Sonora-Baja California Railway DVD

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Like a Pied Piper, diminutive but whistle-happy 0-6-0 #2 attracts a traffic jam along the parallel road between Empalme and Guaymas. Empalme Shops are viewed before surveying the FCP (SP of Mexico) north end to Nogales.

Independently operated until 1965, the Nacozari Railroad winds through the canyons until abruptly ending some distance north of town. Here, we circle the loop track at the modern Mexican Copper complex. Part of the route connecting the Nacozari line with existing FCP trackage was constructed in 1967.

Chanting in the 3 AM darkness at Benjamin Hill is a ghost from dieseldom's past -an FT! Light from the engine room streams through the group of four portholes. From the cab of #2203 hurtling down the well-maintained SBC, night yields to daylight, then sunrise on the vast Sonoran Desert. Trailing the FT are idle Alco #501 and a GE, which uncouples at Puerto Penasco in order to pinch hit for an ailing MLW (in BC Rail red, white & blue) on #3, which we overtake. Civilization gradually becomes evident as Mexicali, the end of the line, approaches.