San Diego & Arizona Excursion to Mexico

The 2005 National N Scale Convention

The Pacific Southwest Railroad Museum operated a special excursion train from Campo, California, to Texate, Baja California, Mexico, over the San Diego & Arizona Railway for convention attendees.

The special excursion train prepares to depart — The special train prepares to depart for Tecate.

The railroad crosses the USA-Mexico border — The railroad crosses the USA-Mexico border inside a tunnel.

View from the baggage car — The baggage car provided a view of the rugged terrain the line traverses.

The Cerveza Jardin at the Tecate Brewery — The Cerveza Jardin at the Tecate Brewery, where welcome relief from the heat was offered in the form of ice cold Tecate beer. The brewery itself is very modern, completely computer-controlled and spotlessly clean inside and out.

The Tecate station, built in 1915 — Our destination was Tecate. The station was built in 1915. It is fortuitously located adjacent to the Tecate Brewery.

The Tecate station, built in 1915 — Our destination was Tecate. The station was built in 1915. It is fortuitously located adjacent to the Tecate Brewery.

View from the baggage car on the return trip — This view from the baggage car on the return trip gives a good feel for the landscape.

The train returns to Campo — The train returns to Campo. The portable building visible at left behind the station is the US Customs office. Everyoned was required to pass through the Customs office upon returning to Campo.

Pacific Southwest Railroad Museum collection — The Pacific Southwest Railroad Museum has many interesting pieces in its collection. Above is a former SP Alco awaiting restoration. Below, an SP steam engine. The geep that hauled the excursion train is a former Cotton Belt unit.

A former SP steam engine at the museum