OK, someone sent me a short video clip of Amfleet Cars in Mexico along with an old SPV2000 all repainted into a Mexican scheme. What's up here? I thought there was an Amtrak equipment shortage.
Start at the 37 minute mark for the story about the Corridor Interoceanico's passenger service and how those Budds ended up in Mexico, told by one of the people who worked to get them down there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BMQTdYXaH8
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
SD70Dude Start at the 37 minute mark for the story about the Corridor Interoceanico's passenger service and how those Budds ended up in Mexico, told by one of the people who worked to get them down there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BMQTdYXaH8
Wow, thanks for the video. Interesting. Totally agree with their assessment of the Talgo trains starting at mark 50:47. I remember saying similar comments in the Trains Forum and people arguing with me over them. The Defense rests!!! Just kidding, I know it is just another opinion, don't get upset anyone.
On the comments on Mexican railways. Very long story there. I had a IT project in Mexico City a while back and learned a lot because half the project was half Mexican Nationals. The Mexicans I was with were far more critical of the Mexican Government than in the video, specifically on the rubber tired people mover in Mexico City and how railways were handled in general. The issue there was in the past they were treated like vehicles of political patronage and getting your relatives hired more than they were companies concerned with transportation. So it is true a lot of workers were hired that have no business working for even a state owned company. A lot of those folks are still working in their former roles. The other issue of course is corruption. This is the main reason the Mexican government uses the Army, Navy and Marines, etc to get things done or to arrest drug folks. They no longer trust local officials or private employees of some companies. That is reason #1. My project in Mexico City was back when the beheadings and kidnappings were taking place. In all but one specific instance, the victims there were involved in some way with the drug trade and even in that one specific instance there was doubt about their innocence locally. The other surprise for me was the locals knew exactly where you could eat without fear of ever getting Monezuma's Revenge. So I felt super safe traveling about Mexico City with the locals and they knew where the really good deals were like in any city. So all that background above to get to the final point. Most of the above is why they sold off majority interests in running their railways to foriegn firms ( United States firms). Mexican government felt they would be easier and more trustworthy to deal with AND they wanted to see them upgraded without having to risk capital or having it embezzed via Mexican government stewardship. So this is how it was all explained to me. I recognize it is another opinion as well for you people that insist on citations and links.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.