Not Union Pacific

The Sud Pacifico de Mexico had nothing to do with the Union Pacific. It was built by the Santa Fe and acquired by the SP in a trade that saw the SP line from Mojave to Needles go to Santa Fe. SP sold it to the Mexican government in around 1951. The SP de Mex was always a poor relation to its vast imperial northern parent, and had a motley collection of cast off SP equipment. I would guess the railbus was cobbled together at the SP de M shop. The train number indicator is an indication of SP heritage (although the UP used them as well). As somebody else noted the headlight visor suggests the picture was taken during WWII. Fascinating vehicle.

JBWX



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 09/19/2017 12:09PM by John West.