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Ed and Fran

May 23, 2006, 6:19 PM

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American Orient Express - Mexico Grand rail Tour

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I'm not sure how long this has been news, but it just came to my attention today and I thought I'd share it, just in case any of you had a hankering for margaritas and an extra $5,000-$6,000 to blow.

Looks like American Orient Express has changed it's name to Grand Luxe Rail Journeys, or at least that's what the website says.
http://www.americanorientexpress.com/html/tours/Mexico.html

But the interesting thing, at least to me, is that they are promoting a 9 day / 8 night grand rail tour through Mexico, entering at El Paso, passing through the Copper Canyon, down part of the Pacific Coast, up to Guadalajara, and ending in Mexico City. They also have nortbound excursions.

I love the idea of seeing some passenger train service down here again, even if it is just an excursion and not normal service. It would be a real dream to take this trip, but at the prices they are asking, it will have to just remain a dream for us.

Regards

Ed & Fran

Marta R

May 23, 2006, 6:53 PM

Post #2 of 5 (1007 views)

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Re: [Ed and Fran] American Orient Express - Mexico Grand rail Tour

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For a train buff without that kind of dough, this is pure torture. Gad, but I'd love to go.

Marta

TigerTonio

May 24, 2006, 5:01 AM

Post #3 of 5 (968 views)

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Re: [Marta R] American Orient Express - Mexico Grand rail Tour

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Ed & Fran, thanks so much for posting this information. I'm really astonished here -- didn't think there'd ever be any tourist train travel through any of these areas outside of the Copper Canyon region (which is somthing every Mexico enthusiast should embark upon at some point).

Bravo! I hope someone takes this tour and posts their experiences.

Marta R

May 24, 2006, 9:39 AM

Post #4 of 5 (931 views)

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Re: [Tio Toño] American Orient Express - Mexico Grand rail Tour

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Ahem.

I would be willing to waive all my usual hourly and per-word charges and be the official Mexico Connect Guinea Pig for such a trip, eager and able to report on all details, including personal observations, historical and geological perspectives, culinary reviews, and sociological notes (inter alia) and would even undertake to post a running report during the course of the trip, depending (of course) on the availability of email -- and all at no extra cost to the membership, over and above the six thousand bucks needed for the trip and airfare to and from.

Now honestly, have you all ever heard a more generous offer? What's 6k among friends? Wink

Marta

Lon

May 25, 2006, 8:32 PM

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Re: [Marta R] American Orient Express - Mexico Grand rail Tour

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I made the reverse of this trip, from Mexico City to Mexicali in 1982 for $7.75. I used my University of Veracruz student id (I studied Spanish at the Jalapa campus) and obtained a half-price discount. The tickets were first-class (sencilla). No frills, no food, no functioning toilet, and there were live chickens aboard. What a trip.