Sonora-Baja California EMD FT 2203 at Benjamin Hill, Sonora, September 3, 1973. Photographer: Peter Arnold.
(Craig Garver, Public domain, flickr.com/photos/digitalrailartist/51713735691/)
FERROCARIL SONORA-BAJA CALIFORNIA
The Ferrocarril Sonora–Baja California is a former railroad line of Mexico that built the line from Mexicali, Baja California, to Benjamín Hill, Sonora. In 1948. It interchanged with the Southern Pacific Railroad at Calexico, California, and with the Ferrocarril del Pacifico in Benjamin Hill, Sonora. Before 1960, The SP-controlled Inter-California railroad provided trackage rights for the SBC from Pascualitos to the International Border. SBC took control of that part after the demise of the Inter-Cal.
SBC provided passenger and freight service throughout its existence. It was headquartered in Mexicali, B.C. and had major repair and overhaul shops for its equipment in the town of Benjamin Hill, Sonora. From 1970 into the FNM merger, the SBC also controlled the 44-mile freight-only "Ferrocarril Tijuana y Tecate" UB line from border to border. SP, Kyle Railways and later the San Diego and Imperial Valley Railroad operated the line, paying a fee to the SBC, and later to FNM.
It was absorbed into Nacionales de México in 1987, thus becoming a fallen-flag. The last passenger train from Mexicali to Benjamin Hill operated in 1997. Today the line continues to provide daily modern freight service, including intermodal. It is now known as Ferromex's Puerto Penasco Subdivision and designated by the SCT as the "U" and "UA" lines of the Mexican rail system.
Sonora-Baja California EMD F7 2201 at Mexicali, Baja California, December 2, 1971. Photographer: R W Biermann.
Craig Garver, Public domain, flickr.com/photos/digitalrailartist/50658948171/)
S-BC F Unit Roster
| Model | S-BC No. | Former No. | Built | Serial No., Order No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTA | 2203A | NP 6010D,then NP 5410D | EMD 01-1945 | 2840, E636A | NP trade-in to GE for U25C, 9/1/1964; to SBC from GE; to Museo Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Mexicanos in 1998 |
| FTB | 2203B | NP 6006C, then NP 5406C | EMD 10-1944 | 2572, E612_b | NP trade-in to GE for U25C, 9/1/1964; to SBC from GE; at Benjamin Hill (2009) |
| F7A | 2201 | S.C.O.P. 23037 | EMD 09-1949 | 9886, E1296-A | to Museo de los Ferrocarriles de Yucatan; under restoration |
| F7A | 2202 | S.C.O.P. 23038 | EMD 09-1949 | 9887, E1296-A | at Benjamín Hill rail yard, to be dismantled. |
| FP7A | 2101 | S.C.O.P. 23035 | EMD 09-1949 | 9888, E1313-A | at Benjamín Hill rail yard to be dismantled. |
| FP7A | 2102 | S.C.O.P. 23036 | EMD 09-1949 | 9889, E1313-A | at Benjamín Hill rail yard to be dismantled. |
Sonora-Baja California EMD GP40-2 2112 at Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, June 25, 1980. Photographer: James Chaflin.
(Craig Garver, Public domain, flickr.com/photos/digitalrailartist/51544547604/)
The all-EMD Sonora Baja California ran from the border at Mexicali to Benjamin Hill, Sonora, where it connected with the Ferrocarril del Pacifico. It ran two passenger trains a day in each direction, and bought new GP40-2's with high hoods to accommodate a steam generator. - Craig Garver