| THE TRAIN
Construction on the Copper Canyon train was begun in 1863 and completed in 1961 after several companies involved in the construction were forced into bankruptcy resulting in decades long periods when nothing was accomplished on the project. The cost in 1961 U.S. dollars was over one hundred million. At the time of its completion the cost of a ride from Ciudad Chihuahua to Topalabampa, a distance of 418 miles, was three dollars. Today the cost is about $140. During its 418 mile route the train crosses 37 bridges goes through 86 tunnels and has an elevation change of over 8,000 feet. It is regarded by  many as being the grandest train ride in North America.
Most travelers today get on the train at El Fuerte which is an hour or so northeast of the trains present day starting point of Los Mochis. The scenery between Los Mochis and El Fuerte is drab and by starting your journey in El Fuerte you can have at least an extra hours sleep if you so desire. El Fuerte itself is an old silver mining town and has some very nice hotels and a good restaurant or two. The trip to Bahuichivo, the jumping off place for Urique, is about four hours and covers the most scenic part of the train ride. When traveling eastward from El Fuerte, the view from the right side of the train is considered to be best. Many people hang out between the cars for better camera shots. The dining car has comfortable seats with good views and for the price of a coke or cup of coffee you can wile away an hour or so there.
Until 1993 the train suffered an occasional robbery but in that year a Swiss tourist decided to make a recording of a robbery with his vcr camera. The robbers objected to this and shot him dead. Since that time there have always been several armed guards on each and every run of the train and this has put a stop to all robberies.
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