Welcome to "Phil's Loco Photos"

A two week visit to Mexico for an ADL charter started with three of us flying to Mexico City via Frankfurt. We stayed first night in the city and then did the Beristain branch on an extremely busy one coach train but it got us there and back and then we did a sleeper to Guadalajara where we met up with main tour group. After a visit to the FCP depot we took regular train #3 to Ahuacatlan for #4 back, both with GE power. Next day was first day of main tour and we set of northbound on #1 with GE C30-7 461 and ALCO C628 606 on the front, sadly fire bells were ringing on the C628 and did very little word afterwards and from Tepic we have the GE alone. At Mazatlan GE Super 7 14008 and C30-7 11073 are added to the front of our train as far as Sufragio (433 km!). Next day we finally arrive at Empalme and go down to the vast FNM workshops for an official visit and even see PA ALCO being returned to traffic. We continue north again on train 1 for the remaining 412 km run to Nogales where we stayed. Back south next day with GE and RS11 ALCO power assisting and at Benjamin Hill we had a quick depot visit and then further south to Sufragio and then taxi to Los Michos. Next day was GP38-2P power on train 74 for the long journey to Chihuaha through the Copper Canyon and during the day had extra locos on the train. Next day we joined train 14 for the long run south to Torreon for one night. After a depot visit we join train 8 for the run south to Mexico City via Aguascalientes, a long journey in a very cold train! On arrival in Mexico City we take bus to the Vale de México depot for an official visit, even saw a couple of ex NJT U34CHs in the process. We left with a charter train bound for Puebla, the promised ALCO power didn't happen, but GE B23-7 was still very good, we took the long route via Chautla and arrived in the late evening for our two night stay. Three of us had extra day on trains from Puebla and went to Totalco via Amozoc and Oriental and sampling for GEs and two GMs during the day. Left next day for spectacular journey to Veracruz but sadly no GE power. Next day was from Veracruz to Apizaca via Orizaba with GE power and another spectacular route, ended up with taxi back to Puebla after major late running. The main tour group returned to Mexico City by bus we preferred train, going from Puebla Hueyotlipan to Apizaco for short taxi ride to Xicotencatl for train 102 to Oriental and then 101 to Mexico City, all with GE power, giving an excellent day. Quick trip next morning with elderly GE U23B 9102 as far Vale de México depot, for a GP38-2 to Xalostoc and a C30-7 back into town. A quick trip on metro to see Union Pacific Centennial 6911 and then made our way to airport and flight home via Frankfurt. We make a quick trip into Frankfurt/M Hbf with 103 power during our time at the airport!