July 7, 2023 10:39 PM

Brings up question.  Do KCS trains in Mexico have a caboose?  Video shows those freights with one.

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • 1,881 posts
Posted by Leo_Ames on Saturday, July 8, 2023 6:18 AM

No, they went away quickly with privatization just like the Alco's, U-Boats, and so on.

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by M636C on Saturday, July 8, 2023 6:40 AM

On the first double headed train, the caboose had a very large cylindrical tank on the roof. Could this be part of a system to apply braking from the rear of the train, or was there another purpose?

Peter

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • From: East Coast
  • 1,199 posts
Posted by D.Carleton on Saturday, July 8, 2023 8:06 AM

M636C

On the first double headed train, the caboose had a very large cylindrical tank on the roof. Could this be part of a system to apply braking from the rear of the train, or was there another purpose?

Peter

From my feeble perspective that tank doesn't look stout enough for air systems. My guess is a fresh water tank.

Editor Emeritus, This Week at Amtrak

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Sterling Heights, Michigan
  • 1,691 posts
Posted by SD60MAC9500 on Saturday, July 8, 2023 1:17 PM

D.Carleton

 

 
M636C

On the first double headed train, the caboose had a very large cylindrical tank on the roof. Could this be part of a system to apply braking from the rear of the train, or was there another purpose?

Peter

 

From my feeble perspective that tank doesn't look stout enough for air systems. My guess is a fresh water tank.

 

 

Yep I think you're right. That's what I assumed as well.

Rahhhhhhhhh!!!!
  • Member since
    May 2019
  • 1,314 posts
Posted by BEAUSABRE on Sunday, July 9, 2023 12:41 PM

I thought you were gonna be talking about NdeM's ex-Mexicano electrification of the infamous Maltrata Incline 

"On its 267-mile railway between Veracruz and Mexico City, the FC Mexicano faced the Maltrata incline between Paso del Macho (1,560 ft) and Esperanza (8,045 ft) – 4.7% grades and 16.5° curves over a distance of 64 miles. The FCM’s initial solution was to use Fairlie articulated steam locomotives, but with increasing traffic in 1924 the section between Orizaba and Esperanza was electrified, extended east from Orizaba to Cordoba (16 miles) in 1926 and in 1928 electrification to Paso del Macho (18 miles). Twelve B+B+B locomotives numbered 1001-1012 were provided by ALCO/GE, ten in 06-1923 and an additional two in 10-1929. They worked under 3000 volt D.C. current and were equipped with regenerative braking and multiple unit control. They could also be seen working in conjunction with steam or diesel locos. They had an output of 2520 hp and two locomotives were limited to 660 tonnes on the gradient. After FCM was incorporated into NdeM in 1960, the electrics were relettered in 1965. Electrification ended in 1974 and a number of the locos have been preserved. The line from Cordoba via Orizaba to Esperanza has been replaced by a new line with easier grades.."

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Sterling Heights, Michigan
  • 1,691 posts
Posted by SD60MAC9500 on Monday, July 10, 2023 3:27 PM

BEAUSABRE

I thought you were gonna be talking about NdeM's ex-Mexicano electrification of the infamous Maltrata Incline 

"On its 267-mile railway between Veracruz and Mexico City, the FC Mexicano faced the Maltrata incline between Paso del Macho (1,560 ft) and Esperanza (8,045 ft) – 4.7% grades and 16.5° curves over a distance of 64 miles. The FCM’s initial solution was to use Fairlie articulated steam locomotives, but with increasing traffic in 1924 the section between Orizaba and Esperanza was electrified, extended east from Orizaba to Cordoba (16 miles) in 1926 and in 1928 electrification to Paso del Macho (18 miles). Twelve B+B+B locomotives numbered 1001-1012 were provided by ALCO/GE, ten in 06-1923 and an additional two in 10-1929. They worked under 3000 volt D.C. current and were equipped with regenerative braking and multiple unit control. They could also be seen working in conjunction with steam or diesel locos. They had an output of 2520 hp and two locomotives were limited to 660 tonnes on the gradient. After FCM was incorporated into NdeM in 1960, the electrics were relettered in 1965. Electrification ended in 1974 and a number of the locos have been preserved. The line from Cordoba via Orizaba to Esperanza has been replaced by a new line with easier grades.."

 

Thanks for the info on the other electrification I updated the thread title.

Rahhhhhhhhh!!!!

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy