Tren Escénico de Cuautla

[MTheStrong]

The Museum is located in the old station of Cuautla. The Station Building and some of the wagons are used as offices of the local authority! The line is built to 3ft gauge and was part of the Ferrocarril Interoceanico de México - Veracruz..

The Star attraction is Loco 279 - built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia for the National Railways of Mexico and commissioned in 1904. There is a great story about this loco. Some years ago it was due to be sent to the Main Railway workshops for repair. The locals, including the police prevented it being moved as they believed it was going to be scrapped. The upshot was that the main railway authorities "gifted" the loco to the town. The loco has been restored by enthusiasts along with a couple of coaches. They claim that it is the only working steam engine in Mexico. So here are photos of the loco:

 

[MTheStrong]

The Restored Carriages

 

[MTheStrong]

A wagon miscellany

 

[MTheStrong]

The Station and surrounds

 

[MTheStrong]

This was the most interesting of the 3 Railway Museums that I have visited in Mexico so far. It had a very distinct atmosphere. It must have been a fascinating place to visit in its heyday, Sadly most of the line has now been upgraded to standard gauge.

 

[dunnyrail]

This is a real gem, much of what you have photed would not look out of place running on the Cumbres n Toltec or the Durango n Silverton.