The FC Mexicano was formed in London in 1864 and opened the 425km long line between Mexico City & Vera Cruz in 1873. Due to severe gradients and tight curvature on the mountain section between Orizaba & Esparanza where the line climbs 4025ft in just over 29 miles, it was planned from the outset to use Fairlie articulated 0-6-6-0Ts. This they did for around 50 years with some 25 locomotives still working traffic on the mountain section until the end of steam working. Increasing traffic and heavier loads led to the electrification of the 103km section between Paso del Macho & Esperanza in 1924. The railway itself passed into state control in 1946.

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