News Mexico

02.04.2024

Ferrocarril del Istmo de Tehuantepec (FIT)

At the end of March, another large delivery of used British HST vehicles arrived at the port of Coatzcoalco. It is unknown if they will only be used for the Coatzacoalcos – Salina Cruz services or for other services too.
(Source: FCNews 78)

19.02.2024

Ferrocarril del Istmo de Tehuantepec (FIT)

A further number of HST trains were sold from England to Mexico. There are at least 6 motor vehicles and 18 passenger cars. They were loaded onto a ship in Great Yarmouth harbor. However, since this ship is still picking up goods for Venezuela and Mexico in other ports in Europe, the transport will probably take a few more weeks. However, with this rolling stock, another 3 compositions can be formed, which will enable a more dense service on the Coatzacoalcos – Salina Cruz route.
(Source: FCNews 77)

28.01.2024

Ferrocarril del istmo de tehuantepec (FIT)

Now the timetable for the passenger trains on the railway line from Coatzacoalcos to Salina Cruz is finally known. Since December 23, 2023, the trains are running three times a week, alternating from Coatzacoalcos or Salina Cruz, starting at 07.00. The journey takes 7 ½ hours in both directions and the trains stop along the way are at Jáltipan de Morelos, Medias Aguas, Jesús Carranza, Donají, Mogoñé, Matías Romero, Chivela and Ixtepec. Trains are offering three classes: VIP, First and Second.
(Source: FCNews 76)

17.12.2023

Passengers

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador wants to reactivate various railway lines for passenger rail traffic by decree.
In addition to the existing routes with passenger or tourist traffic (México - Toluca; Chihuahua - Los Mochis, México - Lechería; Tijuana - Tecate and Tequila Express), a further seven lines are to be served again. These are:
Mexico – Veracruz – Coatzacoalcos
Pachuca – AIFA (Aeropuerto Internacional)
México – Querétaro – León – Aguascalientes
Manzanillo – Colima – Guadalajara – Irapuato
México – San Luis Potosí – Monterrey – Nuevo Laredo
México – Querétaro – Guadalajara – Mazatlán – Nogales
Aguascalientes – Chihuahua – Ciudad Juárez
In addition, there are the Coatzacoalcos – Medias Aguas – Salina Cruz and the Tren Maya routes on the Yucatán Peninsula, which are currently being prepared.
On the seven routes listed above, the existing freight concessionaires should have priority and only if they refuse to put the passenger trains into operation the state may step in. With this plan, Mexico would again be served by long-distance trains from Nogales/Ciudad Juárez/Nuevo Laredo in the north on the border with the USA to Coatzacoalcos on the Atlantic and Salina Cruz on the Pacific, which could play an important role, especially for tourism. In the USA, interest groups are already forming to establish a connection to the Amtrak routes at least from Nuevo Laredo across the border to Laredo and on to San Antonio. The government also makes clear that it want to help with the procurement of rolling-stock, for example by waiving import taxes. The railway companies have until December 31, 2024 to submit concrete plans and cost estimates.
(Source: FCNews 75)

Tren Maya

Since Saturday, December 16, 2023, one day after the opening ceremony, the Tren Maya is running as scheduled on the 466 km long, first route between San Francisco de Campeche - Teya Mérida - Cancún Aeropuerto, initially twice a day in each direction. 11 intermediate stations are served, including those previously served by the railway such as Hecelchakán, Izamal, Chichén Izá and Valladolid. However, for the city of Cancún and the state of Quintana Roo, this is the first ever standard gauge railway. The trains travel at an average speed of around 130 km/h. They leave Campeche and Cancún simultaneously at 07:00 and 11:00 and cross in Mérida at 09:36 and 13:36. The fares are slightly less than those of the buses, but the journey times are shorter than with the bus.
(Source: FCNews 75)

07.11.2023

Passengers

The IC125 train, purchased used in Great Britain, is being intensively tested on its future operational route. The composition was repainted and the interior was also renovated. According to reports from the British BBC, another composition is on its way from the port of Great Yarmouth to Mexico. At the same time, it was also reported that not all trains go to Mexico, some are also destined for Nigeria.
(Source: FCNews 74)

08.10.2023

Ciudad de Mexico - Toluca

On September 15, 2023, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador put the first section of what would later be the 58 km long electrified double-track line into operation. From 06.00 to 23.00 trains run every 15 minutes between the Zinacantepec, Toluca Centro, Metepec and Lerma stations. The journey time is around 20 minutes. Rides will be free until October 2023, after which a flat rate of MX$15.00 will apply. The stations at Santa Fe, Vasco de Quiroga and Observatorio (here with a connection to the metro) are scheduled to go into operation in March 2024. The president gave this railway the name “El Insurgente” (the insurgent).
(Source: FCNews 73)

