mexican rail spectacular

Independent arrivals in Merida, Yucatan by air or train. Tour members can fly into Cancun and then take the high speed Tren Maya to Merida. They can also fly to Merida. Upon arrival in Merida either by train or air transfer to our downtown hotel and check-in. Rest of the afternoon and evening at your own leisure relaxing. 3 Star Hotel Chariot

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Morning visit to The Merida Railway Museum. This rail museum is not only referred as the Merida Railway Museum but also as the Yucantan Railroad Museum. Incorporated in 2000 this museum has 38 pieces of rolling stock including locomotives on display. Beginning in 2022, the museum was incorporated into the La Plancha Great Park Project. While the equipment will still call the park home, minor relocations with heavy cranes was necessary as the new museum will be established in front of a man-made lake. Recently 25 of the 38 pieces of equipment were cosmetically restored. Three tracks were laid into a former warehouse that is now part of the museum. Two Alco Century C-628 diesels and a Baldwin 4-4-0 are now on display inside this building.

In the afternoon we travel 20 miles south of Merida and visit the Hacienda Sotuta de Peon which is a working Sisal Factory complete with mule driven carts rolling on railroad wheels and tracks. They are called “Mule Trains”. The Mexican Henequen industry is sisal fiber from agave plants used for making ropes, binder twine for farm machines, and sacks. We will visit the the Sisal Factory and even take a ride on a mule pulled train. In the evening we have our “Welcome to Mexico Dinner) 2nd night at the 3 Star Hotel Chariot.

🍽 dinner

Entrance To The Merida Railway Museum

Ferrocarril Sonora Baja California EMD F7A On Display
At The Merida Railway Museum

Alco Diesels On Display At this Museum -
next photo

4-6-0 Steam Locomotive

One Of The Sisal Factory Making Rope, Twine And
Other Products - next photo

We Take A Ride On The Rails Of A Sisal Industry Plantation
Pulled By A Mule

Ride Tren Maya's high speed train in first class Merida to Palenque, departs at 12:19pm and arriving in Palenque at 7:31pm. Transfer to the 4 Star Chan-Kah Resort Village for check-in which is located in a beautiful jungle setting near the National Park of Palenque Mayan Ruins. Be sure and pack your bathing suit as they have a pool and spa.

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We Will Be In Comfortable First Class on Tren Maya

The New High Speed Tren Maya - next 2 photos

After breakfast we visit the National Park of Palenque which has one of the best examples of Mayan Ruins. This archaeological site is one of the most outstanding classic period sites of the Maya World, known for its exceptional and well conserved architectural and sculptural remains. The elegance and craftsmanship of the construction, as well as the lightness of the sculpted reliefs illustrating Mayan mythology, is wonderful. 1,400 buildings have been recorded, of which only about 10% have been explored.

Early afternoon we go into the town of Palenque for lunch and then you will have the rest of the day at your own leisure. Perhaps a refreshing swim in the hotel pool or explore downtown Palenque. 2nd night at the 4 Star Chan-Kah-Resort Village.

🍽 lunch

National Park Of Palenque Mayan Ruins -
next photo

We have a leisure start to the day. You can enjoy a buffet breakfast at the hotel restaurant if you like prior to our check-out. We will go into town for our lunch prior to checking in at the FIT passenger station for our train journey. We will ride “Tren Interoceanico” on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Railway (FIT) from Palenque to Coatzocoalcos which is Line FA. The equipment used on this line is the British Class 43 locomotives and tran set. Depart 2:00pm and arrive 9:30pm. There is food onboard for purchase. Overnight in Coatzocoalcos at the 3 star Fiesta Inn Coatzocoalcos which is located right on the beach over looking the Gulf of Mexico.

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The FIT Map Showing Lines FA-Z-K

The British Class 43 Locomotive And Train Set

Tren Interoceanico with the British Equipment Rounding A Curve North Of Palenque

Our Train Journey Between Palenque And Coatzocoalcos Passes
Through Some Beautiful Lush Green Rolling Hills And Jungles. The
Above Photo Was Taken From The Window Of The Train On Our
Tour In 2025

Upon arrival at the “Tren Interoceanico” station we first take a tour of the diesel workshop yards where FIT has many diesel engines from both the USA and England stored awaiting repairs or painting. There are many diesels from the United States both GE and EMD including these models: GP 20, GP 40, GP 38-2, GP 40-2LW, GP 10, SD 60, SD 70M, F59PH, U23B, BG23-7, B30-7, Dash 8-39B, Dash 8-40B, plus the British built Class 43. Walking through the FIT diesel yards is like being at a well stocked model railroad hobby store with a wonderful variety of motive power.

Next we board the “Tren Interoceanico” in First Class on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Railway for the run westbound Coatzocoalcos to Salina Cruz on the Z Line. This train is made up of former Amtrak Amfleet and SPV-2000 passenger cars including a former Northern Pacific-CB&Q dome car that once had the name of Stampede Pass. Our first class coach is coupled next to the dome car and we will have access to this car for the entire journey today.

“Tren Interoceanico” departs at 8:00am on the east coast of Mexico and 188 miles later arrives in Salina Cruz at 2:00pm on the west coast of Mexico. Most of this route is in the jungles of the Mexican Isthmus. FIT is gearing up to begin frequent freight on this line which will compete with the Panama Canal.

After arrival in Salina Cruz we take a short tour of the city and an overlook above the Pacific Ocean prior to hotel check-in at the 3 star Hotel One Salina Cruz.

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Ferrocarril Interoceanico-Ferrocarril Del Istmo De
Tehuantepec (FIT) Rolled Out The Red Carpet For Our
Tour Group In 2025 Ensuring That Everyone Had A
Wonderful Time. FIT has welcomed us back in 2026

Visiting The Diesel Locomotive Storage Yard In
Coatzocoalcos As FIT Gets Ready To Complete With The
Panama Canal For Freight Traffic - next 3 photos

British and American Motive Power Side By Side
At Coatzocoalcos

The Former Northern Pacific-Chicago Burlington & Quincy Stampede
Pass Dome Car Is Now Operating On The FIT's Tren Interoceanico
Between Coatzocoalcos And Salina Cruz

Tren Interoceanico Rounding A Curve As Seen
From The Dome Car

The Onboard Staff Taking Good Care Of Our Tour Group in 2025

The Best Way To Enjoy The Scenery Is From The Dome Car

Great View Of Our Train From The Dome Car

Tren Interoceanico Operates Through Some Very
Remote Areas Of The Isthmus

Private charter train on the FIT's Line K Salina Cruz to Tapachula which is near the Guatemala border. Photo stops and photo run-bys will be made as time permits. As of early 2026 regular passenger service is only operating part of the way to Tapachula but the railroad has already run test trains over the entire K Line. Hotel check-in at the 5 star Hotel Casa Mexicana in Tapachula.

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After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight Tapachula to Mexico City departing at 10:51am and arriving at 12:45pm. Transfer to downtown and visit the Zocalo section of the city which includes the historic Catedral Metropolitana de la Asuncion which is the largest in all of Latin America. An option will be available to visit some of the steam locomotives on display around the city. Later in the afternoon we check-in to our hotel which is next to the catedral and the Zocalo Historico Section. 4 star Hotel Catedral.

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The Catedral Metropolitana De La Asuncion In The
Zocalo Section Of Mexico City

Plaza De La Constitucion In The Center Of Mexico City

Palaclo De Bellas Artes Plaza In Mexico City

After a leisure breakfast we travel to the Teotihuacan Pyramids which is located 30 miles from the city.  Also for those that are interested we will offer an option to ride the extensive Mexico City Metro later in the day. 2nd night in Mexico City at the 4 star Hotel Catedral.

2nd night in Mexico City.

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The Teotihuacan Pyramids Located 30 Miles From Mexico City

Day trip by charter motorcoach to Puebla to visit the National Railway Museum of Mexican Railroads. We have arranged for the museum to operate the former Santa Fe-Delaware & Hudson Alco PA and the former Northern Pacific EMC/EMD FTA diesels pulling a short train for photos. This Alco PA is one of only two that still operate in the world. The EMC FTA is the only diesel of this model still in operation in the entire world. This wonderful museum has a beautiful collection of diesles, steam, and electric plus railcars, passenger cars, cabosses and freight equipment. Afer our visit to this railroad museum we return to Mexico City.

3rd night in Mexico City at the 4 star Hotel Catedral.

🍽 breakfast, lunch

Photos Show Some Of The Classic Motive Power At
The National Museum Of Mexican Railroads
In Puebla - next 6 photos

Former Santa Fe Alco PA 66 Became Delaware & Hudson
No. 19 Before Going to Mexico To Pull Passenger Trains
On The Ferrocarril Del Pacifico Between The US Border At
Nogales and Guadalajara. In Honor Of The D & H
Legacy The Mexican Railroads Kept The Same Identification
Of DH 19. There Are Only Two Alco PA's In The World That
Can Operate. We Have Made Special Arrangements For This
Diesel To Pull A Short Photo Train For Our Cameras.

