Copper Cayon Railway

One of the things that I definitely wanted to see in northern Mexico before making the long haul down to Mexico City was the Copper Canyon. The whole area is four times the size of the Grand Canyon, and in some places much deeper. One of the best ways to see the area is to take the Copper Canyon Railway that passes along part of the Copper Canyon and runs from the Pacific coast up through the scenic highlands of central Mexico.












Looking down the tracks at the El Fuerte railroad station












El Fuerte railroad station












Food shop across from the station












Rail yard parts stacked up












Cows near the rail station












Copper Canyon train












Inside the cars

I caught the most scenic part of the train ride between El Fuerte and Creel, which took about 9 hours on the second class train. It was a beautiful and relaxing ride, but there were plenty of delays along the way since our train took second priority to passing freight and first class passenger trains. The view from the air conditioned cars was excellent and views from the between the cars and the back of the train were even better.


















Hanging out between the cars
















Changing locomotives
















Picking up passengers along the way












Looking from the back of the train












Marker












Waiting for a train to pass















Along the way the train passed through a heavily indigenous part of Mexico where women and children were selling their crafts, mostly baskets and woven blankets. Although the train was delayed we still made it to the stop with the best view of the actual canyon right before sun had set. The view was hazy, but still very impressive.












Indigenous venders eager to sell their baskets and other goods











Baskets made by locals














Hazy view of the Copper Canyon

The train made it to Creel in the evening and there I met a lot of travelers who were staying in a nearby hostel, most of them planing to take the train going the opposite direction towards the coast. Creel seemed like a great town, but I didn't see much of it since I took the early bus to Chihuahua, then another bus to Mexico City the next day.












Going out in creel after the train ride












Railroad parts