Ferrocarril Istmo de Tehuantepec, FIT

Since the report in FCNews72, 11 HST coaches and three associated power cars have been unloaded at the port of Coatzacoalcos. Various sources say that even more HST rolling stock will arrive in the near future. From the USA, FIT received 2 diesel locomotives from Union Pacific, which will be used exclusively for passenger transport, together with a total of 12 cars, including 3 ex-Amtrak coaches of the Amfleet type. The Citylink type local railcar built by Stadler and previously used in Puebla also came to FIT.
On September 17, 2023, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador traveled the Salina Cruz – Coatzacoalcos route with a train of ex-UP locomotives and ex-Amtrak cars and declared it reopened. The railway crossings on the route were secured by the army with heavy weapons that day. The railcar, now known as FIT-1001, also travelled the 309 km long route. No exact date has been given for the start of regular passenger services, but according to various sources this should be before the end of 2023. Renovation work has not yet been completed at some of the 9 stations.
(Source: FCNews 73)

28.08.2023

Ciudad de México – Cuautitlán

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), a new rail company, has entered into a feasibility study contract with the Mexican government for the construction of a 150-mile passenger rail line from Ciudad de México to Querétaro. Several such plans existed in the past. This time, however, it's different as the railway company CPKC is already a concessionaire on the line. The operation is to be carried out similarly to the existing Ciudad de México - Cuautitlán suburban railway with electric railcars. The trains on this connection should help to reduce the many accidents and traffic jams on the main road between the two cities.
(Source: FCNews 72)

Ciudad de México – Toluca

In autumn 2023, the 58 km long new electrified high-speed railway from Ciudad de México - Toluca will be put into operation. However, this will only be a provisional start-up and only some of the stations will then already be available. However, the government states March 2024 as the definitive start-up date.
(Source: FCNews 72)

Ciudad de México – Lechería – Aeropuerto Internacional Felipe Angeles

With financial assistance from the National Bank for Works and Services (Banobras), construction works are continuing on the 23 km new railway line from Lechería to Felipe Angeles International Airport. Construction began some time ago with a first federal loan. The new route is an extension of the existing Ciudad de México – Lechería suburban railway. The funds available are 5 billion. Pesos.
(Source: FCNews 72)

Tren Maya

The standard gauge railway network currently under construction on the Yucatán Peninsula, which will serve freight and passenger traffic, has received the first 4 passenger vehicles. Alstom in Sahagún builds 31 trains of the type X'trapolis, which are called Xiinbal in Yucatán. These trains will handle regional traffic. For long-distance and express traffic, 3 trains of the P'atal type will be built, which will also have sleeping compartments and will thus form night trains. 8 other compositions are built as "Restaurant Special" trains, used exclusively in tourist traffic.
(Source: FCNews 72)

Ferrocarril Istmo de Tehuantepec, FIT

The state-owned FIT, which operates the rail routes from Coatzacoalcos to Merida and across the Isthmus and to Ciudad Hidalgo on the border with Guatemala, has bought used HST trains in the UK. The trains are on a ship that is currently on its way to Mexico. As the FIT announces, in addition to freight trains, it also wants to operate passenger trains.
(Source: FCNews 72)

27.12.2022

Really in 2023?

The 58 km long new railway Ciudad de México – Toluca is still under construction. In 2013 around MX$39Bi. were calculated for this, in the meantime around MX105Bi. are spent and around 60% of the line are operational, with the remaining 40% a little over 60% complete. The tunnels and bridges areall complete. The opening was planned for 2017! Much moreadvanced is the work on the around 1500 km long network of the so-called Tren Maya in Yucatán, whose lines will connect the regional capital Mérida with various cities and tourist centers on the east coast of the peninsula. Only recently the last plots of land in Quintana Roo were expropriated and handed over to construction. Here, too, the costs were already drastically exceeded, despite the rapidly progressing work. But unlike the express train to Toluca, the Tren Maya does not see this as dramatic, since this network will be used for passenger and freight traffic as well and will therefore be able to amortize its costs better. President André Manuel López Obrador has now announced that he will release the funds for both railway constructions in order to put the Ciudad de México - Toluca connection into operation in December 2023 and immediately afterwards also the Tren Maya.
(Source: FCNews 67)

23.07.2022

Puebla - Cholula

The light rail system from Puebla to Cholula, which was mainly used for tourism, was first shut down due to the pandemic and then due to lack of funds. Now they are looking for a new operator, and there are some business people showing interest.
(Source: Volta o Trem 26-2)

26.04.2022

Ciudad Hidalgo - Tecún Umán

Early April construction of the freight railway started over the border from Ciudad Hidalgo (MX) to Tecún Umán (GU). It is the Mexican firm Remed which will invest at all US$700mio. The sum includes also the section further to Puerto Quetzal, at all 235 km.
(Source: Volta o Trem 26-1)

Buena Vista - Airport Felipe Ángeles

The new suburban train line to Felipe Ángeles International Airport is under construction. The terminal station at the airport was 90% complete in March 2022, but of the 24 km long route, first work has only started on 16 km and 2.7 km of rails will soon be laid. Like the existing S-Bahn, the line will run to Buenavista station.
(Source: Volta o Trem 26-1)

