Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico: Difference between revisions

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			{{Short description\|Passenger and cargo railway between Chihuahua City, Chihuahua and Los Mochis, Sinaloa}}
	The '''Chihuahua al Pacífico''' Railroad, known as ChP or "Chepe", is a major rail line in northwest ], linking the city of ], ], to the town of ], ], near the Pacific coast. It runs 650 km (400) miles, passing through the ], a beautiful and rugged series of canyons that have led some to call this the most scenic railroad trip on the continent.
			{{Infobox rail service
			\| box_width = 300px
			\| name = ''El Chepe''
			\| color =
			\| logo =
			\| logo_width =
			\| image = Chepe Divisadero.jpg
			\| image_width = 300px
			\| caption = The Chepe Train
			\| type = ]
			\| status = Operating
			\| locale = Northwestern ]
			\| predecessor = ]
			\| first = November 22, 1961<ref name=work>{{Cite web \|url=http://www.mexicohorse.com/Train%20History.htm \|title=Working on the Railroad \|access-date=2009-01-04 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225151714/http://www.mexicohorse.com/Train%20History.htm \|archive-date=2008-12-25 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>
			\| last =
			\| successor =
			\| operator = ] <small>(since 1998)</small>
			\| formeroperator =
			\| ridership =
			\| ridership2 =
			\| website =
			\| start = ]
			\| stops = 20
			\| end = ]
			\| distance = {{convert\|415\|mi\|km\|disp=flip}}
			\| journeytime =
			\| frequency =
			\| trainnumber =
			\| line_used =
			\| class =
			\| access =
			\| seating =
			\| sleeping =
			\| autorack =
			\| catering =
			\| observation =
			\| entertainment =
			\| baggage =
			\| otherfacilities =
			\| stock =
			\| gauge = {{RailGauge\|sg\|allk=on}}
			\| el =
			\| speed =
			\| owners =
			\| routenumber =
			\| maintenance =
			\| sharing =
			\| map = {{El Chepe}}
			\| map_state = collapsed
			}}
			{{external media
			\| float =
			\| width =
			\| topic = <!--centered italic text--->
			\| caption = <!-- text placed left or right of headerimage --->
			\| headerimage= <!--search commons please include "\|alt= text" and x-height in px "\|x20px" example ] or ...\|right]] --->
			\| title =
			\| image1 = <ref>{{cite web \|title=Ruta \|url=https://chepe.mx/tren/ruta-mapa-tren-turistico/ \|website=Chepe Express en México al Pacífico \|access-date=31 October 2022 \|language=en}}</ref>
			\| image2 =
			\| image3 =
			}}
			]]]
			]
			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>
	The idea for the railroad was officially started in 1880, when the ], General ], granted a rail concession to of ] of the Utopia Socialist Colony of ], ], who was seeking to develop a socialist colony. Financial difficulties, spurred by the cost of building a railroad through the rugged canyons, plagued the project, and it was not until 1961 that the ChP was completed.

			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.
	In 1998, the private rail franchise ] took over the railroad from the Mexican government, which had operated all railroads since 1940. In general, two trains run daily: one a slightly slower service with more stops for locals, and one a direct, more expensive service for tourists.

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

			==History==
	]
			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>
	]

			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, 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"/>

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

			==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 ]s 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.<ref name="Chepe"/> 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.<ref name="Chepe"/><ref>{{cite web \|title=Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico \|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/the-copper-canyon-ferrocarril-chihuahua-pacifico/activities/ferrocarril-chihuahua-pacifico/a/poi-act/1405591/1330641 \|website=Mexico Activities \|publisher=] \|access-date=31 October 2022 \|language=en \|archive-date=31 October 2022 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031094704/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/the-copper-canyon-ferrocarril-chihuahua-pacifico/activities/ferrocarril-chihuahua-pacifico/a/poi-act/1405591/1330641 \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

			There is also regular cargo service running between Topolobampo and Chihuahua that might be further increased and extended so as to connect with the ] Railroad at the ] ] Crossing into the United States as a part of the ].

			On its way from ] to ] it runs through ], ], ], Posada Barrancas, ], and ], among others.

			== 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.

			==See also==
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]

			==References==
			{{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==
			* {{in lang\|es}}—
			* {{in lang\|es}}—
			* : Mexican railroad discussion and study group
			*
			* ]

			{{MexLightRail}}
			{{Authority control}}

			{{DEFAULTSORT:Chihuahua al Pacifico}}
			]
			]
			]
			]
			]
			]
			]
			]
			]
			]
			]
			]
			]

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 type

Tourist train

Status

Operating

Locale

Northwestern Mexico

Predecessor

Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway

First service

November 22, 1961

Current operator(s)

Ferromex (since 1998)

Website

Chepe

Route

Termini

Chihuahua
Los Mochis

Stops

Distance travelled

668 kilometres (415 mi)

Technical

Track gauge

1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

Route map

Former stations

Former stations

Mesa

Bustillos

Anahuac

Cuauhtémoc

Former stations

Casa Colorada

Cima

Pedernales

Rosario

La Junta

Former stations

Minaca

La Union

Gonzalez

Terrero

Pichachic

Ataros

Trevino

Talayotes

Pineria

San Juanito

Former stations

La Laja

Bocoyna

Creel-Sierra Tarahumara

Pitorreal

Divisadero

Former station

Ing. Francisco M. Togno

San Rafael

Cuiteco

Bahuichivo-Cerocahui

Former stations

Parajes

Cerocahui

Témoris

Former stations

Septentrion

Santo Nino

Jesus Cruz

Descanso

Agua Caliente

Loreto

Former station

La Laguna

Chihuahua

Sinaloa

Former station

Ing. Heriberto Valdez

El Fuerte

Former stations

Norotes

San Blas

Sufragio

Former station

Constancia

Los Mochis

Former station

Topolobampo

This diagram:

Tren Turístico railway map

*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.

References

^ "Working on the Railroad". Archived from the original on 2008-12-25. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
"Ruta". Chepe Express en México al Pacífico. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
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).
^ COPPER CANYON - Chihuahua al Pacífico Train
^ Chepe.mx
Topolobampo or Bust
"The "Chepe Express" (Train)". American-Rails. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
^ "THE STORY OF THE CHEPE". Chepe.mx. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
"Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico". Mexico Activities. Lonely Planet. Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
"Vulfpeck - El Chepe". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12.

External links

(in Spanish)—El Chepe (chepe.mx)
(in Spanish)—El Chepe (chepe.com.mx)
MEXLIST : Mexican railroad discussion and study group
How to Visit Copper Canyon by Train
Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifico North America Railway Hall of Fame

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

DF & Edomex	Suburbano El Insurgente STC Metro
DF	Xochimilco Tren Ligero Aerotrén

Jal	SITEUR Tequila Express Tequila Herradura Express
NL	Metrorrey
Chih & Sin	Chihuahua al Pacífico

Chia, Tab, Cam, Yuc, Qui	Tren Maya
Oxca & Vrcz	Line Z
Vrcz & Chia	Line FA

Categories:

Latest revision as of 23:09, 15 May 2024

History

Schedule

In popular culture

See also

References

Further reading

External links