Officials in Mexico investigate switch failure in tourist train derailment
The accident Tuesday in Izamal caused no injuries, but left one of the train's cars off the track and inclined onto another train.
Mexico's army runs the train and also built much of it. On Wednesday, Gen. Óscar David Lozano said something had failed in the signaling system, because the switch received a signal to switch the track while the train was still moving straight over it.
Fortunately, it was moving slowly as it entered the station.
Lozano explained that the switches are automated and that the train's engineer had been told to enter the station, but when only two of the train's four cars had passed, the switch shifted the track and the car left the track.
'It's an anomaly we have to analyze because that shouldn't have happened,' he said. The analysis could take two weeks.
Tuesday's train was traveling from the Caribbean resort of Cancun to Merida, Yucatan's capital.
The train, which started running in late 2023, goes in a rough loop around the Yucatan Peninsula, covering 950 miles (1,500 kilometers). The idea was to carry tourists from the Caribbean resorts into the archaeological sites of the interior, but ridership has remained low.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2Ftal-benq-gs50-1080p-wireless-outdoor-projector-hannah-freedman-10-1-1-faca02cfebc341529fb5a99373251f35.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
4 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
The Best Portable Projectors For Movie Theater-quality Entertainment
Whether you're heading off on an international adventure or to your local campground, a portable projector can be a fun addition to your packing list. I use projectors everywhere from home to hotel rooms to create a movie theater-like atmosphere when it's time for a quiet night. Most recently, I brought one to Mexico where I was able to create fun and cozy evenings on a girl's trip. Portable projectors are usually lightweight and easy to pack in backpacks, totes, and personal items. They can also be set up quickly and allow you to access your favorite streaming site on a big screen (in fact, the screens are as small or as big as you want them to be.) I usually project my movies and shows right onto walls or white bedsheets pinned up, but you can also use home siding, the inside of tents, or even a portable screen to get the perfect experience. No matter what you have on your travel itinerary, you'll want to pack one of these fun and convenient portable projectors for movie night. Credit: Amazon $799 $549 at Amazon View on Target View on We love this easy to transport projector for its amazing picture quality indoors and outdoors. It's compatible with just about every streaming service and is easy to connect with Wi-Fi and even Bluetooth networks. While watching, we appreciated the auto focus and image correction, so we didn't have to adjust the settings ourselves when watching on various surfaces. We especially love the clear picture that was great in low light and dark settings alike. It has a battery that lasts up to 2.5 hours, so we do recommend keeping it plugged in for longer movies, but it's a great option when you're on the go. We also love that it can be paired with portable speakers to create surround sound that's just like being at the movies. While it's not the smallest projector we tested, it comes with its own carrying case and has a compact, rectangular shape that is easy to pack. It's also splash-resistant and drop-proof, so you can set it up outside without worry. The Details: 5.75 x 7.32 x 6.06 inches | 5.07 pounds | Up to 2.5 hours of video play battery life Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $540 at Amazon View on Walmart $540 at Wayfair This small device is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a portable projector they plan to travel with regularly. I have two portable projectors, but this is the only one I have flown internationally with (and I packed it in a carry-on suitcase.) While it's not the easiest to set up (you have to pair the remote with the device, which takes some time), it is easy to use once you get the hang of it. I especially love that it came with its own tripod, so I could maneuver this around as needed to get a great picture when projecting onto hotel walls. The image was clear with true colors in low light and darkness, and the sound quality was impressive as well. Because it can be difficult determining how much battery power you have when not plugged in, I do recommend using this primarily inside or when close to outlets to avoid interrupting your viewing. At one point, this began to die in the middle of a movie with a fairly ominous countdown clock pop up that sent a few of us running to clear a path to the closest outlet. The Details: 3.1 x 3.1 x 0.87 inches | 1 pound | Up to 3 hours of video play battery life Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Best Buy $798 $598 at Amazon $800 at Target $800 at Samsung I've had this portable projector for over two years and I absolutely love it for game night, watch parties, and more. I don't have a TV at home, so when we want to tune in during awards season, the World Series, or other major events, we set this up against a wall in our apartment for the perfect experience. I've also brought it on camping trips and projected movies against building sidings and even on the inside of my tent with impressive ease. It has an autofocus feature, auto keystone correction, and is attached to a swivel base so you can get the perfect image wherever you take it. While I don't have a Samsung phone, it was easy to make an account when I first set up the projector and haven't had to log in to the main device or any of my streaming accounts since initial setup. Since it also works like a smart TV, I can also use the main search function when looking for a show or movie and then I can click the result and go right to the correct streaming platform. I also love that the remote is solar powered, so