Early morning at National Railways of Mexico’s Huehuetoca yards, the road’s handsome 4-8-4s are on the move, roundhouse to the “patio” to pick up their trains. On July 4, 1964, steam is dead north of the border, but here 32 of the road’s handsome QR-1 Niagaras will still find work for another year or two. Small but modern machines – only Toledo Peoria & Western’s six Northerns were lighter -- they ride on roller bearings and have most of the modern appliances, plus another distinguishing feature – most bear decorative touches added by devoted crews – brass eagles, hand-painted emblems and the like not seen on U.S. roads in decades.
