What a different picture! The date is July 2, 1995, among black pines near Sánchez, Chihuahua, in the Sierra Tarahumara. This FNM freight train descends a 2.5-percent grade, having just crested the 8,045-foot (2,452-meter) Los Ojitos summit, the highest point on the former Chihuahua al Pacífico. A few miles back over the summit is the full loop called "El Lazo," where the ascending track curves around to cross itself. Note the two broken concrete crossties and the new wooden ones in the track.

We will next see three very different passenger trains.

For the next photo in this series, click here.

Photo © 1995 Chris M. Palmieri