I don't have to worry about additional batteries and it has preset buttons for Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and Samsung TV Plus in addition to being voice activated. This is the perfect device for big parties as the games are all family-friendly with varying degrees of difficulty. Although the battery base is sold separately, I highly recommend investing in the addition to improve your power time from about three hours to over six hours. The Details: 3.7 x 6 x 3.7 inches | 1.8 pounds | Up to 3 hours of battery life Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $990 at Amazon View on B&H Photo Video View on If you're looking for a high-quality projector to enhance your next watch party, the Epson EpiqVision Mini is the perfect choice. The picture is so clear and crisp, especially in dark settings, it felt like we were watching a home television. Because this projector utilizes Google TV, it does take a minute to set up, but once you're logged in, it's simple to watch whatever you want. We also love the sound capabilities, especially for indoor use, but recommend connecting portable speakers for use outdoors. We love that the remote comes with a button that you can press to automatically optimize the image for your screen. We found it to be sturdy while traveling, too, though we do wish it came with a bag or carrying case. Still, this was a great option for travel and home use alike, and we plan to keep this setup for regular use between travels. The Details: 7.5 x 9.3 x 7.5 inches | 6.8 pounds Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $100 $77 at Amazon View on Walmart For a simple, starter projector without a lot of bells and whistles, the Happrun Native projector is the best choice. While it doesn't connect to Wi-Fi for instant streaming on its own, it is Bluetooth compatible and does come with an HDMI cable, so you can hook up other devices (though we recommend also getting a converter to be able to pair with other devices). Because it's such a simple design, it was also incredibly easy to set up—we had it up and running in a matter of minutes. And, although it comes with an easy-to-use remote, you can also fully control the projector with the buttons built into the device itself. Considering the simplistic design, we were impressed with the projector's overall performance everywhere we went. It has some minor blurring around the edges of the picture (which was most noticeable when watching sports), but was overall clear and bright with the same quality inside and out. The largest screen we projected it on was 130 inches x 70 inches and the picture was still clear at that size. Do note that you also must pair the projector with a portable speaker as it does not have a sound system of its own. The Details: 9.3 x 8.1 x 3.5 inches | 4.5 pounds Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $1,050 $1,000 at Amazon View on REI View on REI This projector is one of the biggest we tested, but also one of the most durable, so you can confidently pack it for any adventure. It's water-resistant, drop-resistant, and dust-resistant, so you can bring it on your camping trips or into the backyard without fear of damage. It also has a built-in handle at the top so you can carry it wherever you go, though we do recommend getting a carrying case or packing it among soft items if you plan on traveling long distances. The battery also lasts up to five hours without an external battery pack, so you don't have to think about plugging it in or charging. You can also plug your phone in to charge it using the projector's power, which is a convenient bonus for outdoor use. When you're camping or relaxing for an outdoor movie night, the sound quality is plenty, but if you want more of a surround sound experience, you can also connect external speakers. We also appreciated that the bulb is bright enough that you can clearly see images in dim lighting, so you don't have to wait until the sun is fully set before you start enjoying. The Details: 6.3 x 10.2 x 9.8 inches | 9.9 pounds | Up to 5 hours of battery life Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Xgimi $899 $764 at Amazon View on If you want to enhance your theater experience even further, this XGIMI set is an absolute must. It's the only portable projector we've seen that comes with its own pop-up screen, so you don't have to find a bare wall or hang up sheets to make a flat viewing surface. It even has ground stakes so you can stabilize the screen outdoors and it all comes in a hard shell carrying case with handle, so you can transport it easily (though it's about the size of a personal item, so keep that in mind when flying.) Initial setup took less than five minutes and we never noticed a lag after connecting to Wi-Fi. The remote has shortcut buttons for both Amazon Prime and Netflix and both shows and movies came out crisp and clear. We appreciate that its stand is also a backup battery, increasing play time up to 2.5 hours, too. We've set this up on rooftops and at home and have even left it set up to replace our home TV for a week at a time since the quality is that great. The Details: 14.8 x 19.9 x 7.9 inches for full kit | 10.8 pounds for full kit | Up to 5 hours of battery life Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Mexico's Maya Train derails in the Yucatan Peninsula, but no injuries reported
