Mexicali (train)

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Mexicali (train)

The Mexicali, nicknamed the Burro, was a long-distance passenger train in Mexico running between Guadalajara and Mexicali. It was operated in two parts: Ferrocarril Sonora–Baja California ran the Mexicali to Benjamín Hill segment, and Ferrocarril del Pacífico ran Benjamín Hill to Guadalajara. The service is now closed.

Route and length: The full trip covered about 2,145 km (1,333 miles) and had 56 stops, taking around 44 hours in total.

History and purpose: The line served nearby villages that relied on railway stops for food and commerce; after passenger service ended and privatization occurred, many towns along the route were left largely deserted.

Service pattern: On the Guadalajara–Benjamín Hill leg, the journey took about two days. At Benjamín Hill, the train split: El Costeño continued to Nogales, while the main Mexicali–Guadalajara portion continued to Mexicali.

Rolling stock: From the 1970s, locomotives were EMD GP40-2. A typical consist included 10 coaches, 1 lounge car, and 2 sleeping cars (for the Mexicali–Mexico City and Mexicali–Guadalajara segments).

See also: Rail transport in Mexico; Ferrocarril del Pacífico; Ferrocarril Sonora–Baja California; El Costeño.