This could be the average tourist's stereotype of a Mexican train--only a glance as it races along a flat, arid landscape; a small thing overwhelmed by vast distances and the immensity of its surroundings. Both México and its trains, however, present incredible variety to the careful observer. This series of photos by Chris M. Palmieri, depicts that variety as seen in northern México during 1995 and 1996. Here we concentrate, not on locomotives and their histories, but on trains and the country they serve.

This FNM train is southbound on January 8, 1996, just south of Lampazos de Naranjo, Nuevo León. The Mesa Cartujanos in the background is in the state of Coahuila.

For the next photo in this series, click here.

Photo © 1996 Chris M. Palmieri