Ciudad de México - Toluca

Of the 57,8 km long interurban railway, 42,1 km have finally been completed. Work has again started on the last 15,6 km into Ciudad de México including the 4,7 km long double tube tunnel under Sierra de la Cruces and according to the federal government the line should be put in operation at the end of 2023. Initially opening of the line was planned for early 2017.
(Source: Volta o Trem 26-1)

12.07.2020

Chihuahua - Los Mochis

The tourist train Chepe resumed on 17 July, daily between Chihuahua and Los Mochis and under strict hygienic rules. Due to Covid-19, operation of the local train, serving rural communities, was back since 21 March 2020, but only on some sections of the line.
(Source: Volta o Trem 24-5)

28.03.2020

Corona Update

The Suburban train out of Mexico City operates normally. All tourist trains are cancelled. El Chepe between Chihuahua and Los Mochis runs twice weekly only offering second class and for local residents only.
(Source: Volta o Trem 24-2)

04.01.2020

Ciudad de México – Toluca

After nearly one year of inactivity Construction works resumed on the 56 km long interurban passenger line Mexico City - Toluca. With the help of the private sector the line should now open end 2020 or early in 2021.
(Source: Volta o Trem 24-1)

31.12.2019

Ciudad de México – Toluca

After a year without any registered activities, work has resumed on the 56 km long new passenger line linking Ciudad de México and Toluca. The privat sector is now involved, too, and it is hoped this will allow the line to open at the end of 2020 or early 2021.
(Source: Fahrplancenter/Volta o Trem)

10.07.2019

Ciudad de México – Toluca

Construction of the new suburban railway linking Ciudad de México and Toluca will definitely cost 100% more than originally budgeted, but the government has now released the required funds. Completion of work is now expected for the end of 2020. Only section number 3 between Santa Fe and the Observatorio terminus (where a connection with the subway of Ciudad de México will be established) is the missing piece of the project.
(Source: t21.com.mx)

Freight traffic

The uncertainty in terms of the relationship with the northern neighbour USA is increasing with exports slowing down. This led to a slump of international freight traffic. Mexican freight railways try to compensate this with increased domestic transports. So far, the only minor success has been achieved on the Ciudad de México to Coatzacoalcos route.
(Source: t21.com.mx)

21.01.2019

Ciudad de México – Toluca

The construction of the high-speed line Ciudad de México – Toluca will suffer a further delay of at least one year. The section comprising the urban area of Ciudad de Méxcico is only about 60 per cent complete. There is a variety of reasons for this: alteration of plans, appeals and problems with the construcion of the tunnel through the Sierra de las Cruces. In addition, the construction sites in the areas of the Lerma and Santa Fe stations have been devastated by vandals several times.
(Source: Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes; various local newspapers)

10.09.2018

México – Toluca

Delays on the construction of the new suburban Railway Ciudad de México – Toluca prevent its inauguration end 2018. Public services may now start mid or end 2019.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-8)

10.05.2018

No Passenger Trains yet

The National Agency for Rail Transport Regulation don’t sees the priority to operate passenger trains over the lines of the state owned Ferrocarril del Istmo de Tehuantepec. The lines must first be improved to increase monthly tonnage over the existing 50‘000 tonnes and after that it would be possible to talk about passenger trains. The concession of the railway inc-ludes passenger and freight transport. Passenger trains ar-ound the big cities of the country are a priority, so the agency.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-5)

11.02.2018

Blocked Railway Lines

Dairy farmers blocked Railway lines in Northern Mexico and protesting teachers blocked several lines in Central Mexico. Both caused serious damage to the national economy.
(Source: Volta o Trem 22-2)

08.01.2018

Reopening of unused railway lines

The Mexican government envisages reopening of as many lines as possible among the currently unused or closed railway lines in the country, totalling a length of 3525 km. The preference lies with those sections that can be refurbished without major difficulties. One of the lines in question is the Mérida – Progreso section which was closed when the rail link to the port was severed. Some 90 per cent of the track will be rehabilitated and reopened to traffic as it runs past the special economic area in the outskirts of Progreso.
The Naucalpan – Azcapotzalco line in the metropolitan area of Ciudad de México, however, has been pressed hard by new housing developments which impede passage of heavy freight trains. A study has shown that this line would be suitable for a LRT or tramway style operation.
The government has now asked all concessionaires to report all unused railway lines until mid-2018 and to return them to the government. The lines will then be passed on to the ARTF (Agencia Reguladora del Transporte Ferroviario/Regulating body for railways) for administration. Following this, the ARTF will work out a concept of use for each line, and the lines will then be concessioned accordingly.
(Source: t21.mx)