While Visiting The National Museum Of Mexican Railroads
We Have Also Arranged To Have The Only Operating EMC FT
A diesel In The World Pull A Short Photo Train For Our
Group. Ferrocarril Sonora Baja California 2203 Came
From The Northern Pacific Railroad And Was Originally
No. 6010D.

Additional Historic Motive Power and Rail Cars
At This Museum - next 2 photos

The Snow Covered Volcano Popocatepetl Over Shadows The City Of Puebla

After breakfast and hotel check-out we travel on our charter motorcoach to the city of Toluca to ride on the new high speed “Tren Insurgente”. Toluca is about one hour northwest of Mexico City. We will then ride “Tren Insurgente” on a Mexico City bound train. As of December 2025 there is 36 miles of track open on this line. Construction work continues and by November 2026 there is a good chance that more trackage will be open. From the end of this line we will transfer to the Mexico City Metro and ride this to the airport. Our motorcoach will carry our luggage to the airport and meet us there. We have a 3:00pm flight to catch for Guadalajara arriving at 4:30pm. Upon arrival we transfer to the 3 Star Holiday Inn & Suites Guadalajara Centro Historico. This hotel is only two blocks from the Plaza de Armas and the beautiful Guadalajara Cathedral.

🍽 breakfast, lunch

The New High Speed Train Called Tren Insurgente Running to Toluca,
a distance of 36 Miles - next 3 photos

We Ride The Mexico City Metro To The Airport

Guadalajara City tour including the Guadalajara Cathedral and the Plaza de la Armas. We will also visit the interesting Museo del Ejercito y Fuerza Aerea (Army and Air Force Museum) and take a ride on the Metro. In the evening we will host our “Farewell Dinner” 2nd overnight in Guadalajara at the 3 star Holiday Inn & Suites Guadalajara Centro Historico.

🍽 lunch, dinner

The Cathedral Of The Assumpton Of Our Lady On The Plaza De Armas In
Guadalajara - next photo

The Interior Of The Cathedral Of The
Assumpton Of Our Lady - next 4 photos

Plaza De Armas In Guadalajara

Museo del Ejercito y Fuerza Aerea “Army and Air Force Museum” -
next photo

During Our City Tour We Will Take A ride On the
Guadalajara Metro - next 2 photos

Ride the Herradura Tequila Express special train in First Class operating from Guadalajara to Tequila and return. Once in the town of Tequila we will be transported to the Casa Sauza distillery to learn how they make Tequila. We will also have time to explore the charming town of Tequila. The train departs Guadalajara at 9:30 am and arrives in Tequila at 12:30pm. On the return journey the train departs at 7:00pm and arrives back in Guadalajara at 9:00pm. 3rd night in Guadalajara at the 3 star Holiday Inn & Suites Guadalajara Centro.

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Photos Of the Luxury Herradura Tequila Express - next 6 photos

At The Casa Sauza Tequila Distillery - next 3 photos

Casa Sauza Tequila Harvest Demonstration

The Village Of Tequila - next photo

One Of The Agave Tequilana (Blue Agave) Fields Near
The Village of Tequila

Hotel check-out and the main tour ends in Guadalajara . Flights home. The add-on option group transfers to the Guadalajara Airport for their flight to Chihuahua.

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Flight Guadalajara to Chihuahua departing at 1:05pm and arriving at 2:15pm. Transfer to downtown and hotel check-in at 3 Star Quality Inn Chihuahua San Francisco . The rest of the afternoon and evening at your own leisure. Our hotel is one block from the Plaza de Armas and several good restaurants. Also the Quality Inn has their own restaurant too. After you get settled into your room you might enjoy a short one block walk to the Cathedral on The Plaza De Armas.

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The Cathedral On The Plaza De Armas Is One Block
From Our Hotel - next photo

Chihuahua City tour including the Francisco Villa museum (Pancho Villa Revolutionary) and visit the steam locomotives on display. 2nd overnight in Chihuahua at the 3 star Quality Inn Chihuahua San Francisco.

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We Visit The Very Interesting Francisco Villa Museum
“Pancho Villa Revolutionary” - next photo

One Of The Steam Locomotives On Display in Chihuahua

After breakfast at our hotel we check-out and transfer to the Ferromex depot in Chihuahua to board our private charter train for the journey Chihuahua to Divisadero, a distance of 220 miles. The railroad has approved our request to stage several photo run-bys today. Arrival in Divisadero will be just prior to sunset. The Divisadero train station is located right next to the rim of the Copper Canyon at an elevation of 7,415 feet. Here we transfer to our waiting bus for the 1 mile ride to our hotel which sits on the rim of the Copper Canyon with spectacular views. All rooms at the 3 star Hotel Posada Mirador Barranca face the canyon. After hotel check-in you can get a drink in the lounge or have some dinner while enjoying the spectacular views of the canyon.

