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The '''Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico''' (Chihuahua-Pacific Railway), also known as '''El Chepe''' from its ] '''CHP''', is a major rail line in northwest ], linking ] to ] and its port, ].<ref>For a good but slightly dated guide to the railroad and the area, see Wampler, Joseph, "New Rails to Old Towns: The Region and Story of the Ferrocarriles Chihuahua al Pacifico," (1969, Berkeley, CA).</ref> It crosses the ], part of the range that in the United States is called the ]. There is no road covering the trajectory. The '''Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico''' (Chihuahua-Pacific Railway), also known as '''El Chepe''' from its ] '''CHP''', is a major rail line in northwest ], linking the ] to ] and its port, ].<ref>For a good but slightly dated guide to the railroad and the area, see Wampler, Joseph, "New Rails to Old Towns: The Region and Story of the Ferrocarriles Chihuahua al Pacifico," (1969, Berkeley, CA).</ref> It crosses the ], part of the range that in the United States is called the ]. There is no road covering the trajectory.


It runs {{convert|673|km|mi|abbr=on}}, traversing the ], a rugged series of canyons that have led some to call this the most scenic railroad trip on the continent. It is both an important transportation system for locals and a draw for tourists.<ref name=Owen></ref> It runs {{convert|673|km|mi|abbr=on}}, traversing the ], a rugged series of canyons that have led some to call this the most scenic railroad trip on the continent. It is both an important transportation system for locals and a draw for tourists.<ref name=Owen></ref>
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The tracks pass over 37 ]s and through 86 ]s, rising as high as {{convert|2400|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level near Divisadero (the ]), a popular lookout spot over the canyons.<ref name=Chepe></ref> Each one-way trip takes roughly 16 hours. The track also ] to gain elevation. The tracks pass over 37 ]s and through 86 ]s, rising as high as {{convert|2400|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level near Divisadero (the ]), a popular lookout spot over the canyons.<ref name=Chepe></ref> Each one-way trip takes roughly 16 hours. The track also ] to gain elevation.


The headquarters were in turn located in Mexico City, Chihuahua and Los Mochis.{{cn|date= October 2022}} The headquarters were in turn located in Mexico City, Chihuahua and Los Mochis.{{citation needed|date= October 2022}}


==History== ==History==
The goal was to build the shortest (1,600 miles) transcontinental railroad from Pacific coast to the Midwest.<ref>{{cite web |title=The "Chepe Express" (Train) |url=https://www.american-rails.com/chepe.html |website=American-Rails |access-date=31 October 2022}}</ref> The concept of the railroad was officially recognized in 1880, when the ], General ], granted a rail concession to Albert Kinsey Owen<ref name="Owen"/><ref></ref> of the Utopia Socialist Colony of ], ], who was seeking to develop a ] in Mexico. The railroad was actually built by ]<ref name="work"/> as the ], starting about 1900.<ref>{{cite web |title=The "Chepe Express" (Train) |url=https://www.american-rails.com/chepe.html |website=American-Rails |access-date=31 October 2022}}</ref>

The concept of the railroad was officially recognized in 1880, when the ], General ], granted a rail concession to Albert Kinsey Owen<ref name="Owen"/><ref></ref> of the Utopia Socialist Colony of ], ], who was seeking to develop a ] in Mexico. The railroad was actually built by ]<ref name="work"/> as the ], starting about 1900.


From 1910 to 1914, ] (sp. ''Ferrocarril del Noroeste'') completed the Temosachic-Casas-Grandes line. ''Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway'' completed the Chihuahua-Ojinaga section.<ref name="chepe.mx/story"/> ]'s ''Chihuahua al Pacífico'' railroad completed the Chihuahua-Creel section.<ref name="chepe.mx/story"/> From 1910 to 1914, ] (sp. ''Ferrocarril del Noroeste'') completed the Temosachic-Casas-Grandes line. ''Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway'' completed the Chihuahua-Ojinaga section.<ref name="chepe.mx/story"/> ]'s ''Chihuahua al Pacífico'' railroad completed the Chihuahua-Creel section.<ref name="chepe.mx/story"/>


