Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Chihuahua-Pacific Railway, Mexico

on the stamp Chihuahua is the city in the middle of the 'fork'

The Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico (known as El Chepe from its reporting mark CHP) in northwest Mexico, was begun in 1928 but not completed until 1961 to link Chihuahua (city and region) to the city of Los Mochis, Sinaloa and its port Topolobampo. It runs 673 km (418 miles), in the process traversing the Barranca del Cobre a.k.a. Copper Canyon, a rugged and scenic series of canyons which makes it a draw for tourists.

The line passes over 37 bridges and through 86 tunnels, rising as high as 2,400 metres (7,900 ft) near Divisadero (the continental divide), a popular lookout spot over the canyons. The track also crosses over itself to gain elevation. Each one-way trip takes roughly 16 hours.

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