Whenever planning a family trip, I put a tremendous amount of effort into making sure that there will be trains to see. Of course, convincing the family that Allentown or Tehachapi is a vacation spot has never quite worked out. But two wonderful vacation locations that do have railfanning possibilities are Mazatlan, Mexico and Santa Barbara, California. Both offer sea, sun, great restaurants and limited rail service. Here are some pics from family trips to these locations.
Mazatlan, Mexico, two days after Christmas, 2002. The single daily northbound happens into the depot while I am over there (a tremendous piece of good luck according to the local railroad workers). I have to say, the Mazatlan railroad personal were astoundingly friendly to me. My advice if you go is to get permission before you visit,. I’ve been told that they’ve turned away fans without it. I had a friend who spoke Spanish call the station for me and arrange things.
By the way - anyone know what the symbol for this train would have been?
The same train going away (but the light was good). This was my first time ever seeing Super Sevens (there were others in the yard too). In a bit of ugly irony, my incredibly reliable Canon AE1 died shortly after this shot. (Always bring a back up body).
Now, moving to Santa Barbara, here is the morning train from San Luis Obispo (another great vacation spot/railfanning locale). I may have to go back and try this shot again with a ladder, as I really like having Mission Creek in the foreground, but wish the railing didn’t cover
[:D] That picture of the Amtrak “stub” is superlative! I’d never really seen a good picture of Amtrak west-coast (non-Talgo) ops. That newer-generation motive power and coordinating coaches are terrific.
If you sell your pix, you should offer that one to Amtrak or to anyone who’s planning a “coffee-table” book and needs the best color pix possible, and large. “Every picture tells a story,” and not only is yours beautiful, it says much more than most. - a.s.
I don’t remember where the cruise ships dock. It might be near downtown, in which case, I’m not sure about the busses. I would say this, taxis there are fairly easy to use (even if you don’t speak Spanish). Just bring a piece of paper that has where you want to go written down (and maybe a map) and hand it to them. Agree on a price before you leave. Cabs will charge outrageous prices if you don’t agree ahead of time. You can even use the map in the link below. It’s Estacion de Ferrocarril. Note, the entrance is at the corner of the dirt road that runs along side the track, and the paved road that is perpendicular just to the north of the dirt road.
Now, even though the bus marked #1 on this map is the one the station/yard, it’s not a #1 in real life. It’s the Cerritos-Juarez… which is written in chalk on the front window of the bus.
I would really strongly recommend you get a Spanish speaking friend to call ahead of time. I don’t have the phone number anymore, but at the time my hotel just looked it up in the local phone book. It’s Ferromex in Mazatalan.
If you don’t get permission, there is an overpass where you can see the action (It’s behind the train in my first shot), but you won’t be able to see the locomtives in the service facility.
Thanks I would use a taxi to get there & back for sure. I’m sure that a little exploring will get me there. Who knows it maybe within walking distance of the cruise liner. Thanks for what you provided me it certainly gives me something to work with
From that map it looks like #5 is where the ship docks so which way does the cab have to go from there?
Use a taxi for sure then. Mazatlan is bigger than most of the Mexican resort towns along there… and to walk from anywhere that there is deep water to the railroad station would be a very, very, very long trek. I don’t recommend it.