IZAMAL, Mexico (AP) — A tourist-focused Maya Train running along Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula derailed Tuesday as it was slowly pulling into a station, the train line said in a statement. There were no injuries. The train was running from the Caribbean resort of Cancun to the Yucatan capital Merida when it left the tracks at the station in Izamal. Passengers were transported the rest of the way by bus. The accident was under investigation but the train was operating normally between other stations, the statement said. Photos and videos circulated online showed one car off the tracks, leaning but not overturned. A federal official who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the incident said part of the derailed car leaned onto a train on a parallel track but there was no collision. The Maya Train was an enormous legacy project of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. It began running in late 2023, but produced paltry ridership. López Obrador forced the project through before environmental impact or feasibility studies were completed. Environmentalists documented severe impacts to the delicate cave systems under the train line that provide much of the peninsula's drinking water. López Obrador had said tourists would use it to depart from Cancun and explore the whole 950-mile (1,500-kilometer) route to visit the Mayan archaeological sites that dot the peninsula. Much of the ridership thus far has been on short stretches between the city of Merida and Cancun. In March 2024, the train reported another derailment as a train passed a switch entering the Tixkokob, Yucatán station. One car derailed and there were no reported injuries. ___ AP journalist Fabiola Sánchez in Mexico City contributed to this report. Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
a day ago
- Forbes
This Mexican All-Inclusive Resort Doubles As A Spa Escape For Parents
When considering Mexico's luxury all-inclusives, the Grand Velas brand is widely accepted as the category's grand dame. Its Riviera Nayarit property Grand Velas Nayarit is renowned for its fine dining program, all-suites configuration and customization of guest experience. The property itself is no hidden gem. What seasoned travelers to the Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit regions may not be familiar with is the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit's Se Spa, recently awarded Five Stars by Forbes Travel Guide. Combined with spacious rooms, a swim-up bar, nighttime entertainment and a renovated kids' club; Grand Velas Los Cabos is a thoroughly well-rounded stay, especially for parents in need of a spa treatment. Below is everything to know about booking a spa-first escape to Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. The Rooms It's so easy to stress about booking rooms as a family, wondering if there will be enough space for a crib or rollaway, and if parents will have to go to bed at 7pm to avoid disturbing anyone else's sleep. Grand Velas offers an all-suites setup, with rooms designed in soothing, contemporary neutrals with just enough pops of color to give rooms a sense of the energy running throughout the property. Every suite has an ocean view. All suites have ample room and a partition separating the main bedroom from a living space. Suite layouts eliminate any worry of wedging a crib into a bathroom or tight entryway. Speaking of cribs, a Baby Concierge is available to provide everything from cribs and rockers to bottle warmers and carriers. These thoughtful extras can save precious luggage space. Suites start at 1,000 square feet, with enough room and privacy for everyone to be comfortable. Spacious Family Suites and Two or Three-bedroom Family Residence categories add space for four or more with expansive terraces, a private dining area and some with in-suite jacuzzis. The suite setup makes it easy for families to unwind without worrying about logistics. The food and beverage Dining is a defining part of the Grand Velas experience, and often the first thing many families rave about when recounting a recent stay. From family-friendly Mexican eatery Frida to adults-only Piaf, each restaurant is a distinct experience with thoughtfully curated menus and an ability to accommodate nearly any dietary restriction. Frida pairs local, artisanal dishes with an ocean view, shining most at sunset, while Piaf becomes a parental date-night destination. Of the six restaurants on-property, five are fine dining destinations worthy of packing 'going out' clothes. One casual restaurant for walk-ins means there is always an easy option. Conveniently, a kids' dinner is served at the onsite kids club, which can accommodate drop-off for kids four and up. Reservations at fine dining restaurants do book up quickly, with many guests timing dinner to wrap in time for the evening's entertainment. Securing reservations in advance of a stay is a smart move to enjoy both the meal and the show. The Spa While dining and suites are often top of mind in any Grand Velas conversation, the property's Se Spa might be its most unsung treasure. With polished stone details throughout, and natural textures appearing from steam room to locker room, the Se Spa feels like a part of the natural landscape. It is also impressively spacious, with soaring ceilings and 20 treatment rooms. Recently awarded Five Stars by Forbes Travel Guide, the spa is a brief walk from the lobby but once inside, guests are swept into a world of kid-free quiet and calm. Spa attendants are quick to help, including Spa Butlers who set guests along a signature, self-led hydrotherapy circuit. The circuit itself is an adventure in contrast therapy, including steam, a cool, multi-jet shower and various dips in the spa's (again child-free) pools ranging in temperature from cool to warm. Cucumber slices and orange-scented cold towels add to the sensory experience. The goal of the hydrotherapy circuit is to relax muscles while invigorating the immune system. Beyond the spa menu's more traditional treatments, Se Spa has branched out with fresh offerings. Teens can book one of three facial options tailored to younger skin: a traditional Be Yourself, a Boot Camp Facial to support oily skin and the Awesome Skin facial, which also includes a full-body wrap and massage. For those looking for mind-body experiences, new healing-focused spa rituals include Reiki and a Mexican ancestral practice-inspired Chakra Healing featuring a cleansing ceremony and sound healing. For families seeking a child-friendly resort and a spa designed for a parental reset, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is designed to have everyone covered.