Construction of a Railway line to Port of Acapulco

The port of Acapulco shows a growing economic importance, but it is, however, one of the few ports in the country without a rail link. The government is now assessing a variety of projects for the construction of a railway line to Acapulco, some of them almost 100 years old, for their feasability. The port of Acapulco generates about 27 per cent of the economic output of Guerrero state.
(Source: t21.mx)

Infrastructure

According to news from the Secretary for Transport and Communication SCT, the new railway line México – Toluca is now 70 per cent complete, and test runs will be extended in the coming months over further sections of the 58 km long line towards the capital of the country. It is expected that test runs can be carried out over the entire length from mid-2018 and that the line can open to traffic around the end of 2018 once all snagging work is complete.
The new line 3 of the Tren Ligero de Guadalajara is now 92 per cent complete. Test runs will be carried out in the first three months of 2018 over the 21 km long line, serving 18 stations. Revenue service is expected to start mid-2018 at the latest.
Line 3 of the Monterrey metro has been reported as 85 per cent complete at the end of 2017. Operations on the 7,5 km long line are expected to start at the end of 2018 at the latest.
At the end of 2017, the federal government has allocated funds to the Ciudad de México local governement which are to be used for the detail planning of the metro line Pantitlán – La Paz to Chalco. This planning work will happen in 2018.
(Source: t21.mx)

23.10.2017

Ciudad de México - Veracruz

The government presented a project for a tourist oriented passenger train between Cuidad de México and Veracruz. The plan envisages an investment of nearly US$ 100million and the train may start in 2019.
(Source: Volta o Trem 21-8)

03.10.2017

Infrastructure

The heavy earthquakes and heavy rainfall in some regions of the country had and impact on rail traffic. Rain led to disruption on the Nuevo Laredo – Ciudad de México main line, in particular on northern sections. However, after a few days freight traffic could resume.
Earthquakes temporarily halted underground and suburban traffic in and around Ciudad de México, but after a few hours and thorough checks, all lines could be re-opened. Only the southernmost section of the suburban line México Buenavista to Cuatitlán remained closed for almost 12 hours after the first earthquake as some buildings close to the railway perimeter had to be secured.
The Ferrocarril del Istmo de Tehuantepec FIT was hit the hardest between Matías Romero and Ixtepec. Earthquakes debilitated the track, and the coinciding heavy rainfall led to scouring at some spots. The Matías Romero railway station suffered severe damage, and the station building will remain out of use for an extended period of time. Two weeks after the heavy earthquake off the Pacific coast, trains with aid goods were able to run as far as Juchitán, and repair work on three severely damaged sections south of Ixtepec had been completed by railway staff in cooperation with civil protection.
(Source: t21.mx)

Guadalajara

The urban railway of Guadalajara began operating the first unit of a fleet of 12 new 2-car trains in September 2017. Delivery of further units is currently under way, and the last of the trains, built by Bombardier at Ciudad Sahagún (Hidalgo state, México), is expected to enter service in November 2017.
(Source: t21.mx)

07.07.2017

Avoiding line Celaya

Ferromex has been issued an extension of its freight traffic concession by the Secretary of Transport, in exchange for agreeing to build a 25 km long avoiding line around the city of Celaya. As it transpired at the end of April 2017, 17,5 km of this new line have already been completed, with the remaining 7,5 km in a widely progressed state. At a later stage, a new branch line to the local airport will have its junction at kilometre post 24,68 of the avoiding line. The new line will alleviate traffic pressure in Celaya city centre because frequent shunts take place there leading to lengthy disruption on many streets as long as the old line is in traffic.
(Source: t21.mx)

Zinacantepec - Pino Suárez

On 12th June 2017, the first test runs started between Zinacantepec and Pino Suárez, which is the western end of the new railway line Mexico City – Toluca. One of the new CAF electric trains, delivered in January 2017, was used for this. In the initial phase, those runs took place at very low speed, but they will now gradually be accelerated. The aforementioned section is the first with fully functional infrastructure, signalling and electrification. The test runs will also be used for staff training purposes of all grades involved in operations.
(Source: Revista Noticias)

22.02.2017

Puebla - Cholula

January 23, 2017 the governor of Puebla inaugurated the 17,2 Tram-Train line Puebla–Cholula. The two diesel railcars have been acquired from León (Spain) and regauged from 1000 mm to 1435 mm. They are running from a completely new station close to the Puebla Railway Museum through the streets of the city and then over a rebuilt section of the Railway line to Cholula. At Cholula a new station has been built at the site of the old one. The traffic operates for social and touristic purposes and for this reason different fares apply. Monday to Friday there are 3 round-trips, Saturday and Sunday there are four. The intermediate stations at Mercado Hidalgo and Santiago de Momoxpán have not yet been opened and at a later date the line should be extended by another 33 km to Atlixco.
(Source: Volta o Trem 21-1)

31.12.2016

Avoiding line at Monterrey

Construction of an avoiding line for freight trains has begun at Monterrey. Once completed, the current track alignment will be made available to the city for the expansion of the urban (public transport) rail system.
(Source: Mexlist)

