Train to Los Mochis
The start to perhaps the most glorious train ride in North
America, and certainly in all of Mexico, starts in the city of
Chihuahua, which lies in the northern Mexico state that's its
name sake. The city of Chihuahua is a pleasant town that lies at
an elevation of approximately 4550 feet. The city is worth a
visit if for no other reason than to catch the train to Los
Mochis. However, you would be missing quite a lot if you did not
allow yourself a few hours here. Since the train leaves from
Chihuahua early in the morning, you might as well arrive mid-day
before your travels and see what the city has to offer.
You might start your site seeing at one of the museums. The
regional museum (Museo Regional, has exquisite fine art rooms.
The child's room features scenes from Little Red Riding Hood,
while the bathroom has frogs playing among reeds. On the art
side, there is also the Museo de Arte Popular, which is worth a
visit. If your tastes run more historical you might want to
visit the former house of Benito Juarez which is now Museo de
Casa de Juarez. If you feel the spirits of revolutionaries in
Chihuahua, it is of little wonder as Pancho Villa once captured
the town by disguising his men as peasants on their way to
market. The Good Sunday Market is certainly worth a visit.
The train journey to Los Mochis is spectacular and while it may
be best done from Los Mochis to Chihuahua, due to the numerous
sites on the Los Mochis end, it is a must for any traveler
headed south through Mexico. The journey takes you across the
Sierra of the Tarahumara Indians who are famous for their
running abilities. In their native tongue, they are known as the
Raramuri which literally translated means "those who run fast."
If you are going from Chihuahua to Los Mochis try to sit on the
left side as the views out this side are best. Along the way,
you will pass over 39 bridges and 86 tunnels, which should give
you a fairly good idea about the terrain of this journey. If you
have the time get off at Divisadero Barrancas in what is known
in Mexico as the Urique Canyon and popularly in the US as the
Copper Canyon. Once you have traveled, there you will see why
many people believe it rivals the Grand Canyon. You can arrange
for trips into Copper Canyon and the serious adventurer will
want to do this.
The most spectacular part of the journey is between Creel and
Los Mochis. This is one reason for catching the earliest and
fastest train from Chihuahua. The 7:00 a.m. train known as
Servicio Estrella will get you into Los Mochis just after 7:00
p.m. so that, depending on the time of year, your entire journey
may be made in the light. Since the windows of the train do not
lower, you will want to stake out a place between the cars at
certain points along the trip to get the best photos.
Buen Viaje!