RE: (rshsdepot) Mexico's stations (estaciones)

["Mark A. Thomas" <markt_@_duke.edu>]

I've travelled some in Mexico and have been a member of the email 
list "Mexlist" (Mexican railroads) since early in its life. I have 
some photos of Mexican depots that I can some day scan and share with 
the rshs list (maybe I'll wait to see what else Mr. Ruelos posts).

As with most structures in Mexico, virtually none is frame. Mostly 
masonary or brick.  Many of these date to the late 19th century when 
the major rail lines were built, mostly with US, British, or Belgian 
capital, and they didn't seem to skimp on the depots. There are 
standard design elements that you notice along certain RR lines. 
Since many of the stations were active through the end of 
nationalization in the 1990s, and because of the construction, there 
are lots still standing, often in pretty good shape, although the 
rail network wasn't nearly as dense as in the US. Maybe more like in 
the western US. There are some very fine buildings, as Mr. Ruelos's 
photos attest.

The Guanajuato "station" in his photos is for a brand new funicular 
rr up to a famous patriotic monument overlooking town. The real 
station (the end of a branch of the Mexican Central from Silao, the 
rr built by Santa Fe interests from El Paso to Mexico City) is a nice 
late 19th century stone structure.  The branch is at least inactive, 
maybe dismantled.

See my rarely updated vanity web site at http://www.duke.edu/~markt 
for a pic of me standing in front of the old Mexican National depot 
at San Miguel de Allende.  "Station Master's Office"

- --Mark Thomas, markt_@_duke.edu
=================================
The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

------------------------------