Avoiding line at Celaya

Also at Celaya, an avoiding line is under construction. Allegedly, too many goods were stolen from trains when they passed the urban perimeter. As at Monterrey, these works are in great part funded by the state.
(Source: Ferromex)

Guadalajara – Manzanillo

Ferromex plan to close its 355 km-long Guadalajara – Manzanillo line, as the 500 containers per month carried on behalf of Maersk are not sufficient to make operation of the line economically viable. There is a potential of other freight (petroleum products from Pemex, construction material, agricultural products), but they are not using the rail mode.
(Source: Ferromex, various local newspapers)

Tequila Express

Ferromex have completed refurbishment of its „Tequila Express“ tourist train; this included repainting of locomotives in two shades of grey. It is expected that the train will run again regularly within the next few months, although no exact starting date has been given as yet.
The locomotives of the Chepe (Chihuahua – Los Mochis) have been repainted in the same manner.
As Ferromex informs, operation of its passenger trains between Chihuahua and Los Mochis suffers frequent disruption on the Creel – Chihuahua section due to civil unrest in the Chihuahua and Cuauhtémoc regions. Passengers will travel on bus substitution services, provided the roads are not blocked.
(Source: Ferromex; Tequila Express)

30.09.2016

Mexiko DF - Toluca

According to Mexican press reports from August 2016, 33,1% of the infrastructure of the 58 km long new railway line Mexico DF - Toluca have been completed with work progressing as planned. The first 5-car trains of the fleet (30 trains) are also under construction. Pillars have been erected on long stretches of the future alignment, as the railway will partly be built on viaducts. On the other hand, costs have virtually exploded from MX$ 7,112 billion to MX$ 17,84 billion, but the Finance Ministry has approved additional funding to cover the costs.
The project now includes a direct link to Toluca airport at Tecnológico station, for which the trains will feature storage room for luggage. This should make it possible for air passengers to check-in directly at the railway stations. Operation of the line should start in April 2018. Standard frequency will be a train every 10 minutes, increased to 2.5 minutes with double units during peak periods. Daily capacity is expected to be 230'000 passengers.

(Source: T21MX)

31.12.2015

Ciudad Hidalgo - Tecún Umán

With help from Mexico, reconstruction of the cross-border line from Ciudad Hidalgo (Mexico) to Tecún Umán (Guatemala) has started. As in the past, the 1,3 km long section will be fitted with two track gauges (1435 mm and 914 mm). The main purpose is to establish connection to a petroleum deposit operated by Pemex in Guatemala, but it is intended that general freight traffic including exportations from Guatemala will also use the line. The line has been closed since 2005 after being destroyed by the impact of hurrican “Stan”.
According to sources in Guatemala, the government is planning to extend and rebuild the line to the outskirts of the capital, Ciudad de Guatemala, in order to revert freight traffic back to the rail mode. Funding for this has, however, not yet been secured.
(Source: El Periódico)

25.10.2015

Tequila Express

Ferromex suspended the Tourist Train Tequila Express between Guadalajara and Amatitán for an undefined period to refurbish the coaches. In the meantime a bus company is operating a Tequila-Express with road coaches.
(Source: Volta o Trem 19-8)

22.09.2015

New Station in Tijuana

A new station has been built at Tijuana, very close to the border crossing to San Ysidro/San Diego. The station may be used by the tourist train to Tecate and the future local train services in the region.
(Source: Volta o Trem 19-7)

10.04.2015

EMD SD70ACe

Ferromex acquired another 19 diesel locomotives of the EMD SD70ACe type, which brings this now to 116 of 4300 hp locomotives in service. Ferrosur SA acquired also 15 locomotives of this class, which means that Ferrosur operates EMD locomotives for the first time.
(Source: Volta o Trem 19-4)

31.03.2015

Stop of Work Ciudad de México – Toluca

Protests have halted construction of the Ciudad de Méxcio – Toluca railway line. The protest groups blame the government of corruption and demand a repetition of the tendering process for this project. A partial re-alignment of the planned line has also been requested. The Secretary for Transport of the federal government has then dictated a stop of all work until further notice.
(Source: Various sources incl. Sin Embargo)

New Bridge between USA and Mexico

On 31st March 2015, the seventh railway bridge (and the first after 106 years!) between the USA and Mexico was openend. The bridge carries a new railway line from Brownsville (USA) to Matamoros (Mexico) and connects the network of Union Pacific in the USA to the one of Kansas City Southern of Mexico. This crossing of the Rio Grande river is located about 23 km upstream from Brownsville. Some US$ 40 Mio were spent in the USA and another US$ 80 Mio in Mexico for construction of the bridge and access lines. At Brownsville, the new track alignment allowed for the removal of tracks in the city streets.
(Source: The Monitor)

25.03.2015

Tren Turístico Tijuana Tecate

The Tijuana Tecate Tourist Train is running again, about once monthly, dates are published at very short notice. The trip includes a two hour journey to Tecate, visit of brewery, meals and music and a 2 hour journey back to Tijuana.
(Source: Volta o Trem 19-3)

