A Train Trip to Remember

El Chepe is said to be one of the most famous train rides in the world - 17 cars long with 4 economy cars, 3 executive cars and 2 first class cars, it travels the corridor from the coastal city of Los Mochis in Mexico to an altitude of 7800 feet at Creel.  The train travels along the Sierra Madre Mountains and took over 90 years to build and over 90 million dollars going through 87 tunnels and over 39 bridges!

Getting on provided us with the first of our real Spanish immersion adventures as we caught the wrong bus to the train station and suddenly found ourselves honorary members of a Mexican tour group.  We felt in good hands as the leader began with a blessing!  They never once questioned why we were there but just accepted that we were!  We ran into the tour leader several times and each time it was big smiles, hugs and holas!

The train station at El Fuerte.

A bit of confusion and we were in our first class seats, smack in the middle of another Mexican tour!  The only non speaking Spanish tourists on the car.  Not to fear we were once again looked after and some where out there we are on social media with this group.

We quickly learned we were with the party group, not many quiet moments on this train especially in the Terrace Bar - windows open for views which were amazing and the drinks were flowing.  Only in Mexico would a train car get this loud with happy travellers cheering at curves, singing and dancing.

Our destination on the first day was Bahuichivo, about a 5 hour train ride.   From there we travelled by van to our overnight destination of Cerocahui.

When booking this trip we decided we really wanted to experience the train so opted to do the ride twice.  Our adventure closed with a second train ride from Creel all the way to our starting point of El Fuerte.  Less crowded this time as it is not the popular direction, it was interesting to see some of the sights in a different way. We experienced more stops, a delicious lunch and of course met some lovely people on board.

The train experience was fun and a one in the kind experience.  But the scenery made the trip travelling through so many different environments.  Of course as grand as this scenery was we discovered it was simply the warm up act for what was to come.

It has been an interesting experience being in an area with very little English.  The destination is extremely popular with Mexican families and the locations and attractions are geared for them.  On the other hand they are welcoming and always helpful to the 2 foreigners fumbling their way through!