Chihuahua al Pacifico

[DavidBragdon]

Does anyone have advice comparing the first class Chihuahua - Los Mochis train with the second class one?  Thanks.

 

[bajadog]

I rode the 1st class a few years ago Chihuahua to Sufragio, with an overnight stop in Creel, thence Mazatlan on a 2nd class train.  First class onthe Chihuahua Pacifico was great, and 2nd class on the Sud Pacifico gives a whole new meaning to 2nd class.  However, I believe the passenger trains have been eliminated on the Nogales/Mazatlan/Guadalahara main, and all that is left on the ChihuahuaPacifico is a "first class" train.

[DavidBragdon]

I am now back from my trip and can report - you are correct that the Nogales-Guadalajara line (like nearly all other trunk lines in Mexico such as the lines from Mexico City to Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Veracruz, Oaxaca) is freight only.  Most passenger trains were eliminated around 2000 and like most of Latin America, the nation of Mexico is almost entirely a bus and plane country now.

The one exception, and a remarkable one it is, is El Chepe, the Chihuahua al Pacifico.  The line from Chihuahua to Los Mochis (about 16 hours from one end to the other) has two passenger trains a day, which both travel during the day.  The first class train is quite good, and somewhat faster, and the second class train (which we met but did not ride) appears to be fairly decent too.

 

[blue streak 1]

Had good food on the first class train. be sure if you go from chihauhau to go the full distance. the best scenery is from their grand canyon west. wadtch out for travel agents they will try to sell a very expensive package. if you buy a ticket at the station you must have mexican cash. no credit cards. travel agents do accept cards

[yosemitevalley]

I rode the line 3 times- once in the 1970s, once in the 1980s and the last time was in 1991. I enjoyed lunch in the ex-UP diner the last time. The main enjoyment was riding in the open vestibule, something which is difficult to do on Amtrak or Via (albeit not impossible). The 2nd class train, at the time, did not sport a diner. Trackside vendors were the source of food and drink for passengers traveling segunda clase.

Next month I'll ride the line again, this time as part of a Holland-America shore excursion. The all day trip takes passengers by bus from the port of Topolobampo to El Fuerte. The round-trip ride is to Posada Barrancas and return. So far as I can tell, I believe the 1st class train consist is used. But I'll find out soon.

Viva Ferromex!