Choo-chooing through
Copper Canyon

We had heard rumors about a passenger train that wound its way through Copper Canyon in Northern Mexico for years. Some accounts suggested the train no longer operated, but others hinted that it was choo-chooing along on a regular basis.

RC is here to tell you that the train ride is long (it took us 11 hours to travel from Los Mochis to Creel, even though the schedule suggested it was an 8 hour trip), but well worth the ride for his human companions.

There are few passenger trains still operating in Mexico. When we asked about traveling with RC on the Vera Cruz-Mexico City train, the conductor was unequivocal that no pets were allowed. We decided to see if this policy was applied as firmly for the Copper Canyon train.

The travel agent called the Chihuahua-Pacifico (Chepe) train station in Los Mochis to inquire. The train representative said that if the train wasn't too full that it shouldn't be a problem, but he wouldn't give a firm answer. We were traveling during low season so our hopes were high. We decided to buy our tickets the morning of departure.

We arrived at the station at 5 AM when the ticket office was suppose to open ... they didn't open for business until almost 5:30. When I informed the clerk of our desire to travel with RC, I had his travel case in front of me so he could work his magic ... she smiled when she spotted him and said that RC would be welcome aboard.

This was RC's first train ride, but not his last. The clanking of the tracks is just the ticket to lull him to sleep ... he spent almost the entire trip snoozing.

His traveling case didn't fit under the seat, but there was ample room to set it on the floor and still have room for our feet. Indeed, this train has the most comfortable seats ... deeply cushioned ... broad with plenty of wiggle room. If the scenery outside the window wasn't so breathtaking, I suspect RC would have had 2 sleeping companions during the trip.