🍽 breakfast, lunch

Our charter Train Will Pass Through Some Beautiful Scenery
In The Sierra Madre Mountains

With The Vestibules Left Open You Will Have Plenty Of
Oppertunities For Taking Some Great Photos
Between Chihuahua And Divisadero

A Westbound Trains & Travel Charter Several Years Ago Making A Photo
Run-by. We Will Stage Several Photo Run-bys Including Some
Beautiful Bridges

El Chepe Regional Train At The Divisadero Station

Between Creel And Divisadero Our Train Will Loop Around
“El Lazo” Which Is Another Tehachapi Loop, Williams Loop,
And Georgetown Loop

The Hotel Posada Mirador Barranca Was Built On The Rim Of The
Copper Canyon With Spectacular Views From Every Room. -
next photo

The Views Of Copper Canyon From Our Hotel Is Breathtaking After
Hotel Check-In We Go Visit The Copper Canyon Adventure Park. You
Might Enjoy A ride On the Aerial Tram Which Passes Over A Section
Of The Canyon

After breakfast we will first visit the Copper Canyon Adventure Park for some more spectacular views of the canyon. The park has a aerial tramway that will take you over a section of the canyon. They also have a zip line for the thrill seekers. Next we travel east towards Creel which is the home town of the Tarahumara Indians. We will visit Lake Arareko where we will have a picnic lunch. Then it is on to the Cusárare Waterfall, Valley of the Monks and Mushrooms. You will also have time to explore the delightful small town of Creel that has a populatin of only 5,330 persons and sits at an elevation of 7,710 feet. There are gift shops and interesting art galleries to enjoy. Before we head back to our hotel in Divisadero we will have dinner in Creel. 2nd night at the 3 star Hotel Posada Mirador Barranca.

🍽 breakfast, lunch

The Aerial Tramway At the Copper Canyon Adventure Park

Beautiful Lake Arareko Near Creel Where We Will Have Our Picnic Lunch

Valley Of The Monks and Valley Of The Mushrooms - next photo

The Cusárare Waterfall Also Located Near Creel -
next photo

After breakfast and hotel check-out we transfer to the Ferromex station to reboard our own private charter train for the 183 mile journey Divisadero to Los Mochis. The railroad has approved our request to stage several photo run-bys today as we make our way down the west slope of the Sierra Madre Mountains. On our rail journey today we will pass over the steep Temois Loops including a 180 degree tunnel. We plan to arrive in Los Mochis a little prior sunset so you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of our train and any diesel engines parked at the station. Also there is a steam locomotive on display in front of the Los Mochis Station. Transfer to our hotel and check-in at the 5 star Santa Anita Executive Hotel.

🍽 breakfast, lunch

Some Of The Huge Bridges That Our Charter Train Will
Travel Over Today On Our Way To Los Mochis -
next photo

The Ferrocarril Chuhuahua Al Pacifico Route Through The Sierra Mardre Is Rugged With 86 Tunnels And 37 Bridges And Was Finally Opened In 1961 After Close To 60 Years Of Construction. Ferromex Took Control Of This Line In 1998 Under A 50 Year Concession From The Mexican Government

A Westbound Train Comes Out Of The La Laja Tunnel And
Onto The Massive La Laja Bridge

Ferromex Has Given The Approval For Us to Stage Photo
Run-by On The 596 Foot High La Laja Bridge.

Half Way Down The Mountain We Will Pass Over The Famous Temoris Loops Where the Tracks Loop Down the Steep Grade To The Santa Barbara Bridge Crossing The Septentrion River. These Loops Includes Passing Through The La Pera Tunnel Which Travels Through The Mountain In A 180 Degree Curve.

A Westbound Train On The Santa Barbara Bridge At The Temoris Loops.
You Can See Two Track Levels On The Loops (Right Side Of The Photo)

An Eastbound Trains & Travel Charter Train Is Seen On The Temoris
Bridge. We Will Have A Photo Run-by At This Location On Our 2026 Tour

Another Photo Run-By Location Approved By The Railroad Is On
The Chinapas Bridge

End of the add-on option after breakfast and hotel check-out. Flights home.

🍽 breakfast