The last bastion for mainline standard gauge steam in North America was Mexico. But by 1968 steam was on its last legs there as well. NdeM 3031 was a 1946 product of Alco, and she and her Alco and Baldwin sisters had once handled the premier trains between Mexico City and the U.S. border. They were relatively small for modern 4-8-4's but handsome engines. By 1968 steam was gone except for a small group of these 4-8-4's handling locals for short distances out of Valle de Mexico yard north of Mexico City. Within a short time they too would be cold. A sister, 3028, is slowly being returned to service on the New Hope and Ivyland. And there are reports that this engine, 3031, has been saved and will be put on display in Huehuetoca.
