International Railroad Discussion > Mexican Adventure 2006

I got a call from a mechanical buddy that there was to be a train operating between Campo, CA and Tijuana, Mexico. The sponsoring group was interested in having some mechanical protection on-board due to constraints put forth by the customs folks who set up a special temporary border check for the trip and wanted the train to hit a certain return window. So off I flew from Buffalo, NY to Ontario, CA to meet up with my buddy Paul who was working for Union Pacific in mechanical department.

We then took the drive to San Diego and beyond to Campo and the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum. The trip had GP-9 #3873 and it seemed to be in great shape. So off we went into Mexico, through Tecate the Redondo Loops and eventually to the outskirts of Tijuana (at least I think that is where we were). Other than Tecate we were not allowed off the train. But it made for a great trip into another world, a world not advertised in travel posters. The poverty was just unreal and so too some of the smells.

So digging these out of long lost files - a little glimpse of the trip. Everything went well mechanically and we never got into any grease, oil or diesel. At the end of the trip the hosts gave us a steak dinner that was to die for. Sorry I don't remember specific names and details after all these years but a wonderful group with outstanding folks. Thanks for the opportunity and the steak dinner !

First three are just into Mexico heading towards Tecate.

According to my notes this trip was February 4, 2006.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/18 06:34 by train1275.

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Arrival at Tecate

Rendondo Loop with our pilot speeder leading the way

In the Loops - Scenery like something from the moon

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Many folks waving and an almost surreal view into the local poverty of the region east of Tijuana.

The Mexican flag flying high.

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Arrival back in Tecate - beer anyone ?

Our train with the trusty GP-9 flying both US and Mexican flags

The pilot speeder which on the return trip tailed us to the US border.

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Headed back towards the US after leaving Tecate and finally re-entering the US.

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The 3873 - back safe at Campo in the Good Ole USA !

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The GP-9 back in Campo.

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Muchas gracias por las fotos! I made the same trip in the other direction in 1988. We had a photo run-by at Valle Redondo as well as a stop at Tecate. Amusing with U.S. Customs- they met us at Campo and asked each passenger if they bought anything in Mexico- none of us did so Customs processed the train's passengers quickly.

Jeff Geldner
Sequoia National Park, CA

Probably a TUT tour. Chris ran several on that line. Sorry I never got to do one.

Great pictures and thread. Thanks for sharing it.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

It's the most spectacular unknown RR on the continent. Let's hope that Baja RR and the Campo museum folks can get excursions back to Tecate next year. There's a chance....

-john

These are fascinating photos, thanks or posting them!

jcaestecker Wrote:
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> It's the most spectacular unknown RR on the
> continent. Let's hope that Baja RR and the Campo
> museum folks can get excursions back to Tecate
> next year. There's a chance....

I'm in!