Just a word of thanks to Sammy King for posting the photos and story of the Mexican Pacific. Very nice! And although we weren't looking for the Erie Railroad hopper car that was down there, we sure would take it today if it happens to still be around the property!

BTW, whatever became of the three steamers?

Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum/North Judson, Indiana)

Thank you very kindly, Les, for your message. Sorry I don't have more recent information, but maybe those who do will come forward. So far as I know, the MdelP #4, #6, and #7 are still on the grounds of the sugar mill, displayed in ratty condition along with 4-6-0 #2.

When I Google the MdelP, it's as if it really DIDN'T exist, but I managed to locate one interesting paper in Spanish language covering the origins of United Sugar Co and the railroad network. If you copy and paste the URL into Google language tools, it will give a clumsy but useful translation:
http://www.abphe.org.br/congresso2003/T ... 003_43.pdf

And, if anybody has an email contact in Los Mochis, if you would please pass my article along to the MdelP retirees, sugar mill administration, and anybody else who might be interested, I would sure appreciate it. Mucho Bueno Sabor...

Les,

You beat me to it, but I too wanted to acknowledge Sammy King's entertaining story and photos. A fascinating operation that I had never heard of before.

Alan Maples

One of my contacts took a picture of 4-6-0 #2 on display at a park near the sugar mill in Los Mochis. She has lost her tender, but looks pretty good otherwise.

He did not photograph the other three engines; J. David listed them still in Los Mochis; I have not seen any pictures or updates since.

Sammy; did you get any pictures inside the mill itself? Was/is it powered by a stationary engine(s) or a steam turbine? I too enjoyed your article very much, thank you for sharing it with us.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

Surviving World Steam Project

Once again, thank you fellas for your kind comments, and sending the information you have. J David's information came from me a few years back, but hopefully more folks with current news will come forward. At the moment, I don't have a contact in Los Mochis, but I'm hearing from a few interested folks on both sides of the border. I'll be happy to pass along anything newsworthy.

I only got videos in the present day mill's interior, but the arrangement was a step reduction drive turbine system driving four giant generators, and all the machinery was run by electric motors. The original mill building was there, also, but I didn't enter it. They told me the grinder was still in there, and I'd guess a Corliss did the honors. From pictures, I'd say it might be intact, but I bet the railroad relics have been cleaned up long ago.

I've been curious about #2 since I found a reference to it in the Diebert and Strapac's S.P. Steam Locomotive Compendium. It was Pacific Lines engine #2018, #1608, SP #105, and SP of Arizona #25. Schenectady #1306 12-1880. SP disposed of other ten-wheelers from the same class to the California Western and Nevada Northern.

I have never seen a photo of it. Is it reasonably well cared for in Los Mochis? How much is missing? Thanks

We found a copper steam test tag in #2's steam dome, which indicates that she worked for the SP de Mexico as (I think) their #204. Many years ago my pictures of her were sent to various railfan publications that never paid for, published, or returned them. Hence, I had none for RyPN. But, if you visit this link to the town of Los Mochis, there is a picture of the engine documenting her present appearance: http://www.portalmochis.net/lmfotos.htm Scroll down to image 5.

She is displayed with the stack from #4, which she never used when she was in service. Her tender was removed for use with engine #4, and #4's original woodrack tender taken out of service. These engines are not in the most wonderful condition, BUT, please keep in mind that money has been tight for a long time. Rather than scrapping or selling the four MdelP engines, although the money is sorely needed, the sugar company has at least set them aside in their natural habitat. Eighteen years ago they told me that they were going to be cut up after they were no longer useful. They had a change of heart, but funds for a proper restoration are just not there.

Sammy - Thanks for the interesting additional info. The website has a lot of neat photos and the two pix of number 2 show that she appears to be well taken care of.

Hope the 4, 6 and 7 receive some attention in the future. Or are eventually given good homes.

Les

Thanks again to everybody who is taking an interest in the MdelP. Especially, I'd like to point out that were it not for Hume Kading and RyPN, this story would never have been published.

As far as those engines go, you can be pretty sure that there would be armed resistance were anybody from the outside to attempt to remove them. If the usual political and financial obstructions were to somehow be taken out of their way, I should think that some of my buddies would love to fix them up and run them. The problem is that the only people with steam knowlege and a real appreciation for the MdelP are railroad workers and their families, who do not have access to power and money. It is difficult enough just to take care their families and keep the memory of the MdelP alive.