In 1940, the Mexico acquired rights from ''Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway''.<ref name="chepe.mx/story"/> In May 1952, Mexico took possession of a line operated by ''Mexican Northwestern Railway''.<ref name="chepe.mx/story"/> In 1955, Mexico merged them as ''Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifico, S.A. de C.V.''<ref name="chepe.mx/story">{{cite web |title=THE STORY OF THE CHEPE |url=https://chepe.mx/en/the-story-of-the-chepe/ |website=Chepe.mx |access-date=31 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref> In 1940, Mexico acquired the rights from ''Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway''.<ref name="chepe.mx/story"/> In May 1952, Mexico took possession of a line operated by ''Mexican Northwestern Railway''.<ref name="chepe.mx/story"/> In 1955, Mexico merged them as ''Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifico, S.A. de C.V.''<ref name="chepe.mx/story">{{cite web |title=THE STORY OF THE CHEPE |url=https://chepe.mx/en/the-story-of-the-chepe/ |website=Chepe.mx |access-date=31 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref>


Financial difficulties caused by the cost of building a railroad through rugged terrain delayed the project, and the ChP was not completed until 1961.<ref name="Owen"/><ref name="work"/> Financial difficulties caused by the cost of building a railroad through rugged terrain delayed the project, and the ChP was not completed until 1961.<ref name="Owen"/><ref name="work"/>


The private rail franchise ] took over the railroad from the Mexican government in 1998.{{cn|date= October 2022}} The private rail franchise ] took over the railroad from the Mexican government in 1998.{{citation needed|date= October 2022}}


==Schedule== ==Schedule==
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== In popular culture == == In popular culture ==
* The American funk group ] named a song off their 2016 album (''The Beautiful Game'') "El Chepe"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCYTR3wReXc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/KCYTR3wReXc| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Vulfpeck - El Chepe|website=]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> which features sounds of a train on a track. * The American funk group ] named a song off their 2016 album (''The Beautiful Game'') "El Chepe"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCYTR3wReXc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/KCYTR3wReXc| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Vulfpeck - El Chepe|website=]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> which features sounds of a train on a track.

⚫ ==Further reading==
⚫ * {{cite book |last1=Wampler |first1=Joseph K. |title=New Rails to Old Towns: The Region and Story of the Ferrocarriles Chihuahua Al Pacífico |date=1969 |publisher=The Author |location=Berkeley, CA |ol=13385746M |edition=First |url=https://openlibrary.org/books/OL13385746M/New_Rails_to_Old_Towns_the_Region_and_Story_of_the_Ferrocarriles_Chihuahau_Al_Pacifico |language=en}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Joseph Wampler |url=https://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3AJoseph+Wampler |website=Amazon.com |access-date=31 October 2022 |language=en-us}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
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==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}

⚫ ==Further reading==
⚫ * {{cite book |last1=Wampler |first1=Joseph K. |title=New Rails to Old Towns: The Region and Story of the Ferrocarriles Chihuahua Al Pacífico |date=1969 |publisher=The Author |location=Berkeley, CA |ol=13385746M |edition=First |url=https://openlibrary.org/books/OL13385746M/New_Rails_to_Old_Towns_the_Region_and_Story_of_the_Ferrocarriles_Chihuahau_Al_Pacifico |language=en}}


==External links== ==External links==

Latest revision as of 23:09, 15 May 2024

Passenger and cargo railway between Chihuahua City, Chihuahua and Los Mochis, Sinaloa
El Chepe
The Chepe Train
Overview
Service typeTourist train
StatusOperating
LocaleNorthwestern Mexico
PredecessorKansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway
First serviceNovember 22, 1961
Current operator(s)Ferromex (since 1998)
WebsiteChepe
Route
TerminiChihuahua
Los Mochis
Stops20
Distance travelled668 kilometres (415 mi)
Technical
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Route map
Legend
Former stations
Former stations
Ojinaga
Chapo
La Mula
Lagunitas
Volcanes
Vinatas
Chilicote
Pulpito
Falomir
Picachos
San Sostenes
Colonias
Encantada
Morreon
Trancas
Aldama
Calera
Muller
Tabalaopa
Chihuahua
Former stations
Former stations
Salas
Palomas
Araiza
Santa Isabel
Baeza
Chavarría
San Andrés
Mesa
Bustillos
Anahuac
Cuauhtémoc
Former stations
Former stations
Casa Colorada
Cima
Pedernales
Rosario
La Junta
Former stations
Former stations
Minaca
La Union
Gonzalez
Terrero
Pichachic
Ataros
Trevino
Talayotes
Pineria
San Juanito
Former stations
Former stations
La Laja
Bocoyna
Creel-Sierra Tarahumara
Pitorreal
Divisadero
Former station
Former station
Ing. Francisco M. Togno
San Rafael
Cuiteco
Bahuichivo-Cerocahui
Former stations
Former stations
Parajes
Cerocahui
Témoris
Former stations
Former stations
Septentrion
Santo Nino
Jesus Cruz
Descanso
Agua Caliente
Loreto
Former station
Former station
La Laguna
Chihuahua
Sinaloa
Former station
Former station
Ing. Heriberto Valdez
El Fuerte
Former stations
Former stations
Norotes
San Blas
Sufragio
Former station
Former station
Constancia
Los Mochis
Former station
Former station
Topolobampo
This diagram:
image icon Tren Turístico railway map
Bridge across the Río Fuerte at El Fuerte
El Chepe at terminal station, 8 February 2009

The Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico (Chihuahua-Pacific Railway), also known as El Chepe from its reporting mark CHP, is a major rail line in northwest Mexico, linking the city of Chihuahua to Los Mochis and its port, Topolobampo. It crosses the Sierra Madre Occidental, part of the range that in the United States is called the Rocky Mountains. There is no road covering the trajectory.

It runs 673 km (418 mi), traversing the Copper Canyon, a rugged series of canyons that have led some to call this the most scenic railroad trip on the continent. It is both an important transportation system for locals and a draw for tourists.

The tracks pass over 37 bridges and through 86 tunnels, rising as high as 2,400 m (7,900 ft) above sea level near Divisadero (the continental divide), a popular lookout spot over the canyons. Each one-way trip takes roughly 16 hours. The track also crosses over itself to gain elevation.

The headquarters were in turn located in Mexico City, Chihuahua and Los Mochis.

History

The concept of the railroad was officially recognized in 1880, when the president of Mexico, General Manuel González, granted a rail concession to Albert Kinsey Owen of the Utopia Socialist Colony of New Harmony, Indiana, United States, who was seeking to develop a socialist colony in Mexico. The railroad was actually built by Arthur Stilwell as the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway, starting about 1900.

From 1910 to 1914, Mexico North Western Railway (sp. Ferrocarril del Noroeste) completed the Temosachic-Casas-Grandes line. Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway completed the Chihuahua-Ojinaga section. Enrique Creel's Chihuahua al Pacífico railroad completed the Chihuahua-Creel section.

In 1940, Mexico acquired the rights from Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway. In May 1952, Mexico took possession of a line operated by Mexican Northwestern Railway. In 1955, Mexico merged them as Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifico, S.A. de C.V.

Financial difficulties caused by the cost of building a railroad through rugged terrain delayed the project, and the ChP was not completed until 1961.

The private rail franchise Ferromex took over the railroad from the Mexican government in 1998.

Schedule

In general, two different passenger trains run daily: Chepe Regional, a slower service with more stops for locals, with 15 official stops and more than 50 flag stops at which boardings or disembarkations can be made at passenger request, and the other a luxury, Chepe Express, direct service for tourists, which is faster and more expensive. First-class trains are composed of two to three cars, each holding 64 passengers. Second-class trains have three or four cars, each holding 68 passengers.

There is also regular cargo service running between Topolobampo and Chihuahua that might be further increased and extended so as to connect with the Texas Pacifico Transportation Railroad at the Ojinaga Presidio Crossing into the United States as a part of the La Entrada al Pacifico.

On its way from Los Mochis to Chihuahua it runs through El Fuerte, Temoris, Bahuichivo, Posada Barrancas, Divisadero, and Creel, among others.

In popular culture

  • The American funk group Vulfpeck named a song off their 2016 album (The Beautiful Game) "El Chepe" which features sounds of a train on a track.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Working on the Railroad". Archived from the original on 2008-12-25. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  2. "Ruta". Chepe Express en México al Pacífico. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  3. For a good but slightly dated guide to the railroad and the area, see Wampler, Joseph, "New Rails to Old Towns: The Region and Story of the Ferrocarriles Chihuahua al Pacifico," (1969, Berkeley, CA).
  4. ^ COPPER CANYON - Chihuahua al Pacífico Train
  5. ^ Chepe.mx
  6. Topolobampo or Bust
  7. "The "Chepe Express" (Train)". American-Rails. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  8. ^ "THE STORY OF THE CHEPE". Chepe.mx. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  9. "Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico". Mexico Activities. Lonely Planet. Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  10. "Vulfpeck - El Chepe". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12.

Further reading

External links

Currently operating passenger rail, light rail, commuter rail, and rapid transit systems in Mexico
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