Ferrocarriles Unidos de Yucatán

Company History: The UdeY was born in 1902 with a three-way merger between Progreso to Merida Railway (who ran a mix of standard and 3’ gauge lines in the Mexican states of Yucatan and Campeche,) the Merida to Valloadolid Railway, and Peninsular Railway (both 3’ gauge.) In 1909, another 3’ gauge line, the Merida to Peto Railway was merged into UdeY. For the next five decades, UdeY remained separated from the rest of the North American rail network. It was in 1950 that the Mexican Government completed the Southeastern Railway to a connection with UdeY in Campeche. It took another twelve years before Southeastern bridged the Rio Coatzacoalcos and UdeY standard gauged their mainline from Campeche to Merida thereby connecting Yucatan’s capitol to the North American rail network. In 1969, United Railways of Yucatan was merged with Southeastern Railway to form United South Eastern Railways. Five of UdeY’s narrow gauge steam locomotives were acquired by the Walt Disney Company for use at Walt Disney World.

Successor/Parent History: FUS was the result of the 1969 merger of Southeastern Railway and United Railways of Yucatan in southeastern Mexico. It ran from Coatzacoalcos to Campeche and Merida with five branch lines radiating from Merida. Some of these branches were 3’ gauge and the branch to the port at Progreso was dual gauge. In 1987, FUS along with the other state owned railways of Mexico were combined into the new National Railways of Mexico also known as FNM.

Brief History: Mexico is a country between the U.S. and Central America that's known for its Pacific and Gulf of Mexico beaches and its diverse landscape of mountains, deserts and jungles. Ancient ruins such as Teotihuacán and the Mayan city of Chichén Itzá are scattered throughout the country, as are Spanish colonial-era towns. In capital Mexico City, upscale shops, renowned museums and gourmet restaurants cater to modern life.