20.01.2015

Ciudad de México – Toluca

Thales will plan and build the signal systems of the new Mexcio City – Toluca railway.
(Source: Volta o Trem 19-1)

11.01.2015

Readvertisement of high-speed link Ciudad de México – Querétaro

The construction of the new high-speed link Ciudad de México – Querétaro which was postponed following corruption suspicions, will be re-advertised on 14th January 2015. The expected amount of investment is USD 3,5 billion.
(Source: Revista Ferroviária)

Ciudad Hidalgo - Tecún Umán

México and Guatemala have agreed to re-build the railway line from Ciudad Hidalgo (Mexico) and Tecún Umán (Guatemala). The river bridge across the border was destroyed by a hurricane a few years ago and no action has been taken ever since. There is a strong interest in Guatemala to re-open the line as that country imports petrol products from Mexico via Tecún Umán which creates an important demand for transport. On the Mexican side, the already re-built line from Ixtepec and Tapachula leads close to Ciudad Hidalgo; only a few kilometres of track and the bridge have to be re-built.
(Source: Prensa Libre)

20.12.2014

Ciudad de México – Toluca

December 20, 2014 was the first day of construction of the third and last section of the new passenger railway Ciudad de México – Toluca. This section will be built completely as an elevated railway between the metro station Observatorio and La Marquesa and may be completed within 730 days.
(Source: Volta o Trem 18-9)

10.10.2014

Diesel Locomotives SD70Ace ordered

The railway companies Ferromex and Ferrosur have placed a joint order with EMD in the United States for 34 diesel locomotives of the SD70Ace class. Ferromex will get 19 locomotives, and this represents already the third batch of engines from EMD to that operator. Ferrosur will receive the remaining 15 new locomotives, but in this case these will be the first EMD engines as Ferrosur only operated locomotives from General Electric. Both railways have contracted the manufacturer for the maintenance with a duration of 11 years. Delivery is expected to start from June 2015, and the locomotives will meet the most recent emission standards applicable in the United States from 01 January 2015, although Mexico applies these standards to road vehicles only.
(Source: Railwayage)

Ferrocarril Tijuana & Tecate is under modernisation

The Ferrocarril Tijuana & Tecate FCT & T in the far northwest of Mexico is currently under modernisation. A stretch of 2,5 km will be completely relaid, and on an other 30 km a number of 60'000 new sleepers will be fitted. The last bits of 100 years old rails will also be replaced. The El Matucano bridge and tunnel no. 3 will both be fully refurbished. Tijuana railway station will be extended with 4 additional tracks and a transfer and storage shed will be built at Garcia station. Volume of investment by FCT&T is about MX$ 200 Mio.
(Source: Frontera Info)

Infrastructurprojects in Baja California

The Governor of the Baja California state, Francisco Vega de la Madrid, has contacted the government of South Korea as well as major firms of that Asian country in order to attract investors for infrastructure projects in his state. The focus is on railway construction. Items on the list of projects are the re-introduction of passenger trains between Tijuana and Tecate, the construction of a railway line from Tecate to Ensenada for passenger trains to the new airport at Ensenada, but also to connect the new port of El Sauzal. Apart of this, a few road projects and improvements of water and power supply in the region are also part of the scheme. The governor hopes to create some 47'000 jobs with these projects.
(Source: Frontera Info)

05.04.2014

Ocoyoacac - Cuajimalpa

The Mexican Secretary for Communication and Transport invited Tenders for construction of the 4,6 km long tunnel between Ocoyoacac and Cuajimalpa early April 2014. The planned passenger train line México City – Toluca will pass through this tunnel. Earlier on construction of the 36 km long section from Zinacantepec (in Toluca) to the tunnel was called for tenders and the remaining section of 18 km from the tunnel to the Observatório station at México City will follow soon. The entire line follows mostly the existing line but will be doble tracked and electrified. Four intermediate stations will be built and opening is planned for 2017.
(Source: Volta o Trem 14-3)

27.03.2014

Infrastructure

The House of Representatives of the mexican parliament has passed a law which changes the concessions of the private railway operators in Mexico. The law intends to establish a cap to track access fees and to guarantee open access to any train operator. Also, the private freight train operators should not be able to block the introduction of passenger trains (whether state-run or private) on the lines concessioned to them. The new law, which has the support of state president Nieto, is being strongly opposed by the two major, US-dominated railway companies Ferromex and KCSM because both of them have invested huge sums in the improvement of their respective trunk lines; they also have almost a monopoly for freight transport in the areas served. The two companies are currently lobbying the Senate and try to convince the members of the upper house to not pass the law or at least introduce major changes in it. At this moment, the outcome is still open.
(Source: Various newspapers and The Economist)

