Mexico Railways - new Schinder Waggon passenger coaches for Mexico in 1953
The "Aguila Azteca", the Aztec Eagle, connecting with the Texas Eagle of the Missouri-Pacific, was the train of prestige from the U.S. border at Nuevo Laredo to Mexico Ciudad - and the fastest way from Europe to Mexico.
In 1952, NdeM ordered three elegant train sets from the Pratteln-based Swiss manufacturer, Schindler Waggon, consisting of luxury Pullman sleepers, first class and standard coaches, diners and round-end observation lounge cars. The new trains were intended to provide a new level of comfort on the direct rail service to the USA.
Built in 1952/3, the new Swiss coaches were thought for the Aguila Azteca, but as the Swiss trucks were developed for well-maintained tracks, they were not very successful in Mexico and by and by were replaced with American "Commonwealth" trucks.
Delivery consisted of 56 cars, 25.7 m long and weighting 44 to 54 t each - a relatively heavy car for Europe (the American standard stands at 26.4 meters for Intercity cars for up to 200 km/h that typically weigh 40 to 44 t). For American railroads, it was rather a lightweight type:
3 bagage/mail
30 primera 84 seats
7 primera especial 56 seats
3 diners "Comedor"
7 sleepers 8 section - 1 bedroom - 2 compartment
3 sleepers 2 bedroom - 3 compartment - 2 drawing room - 2 master room
3 bars with rounded ends
In May 1953, several test and demonstration runs were held in Switzerland behind Swiss electrics to the famous resort Interlaken (Jungfrau region).
The new Schindler sleeping, dining and observation coaches were all renumbered in the early 1960s:
(3) TAVERN-LOUNGE OBSERVATION CARS
Maya, renamed Club Maya (1960) - 363
Mexica, renamed Club Mexica (1960) - 364
Olmeca, renamed Club Olmeca (1960) - 365
(3) 7 compartment-2 drawing room SLEEPING CARS
Tajin - 263
Teotihuacan - 267
Tulum -272
(3) DINING CARS
Tarasco -3610
Tolteca - 3611, renamed Feria Nacional de San Marcos (1966)
Totonaca - 3612
(8) 8 section-3 double bedroom SLEEPING CARS
Bonampak - 108
Chichen-Itza - 117
Gran Teocali - 150
Kabah - 174
Mitla [2] - 216
Monte Alban [2] - 217
Palenque [1] -223
Uxmal - 278
Mexico Railways - new Schinder Waggon passenger coaches for Mexico in 1953
The "Aguila Azteca", the Aztec Eagle, connecting with the Texas Eagle of the Missouri-Pacific, was the train of prestige from the U.S. border at Nuevo Laredo to Mexico Ciudad - and the fastest way from Europe to Mexico.
In 1952, NdeM ordered three elegant train sets from the Pratteln-based Swiss manufacturer, Schindler Waggon, consisting of luxury Pullman sleepers, first class and standard coaches, diners and round-end observation lounge cars. The new trains were intended to provide a new level of comfort on the direct rail service to the USA.
Built in 1952/3, the new Swiss coaches were thought for the Aguila Azteca, but as the Swiss trucks were developed for well-maintained tracks, they were not very successful in Mexico and by and by were replaced with American "Commonwealth" trucks.
Delivery consisted of 56 cars, 25.7 m long and weighting 44 to 54 t each - a relatively heavy car for Europe (the American standard stands at 26.4 meters for Intercity cars for up to 200 km/h that typically weigh 40 to 44 t). For American railroads, it was rather a lightweight type:
3 bagage/mail
30 primera 84 seats
7 primera especial 56 seats
3 diners "Comedor"
7 sleepers 8 section - 1 bedroom - 2 compartment
3 sleepers 2 bedroom - 3 compartment - 2 drawing room - 2 master room
3 bars with rounded ends
In May 1953, several test and demonstration runs were held in Switzerland behind Swiss electrics to the famous resort Interlaken (Jungfrau region).
The new Schindler sleeping, dining and observation coaches were all renumbered in the early 1960s:
(3) TAVERN-LOUNGE OBSERVATION CARS
Maya, renamed Club Maya (1960) - 363
Mexica, renamed Club Mexica (1960) - 364
Olmeca, renamed Club Olmeca (1960) - 365
(3) 7 compartment-2 drawing room SLEEPING CARS
Tajin - 263
Teotihuacan - 267
Tulum -272
(3) DINING CARS
Tarasco -3610
Tolteca - 3611, renamed Feria Nacional de San Marcos (1966)
Totonaca - 3612
(8) 8 section-3 double bedroom SLEEPING CARS
Bonampak - 108
Chichen-Itza - 117
Gran Teocali - 150
Kabah - 174
Mitla [2] - 216
Monte Alban [2] - 217
Palenque [1] -223
Uxmal - 278