Has anyone else besides me been keeping up with the fallout from recent elections in Mexico, and their implications (or lack thereof) on CAFTA-, NAFTA- or RR-related issues? One of the news services I get report that, as a result of Calderon and the PAN’s victory, UP has now been able to assume control over the main north-south RR line there, and has subsequently eliminated the passenger rail service. (this line was the one that belonged to NdeM, right?) Any other developments I missed?
When the government-owned railroads in Mexico were privatized beginning in about 1995, virtually all passenger trains were discontinued. The only service of consequence left is two daily trains each way between Chihuahua & Los Mochis on the former Chihuahua al Pacifico, now Ferromex. There is a first class train, catering mainly to tourists, with 10 stops enroute & an economy service with 15 regular stops & over 50 flagstops (!). Check out http://chepe.com.mx/ for all the details. All other long-distance services are gone. There are a couple of local routes left. For further info on those, check out the Mexlist group on yahoo. Joining Mexlist is a great way to keep up with rail developments in Mexico.
All privatization had been accomplished IIRC by 1999, so the recent elections would have no bearing on that. The UP has a 49% interest (the maximum allowed by Mexican law) in Ferromex.
You Tube has some great movies of Mexican Railroads.I like the one of a long passenger train the longest one i have ever seen plus on the rear it has freight.