01.03.2014

Ciudad de México - Querétaro

The new passenger rail line from Ciudad de México to Querétaro may be built for a maximum speed of 300 km/h. The governments plan indicates a journey of 63 minutes for the more than 200 km long line. To speed up the project the city of Querétaro may get first a station in the Eastern outskirts, follwed later by another more centrally located station. The estimated number of daily passengers may reach 11'200. Against first plans no intermediate stations may be built.
(Source: Volta o Trem 14-2)

06.02.2014

México – Toluca

Construction of the electric suburban railway from Ciudad de México to Toluca may be announced soon. The line may be suitable for speeds up to 160 km/h and the rolling-stock may be able to run also on tracks of the underground railway in the capital. In a second phase building of Merida-Cancún railway may be called for tender.
(Source: Volta o Trem 14-1)

13.01.2014

Infrastructure

The devastating rainfall at the Gulf coast, caused by the tropical storm „Ingrid“ in mid-September 2013, and hurricane „Manuel“ at the Pacific coast didn't just distroy many important road connections but also affected the railway network. First-hand information told that the line Morelia – Lázaro Cárdenas of KCSM, which usually sees some 10 to 12 freight trains per day, was washed out or disrupted by landslides at over 20 locations. Repair work started immediately, and traffic slowly resumed.
The line Guadalajara – Manzanillo was heavily damaged near Sayula by flooding.
The Ferromex line Monterrey – Tampico was destroyed near Atenquique by landslides. Ferromex could, however, assure that the „Chepe“ passenger train between Chihuahua and Los Mochis wasn't cancelled at any time, although there was heavy rainfall in the Los Mochis area.

For the first time in many years, repair work is carried out on the freight line Coatzacoalcos – Mérida, as freight trains derailed on multiple occasions, particularly in the Mérida area. A major quantity of sleepers and rails has been delivered to Campeche (173 km from Mérida). These track materials will be used first for the repair of the Mérida – Campeche section, followed by sections of line westbound to Tenosique. It is hoped that those repairs will contribute to considerably increase freight tonnage from and to Yucatán and make the line attractive enough to be concessioned again.
During 2013, the government has repaired the railway line through Chiapas state from Ixtepec to Tapachula on its full length. It had been destroyed by Hurricane „Stan“ some years ago at several places. At this occasion, an avoiding line around the city of Tapachula has been built, eliminating the crossing of the city centre which partially was in tramway style. The new line will also connect to an upgraded port between Tapachula and Ciudad Hidalgo. Freight traffic to Ciudad Hidalgo near the border with Guatemala will also be possible. The mexican petrol firm Pemex even requests the reconstruction of the track to the storage tanks in Tecún Umán, already in Guatemala. That facility used to be a freight customer in the past and was the reason for the double-gauge track across the international bridge. However, no negotiations between the two countries about the matter have taken place yet. It would be necessary to build a new bridge across the river which forms the border, as the old one was damaged too much by the hurricane.
(Source: Fahrplancenter)

Long-distance passenger trains again?

More and more details are being revealed by the state president Enrique Peña Nieto about his plans to build new passenger lines. In November 2013 it was announced that a maximum of 100 billion mexican Pesos would be spent. The focus is now on three lines, as opposed to plans of former governments.
Ciudad de México – Querétaro, 235 km: this will be a newly built line, as the freight concessionaire KCSdeM „won't tolerate any passenger trains“ on its line, according to declarations from the executive level of that railway operator. Maximum line speed will be 240 kph – the only high-speed line of the three planned, and a daily number of 12'000 passengers is expected. The trains will use the existing suburban line from the Central Station to Huehuetoca (44 km) and then use the new line. At a later stage, the line could be extended towards the north and the northwest which proves that projects for passenger train lines to Guadalajara and San Luís Potosí are not entirely forgotten and ruled out.
Ciudad de México – Toluca, 75 km: This line will partly use the existing but unused line linking the two cities (again KCSdeM being the concessionaire). It will rather be suburban-style and be operated with electric trainsets able to use the metro network of the capital city. Trains would therefore start at the Metro station „Observatorio“ and not at the central station. Frequent trains should carry some 250'000 passengers daily.
There have already been numerous calls in the past to build the third line which will connect Mérida and Cancún, about 325 km apart. Maximum speed will be just 160 kph as the line will also be available to freight trains. The existing line from Mérida to Valladolid will be used for the first 160 km; that section will be integrally relaid and partially re-aligned. At present, freight trains are running to Valladolid, carrying mainly liquid fuels, but the cement manufacturer CEMEX is planning to build a cement factory at the line. On top of it, the new line will also facilitate transport of agricultural products and generally impulse agriculture. The line will, therefore, have an importance which stretches far beyond local transport and tourism.
(Source: Fahrplancenter)

