55 years ago, I got the idea that there might still be steam in Mexico from reading the gloriously illustrated articles written by Frank Barry, certifiable genius of photography, Spanish language, folklore, history, and railroading. Most of his fascinating stories have yet to be published, but I am delighted to report that this omission is being corrected at long last. Please see edited copy/paste message below, from his daughter:

I hope it is all right for me to post this here. I am working with my father, Frank Barry, on a book about the adventures he had chasing and photographing steam engines in Mexico in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He currently has Alzheimer's, (stage 2—so it is mostly affecting his short-term memory: he can still have a conversation and his memories about trains are very much alive). I am helping him with the book and managing his emails.

If anyone on this thread is interested, I set up a blog for him on Substack where we post his photos and the stories that go with them. Many of them are excerpts from the Mexico book. (It's free to subscribe—paid subscribers will receive a free copy of the book when it comes out.)

https://frankbarryrailphotography.subst ... in-chasing.

Here are some links to the more recent posts, both of which are about Mexico:
https://frankbarryrailphotography.subst ... the-oaxaca
https://frankbarryrailphotography.subst ... woodburner

Welcome to Adventures in Chasing Steam - by Frank Barry

People often ask me how I got interested in trains. Adventures in Chasing and Photographing Steam

frankbarryrailphotography.substack.com

I hope this is something some of you will enjoy! Please feel free to email me at my personal address, rebecca@rebeccabarry.net if you have any questions.

We should all subscribe at some level, and participate in the community she is developing...

Sammy,

Thank you so much for assisting Frank and his family to put his memories and wonderful photography into book form. I have the book he wrote about his adventures of recording the D&RGW narrow gauge during the final year of winter operation over Cumbres.

Like you, I have a very soft spot in my heart for the railroads and railroaders who openly embraced the "gringos" from the U.S. who came to witness the last mainline steam operations (narrow and standard gauge) in North America.

Your trip to Mexico in the summer of 1966 was less than a month removed from my similar experience. While steam operations were limited to the narrow gauge and the 4-8-4's operating north out of "The Valle", it was enough to make me a life long NdeM steam fan. A cab ride on 4-8-4 3034 was the frosting on the cake and my very first steam cab ride.

Good luck on your journey to pull together Frank's photography and memories for others, who never was awakened by a light 4-8-4 drifting into Tula in the middle of the night to assume helper duties, to enjoy.

My extremely grateful thanks to you and the Barry family!

Even the first post is quite a story. This will be a good trip.

Can't wait to explore this site. So far it is a wonderful experience. Thank you for posting this buddy. Regards, John.