Train to Los Mochis

The start to perhaps the most glorious train ride in North America, and certainly in all of Mexico, starts in the city of Chihuahua, which lies in the northern Mexico state that's its name sake. The city of Chihuahua is a pleasant town that lies at an elevation of approximately 4550 feet. The city is worth a visit if for no other reason than to catch the train to Los Mochis. However, you would be missing quite a lot if you did not allow yourself a few hours here. Since the train leaves from Chihuahua early in the morning, you might as well arrive mid-day before your travels and see what the city has to offer.

You might start your site seeing at one of the museums. The regional museum (Museo Regional, has exquisite fine art rooms. The child's room features scenes from Little Red Riding Hood, while the bathroom has frogs playing among reeds. On the art side, there is also the Museo de Arte Popular, which is worth a visit. If your tastes run more historical you might want to visit the former house of Benito Juarez which is now Museo de Casa de Juarez. If you feel the spirits of revolutionaries in Chihuahua, it is of little wonder as Pancho Villa once captured the town by disguising his men as peasants on their way to market. The Good Sunday Market is certainly worth a visit.

The train journey to Los Mochis is spectacular and while it may be best done from Los Mochis to Chihuahua, due to the numerous sites on the Los Mochis end, it is a must for any traveler headed south through Mexico. The journey takes you across the Sierra of the Tarahumara Indians who are famous for their running abilities. In their native tongue, they are known as the Raramuri which literally translated means "those who run fast."

If you are going from Chihuahua to Los Mochis try to sit on the left side as the views out this side are best. Along the way, you will pass over 39 bridges and 86 tunnels, which should give you a fairly good idea about the terrain of this journey. If you have the time get off at Divisadero Barrancas in what is known in Mexico as the Urique Canyon and popularly in the US as the Copper Canyon. Once you have traveled, there you will see why many people believe it rivals the Grand Canyon. You can arrange for trips into Copper Canyon and the serious adventurer will want to do this.

The most spectacular part of the journey is between Creel and Los Mochis. This is one reason for catching the earliest and fastest train from Chihuahua. The 7:00 a.m. train known as Servicio Estrella will get you into Los Mochis just after 7:00 p.m. so that, depending on the time of year, your entire journey may be made in the light. Since the windows of the train do not lower, you will want to stake out a place between the cars at certain points along the trip to get the best photos.

Buen Viaje!

David Westbrook is a freelance writer. For more great train info check out http://www.paulstrain.com and http://www.rtrain.com