Train
The Copper Canyon train is called CHEPE and it is really the only way to get through the Sierra Madres in a reasonable fashion. The roads, though improved greatly are still long, dusty or muddy, rough and slow.
Trains run daily for Primero or first class and almost every other day for the second class train (Economia)…see the schedules sub page here for details and watch your days if you are using the second train.
The directional sign at Creel from CHEPE- the train goes daily both ways from Chihuahua City to Los Mochis.
Primero leaves from both ends, Chihuahua City and Los Mochis each morning at 6a (watch that daylight time change date- it is different in Mexico) and the second train follows 1 hour later. My experience is that while the trains may run a bit late as the day goes on, they tend to leave on time and with no regard for ticketed passengers who may be standing on the platform drinking coffee and gazing at the sunrise- I was ticked!
Dave Hensleigh, owner and guide with Authentic Copper Canyon, is a train lover and a familiar face on CHEPE.
