NYC Niagara - Trains Magazine
Yes Mexican railroad ran Niagaras and one of them is located at New Hope & Ivyland RR in New Jersey here is writeup on it :
Number 3028
4-8-4 "Niagaras"
Built in August 1946 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York - No. 3028 is the last operating survivor of 32 modern, Type 4-8-4, Steam Locomotives outshopped that year by Alco and The Baldwin Locomotive Works, for Nacionales de Mexico (the Mexican National Railroad). Designated by the N. de M as Class QR-1 and given road numbers 3025 through 3056, these nimble and graceful engines were the finest match between a locomotive design and the environment of its railroad that was ever achieved during the steam era.
Thoroughly modern in appearance and in specifications, these 32 engines brought a welcomed increase to the roster of the hard working N. de M. Their design included a wisely balanced compromise of features that was absolutely essential for the widely diversified areas where they ran. Although built to the giant 4-8-4 wheel configuration that had evolved at the pinnacle of the steam age, these engines were designed to be lighter and more flexible than most of their counterparts made for the U.S. and other level areas - yet they were low enough to give substantial bite on the ruling grades and sharp curves found in the rugged Mexican mountains.
Most locomotives of the 4-8-4 wheel configuration were known as "Northerns", however, these N. de M. engines were called "Niagaras", after their prototypes, the mammoth post war New York central 4-8-4s. In retrospect, they deserved a name of their own, for few locomotives ever fitted their home railroad better than these did.
For over 20 years these "Niagaras" served throughout Mexico, handling heavy international freight and passenger movements between Mexico City and Nuevo Lareo as well as regular runs to Guadalajara and Aguascalientes through the difficult high altitude mountain country. This locomotive design, modern and sleek, yet sizable and rugged, gave the N. de M. the broadest possible usage over the limitations of the light rail and mountain curves making up much of its right of way.
In 1966, after 20 years of service on the N de M., Engine 3028 was acquired by the Great North Eastern Railroad Foundation and returned to its "birthplace" of Schenectady, New York. It was the intention of the Foundation to restore this locomotive to operation and display it as an example of the ultimate in design and construction of the great American Locomotive Company. For almost 30 years, the Foundation carefully preserved and stored the engine, out of the weather, in the former Delaware & Hudson shops at Colonie, New York.
In November 1994, the Great North Eastern Railroad Foundation entered into a long term rental agreement with the New Hope and Ivyland Rail Road, which allowed Locomotive 3028 to be moved from Colonie, New York to the New Hope and Ivyland Rail Road at New Hope, Pennsylvania. The agreement calls for Locomotive 3028 to be restored to full operating condition at the New Hope shop. It will then be placed into regular operating service on the New Hope and Ivyland Rail Road, joining "Old Number 40", a 1925 Baldwin, type 2-8-0 Steam Locomotive which has been providing most of the motive power on the Railroad. Together they will operate an extensive year-round schedule consisting of Regular Passenger Excursions, Elegant Dining Excursions and Special Charter Trains from the terminals at New Hope & Ivyland to and from the many rustic rural village stations stretching across Bucks county, Pennsylvania.
Historic Information from:
Main Line Mexico
by: Harold A. Edmo
