HSTs in Mexico - news and progress updates

[XCTurbostar]

I'll give it a year before they're being hauled by a GP40.

Plus, We've got some MK3 DVTs becoming available soon if Mexico want them!

 

[Killingworth]

The most recent fatal accident on the line doesn't seem to have involved an HST but Mexican comment is certainly picking up on the age of the units. See this article from Mexican News Daily "New details emerge as investigation of deadly train accident inches forward" ; https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/some-details-emerge/

This report mentions 2 locomotives and 6 carriages. Other reports have noted only 4 carriages.

New details emerge as investigation of deadly train accident inches forward​

MND Staff
December 31, 2025

4
In the Oaxaca town of Matías Romero, family members mourn victims of the tragic derailment of the Tren Interoceánico. (Carolina Jiménez Mariscal/Cuartoscuro)

Investigators continue to examine the scene of the tragic Interoceanic Train crash that killed 13 people on Sunday, while Mexico’s government announced it will seek international certification to improve safety on the railway line.
Several questions remain unanswered, even though the authorities are in possession of the train’s black box, which holds the key to understanding the incident. The accident occurred nearly 90 minutes after the six-car Z-line train departed from Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, en route to Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz.

President Sheinbaum stands before a projected photo of a special committee set up by Oaxaca Gov. Salomón Jara to oversee government support for the families of the dead and injured in the train accident. The president said she will seek certification from a qualified and recognized body of experts to ensure that the rail line is up to safety standards. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)
In a statement, the government said 13 experts are on site, working to determine the cause of the accident, which took place on the edge of a ravine on a curved section of track.
The train’s two locomotives managed to avoid falling down the embankment, but the first passenger car became detached and slid approximately 6.5 meters (21 feet) down the slope. The second car was left partially suspended in mid-air, while the third and fourth cars came to rest crosswise over the tracks but were undamaged.

The government is said to be considering asking external experts to assist in the investigation. The Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR) will ultimately make that decision.
The Naval Ministry — which operates the railway — and the FGR are looking for specialists who can make the necessary recommendations to improve the safety of the megaproject inaugurated just two years ago.
“We’re going to look for the best certification body so that, if they make recommendations on what needs to be done about these curves or … to make the route safer, we can take them into account,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said.
“In other words, once the report is submitted, a certifying body should come to guarantee that the track and locomotives are in good working order and that the train can operate again,” she said.

Sunday’s accident has increased pressure on Sheinbaum over the safety of recent government megaprojects, as this is the third train accident in Mexico this year.
The new Maya Train in the Yucatán Peninsula has experienced two derailments, though nobody was seriously hurt in either.
According to investigative journalist Alejandra Crail, Mexico’s federal auditing agency (ASF) cited “deficient planning” in its inspection of the Interoceanic Train project during construction.
Crail cited a 2019 ASF document detailing technical omissions by the contractors and concerns about their technical capacity to deal with the geography of the area.
Crail told Aristegui Noticias that among the issues mentioned in the ASF report are “steep slopes and curves in the predominantly mountainous areas” through which the train travels, as well as “undulations in the terrain and natural obstacles that affect the alignment of the track.”
The ASF reportedly recommended sanctions for the public officials who allowed the works to continue despite the detected deficiencies. Crail said it is unclear whether these irregularities were corrected in subsequent contracts.
The newspaper Reforma also mentioned the train’s deficiencies, reporting that “the project was plagued by flaws and carelessness” during the construction and track rehabilitation phases, adding that it operates with old and recycled trains, some of which are 50 years old.
Reuters news agency said the project “faced multiple allegations of corruption, weak oversight and potential conflicts of interest.”
With reports from Reuters, Los Angeles Times, El País, Milenio and Aristegui Noticias

 

[XCTurbostar]

Its interesting that they mention 'some' are 50 years old since the oldest Amfleets in use are the same age if not older than the HSTs and Mk3s!

 

[Killingworth]

They don't let a little prang stop them running in Mexico! Out of service. See this video; https://packaged-media.redd.it/4l16...00&s=f15afc5b761d501464222fe57b5778d7b25548d6

 

[Bletchleyite]

They don't let a little prang stop them running in Mexico! Out of service. See this video; https://packaged-media.redd.it/4l16...00&s=f15afc5b761d501464222fe57b5778d7b25548d6

Wow!

It's interesting how this line has our exported old tat, whereas the Tren Maya has a completely brand new set of multiple units. Why the difference I wonder?

 

[AdamWW]

Wow!

It's interesting how this line has our exported old tat,

Old, yes.

But I wouldn't call an HST tat.

 

[superalbs]

The HST is in better condition than the Tren Maya stock, there's no question about that. Poorly made commuter units, just with comfy seats and a buffet.

 

[43096]

The most recent fatal accident on the line doesn't seem to have involved an HST but Mexican comment is certainly picking up on the age of the units. See this article from Mexican News Daily "New details emerge as investigation of deadly train accident inches forward" ; https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/some-details-emerge/

This report mentions 2 locomotives and 6 carriages. Other reports have noted only 4 carriages.

Read it again. It says six cars initially without saying what type of cars they are. The train was of 6 cars - 2 cars being locos, 4 being passenger carrying.

 

[Killingworth]

Read it again. It says six cars initially without saying what type of cars they are. The train was of 6 cars - 2 cars being locos, 4 being passenger carrying.

I highlighted the Mexican News Daily headline. We have yet to see a full report. So far I don't think I've seen clear pictures of more than the overturned leading loco, one carriage deep in the ravine and three, maybe 4, more on their way to the ravine, plus people being helped down a ladder from one of 2 HST carriages.

I'd not want to suggest any more without further specific evidence.

 

[HST2FIT]

The HST was not involved at all.
The HST was servicing the Pakal-Na'- Coatzacoalcos route at that time.



The pictures and the video above were taken around mid 2025 when the HST collided with a lorry in Tabasco.
(3 screenshots taken from the internet).




The derailed equipment was American.
the source of this info below,

https://groups.io/g/MEXLIST/message/24317

 

[mad_rich]

Does anyone here have any more recent experiences of the Interoceánico?

I've just been checking on pasajerosinteroceanico.com.mx, and no dates seem to be selectable, whichever line I choose. The same was true when I checked a couple of months ago. I don't think it's my browser.

I'm looking at a trip in February.

(Also looking on any advice for the Copper Canyon railway, if anyone has any recent experience there.)