23.09.2013

Long-distance traffic

During a public meeting about communication and transport which took place at the end of June, state president Enrique Peña Nieto declared that it is the duty of the state to improve the transport infrastructure. The government will provide funding to the tune of 310 Billion Pesos, still in 2013, to upgrade ports and construction of long-distance passenger lines.
The ports of Lázaro Cárdenas, Manzanillo and Veracruz, all served by railway lines, will be integrally upgraded and their handling capacity increased.
The government then urges construction of three passenger railway lines:
Ciudad de México – Querétaro, by upgrading the existing tracks
Ciudad de México – Toluca, by partly upgrading the existing line and partly rebuilding it on a new alignment.
Tren Transpeninsular Yucatán – Quintana Roo, from Mérida to Chetumal and Cancún, newly built line. The detail project of this line was to be published in July 2013, however, opposition against this project is particularly strong among the population of Mérida.
(Source: dif. Mexican Newspapers)

Infrastructure

Interest in the Central American countries for the Feristsa project has grown after freight traffic resumed between Ixtepec and Tapachula. Guatemala announced that it would promote the project of a rail link between Mexico and Panamá along with the Spanish state railway Renfe. A number of private Spanish firms also expressed their interest in the matter.
(Source: dif. Mexican Newspapers; La Nación (Honduras))

25.08.2013

Ixtepec und Tapachula

The Ixtepec – Tapachula line has been reopenend through-out for freight traffic.
(Source: Volta o Trem 17-4)

17.01.2013

Freight traffic

The reconstruction of the Ixtepec – Tapachula line in the federal state of Chiapas is finally making good progress. That line and most of its numerous bridges were destroyed by hurricane “Stan” in 2005. Freight trains are running over almost the full length of the line, and there are sections which see 3 trains per week and direction. In Tapachula, the line will be built on an entirely new alignment and will reach the city from the south instead from the west as originally. A new bridge across Rio Coatán is already in place, but problems with land expropriations caused delays to the construction of the accesses to the new bridge.
The reconstruction of the line will also help to expand the Pacific port of Puerto Chiapas/Puerto Madero near Tapachula.
Freight trains of the Tapachula – Ixtepec line are heavily frequented by migrant workers travelling from their homes in Central America to North America. Assaults on those “passengers” are almost the order of the day.
(Source: Fahrplancenter)

23.12.2012

Coatzcoalcos - Mérida

According to local newspapers State president Calderón, at the end of its term, wanted to dismantle the Coatzacoalcos – Mérida line and stopped rehabilitation of the Mérida – Progreso line, because of the rundown infrastructure and the low traffic density. But dismantling took not place. Until the end of 2012 the lines to Yucatán and Tapachula may get a new operator, currently FerroSur is operating the lines on behalf of state-owned Ferrocarril del Istmo de Tehuantepec FIT. Currently freight trains operate 2 to 3 times per week between Ixtepec and Tapachula; about weekly Veracruz - Coatzacoalcos and Coatzacoalcos – Mérida, with some others on shorter sections and nearly daily between Mérida and Valladolid. Petroleum products and cement are the main comodities on the branch line to Valladolid.
Newly elected president Nieto has another railway policy. He asked the state secretary for transport SCT to invite bids for concessions for the following passenger train operations: México – Querétaro using the existing line, no TGV-Project; México – Toluca; a new line from Yucatán to Quintana Roo state, and expansion of the urban railways of Guadalajara and Monterrey.

(Source: Volta o Trem 16-8)

12.10.2012

Tarahumara/Chepe

The local train Tarahumara is no longer running. To replace this service tourist train Chepe has now second class coaches attached four times a week.
(Source: Volta o Trem 16-6)

Mérida – Progreso

The freight only line Mérida – Progreso is currently under-going some refurbishment.
(Source: Volta o Trem 16-6)

02.09.2012

Ciudad de México

The Metro of Ciudad de México will start services on the first section of Line 12 from Tlahuac to Atlalilco at the end of August 2012. The inhabitants of the city could use the line since July 2012 free of cost on weekends as a preliminary operation.
The continuation of Line 12 from Atlalilco to Mixcoac should be open for traffic in November 2012.
(Source: Fahrplancenter correspondents)

Quintana Roo

The federal state Quintana Roo has resumed its project of rail-based regional traffic and has reached an agreement with spanish rail operator FEVE about the detailed planning. It is envisaged to build a low-cost „Tram-Train“ linking the cities of Cancún, Cozumel, Solidaridad, Benito Juárez, Isla Mujeres and Tulum and also providing local traffic within those cities. The region at the Quintana Roo coast is one of the most important tourist destination of México with an advanced degree of modernisation. A solution of transport problems for tourists and local people is therefore crucial.
(Source: Fahrplancenter correspondents)

Passenger traffic

The new state president Enrique Peña Nieto has addressed the issue of long distance passenger traffic after his election to the supreme post. He suggests to reduce the project of a high-speed railway line Ciudad de México – Guadalajara to a line Ciudad de México – Querétaro and to postpone the continuation to Guadalajara to a later stage. With this, provision of funding for the high-speed rail scheme should be easier, Mr. Peña Nieto said.
(Source: Fahrplancenter correspondents)