Iron horse imperialism. The Southern Pacific of Mexico, 1880-1951.

Available in paperback October 2008! The Southern Pacific of Mexico was a U.S.-owned railroad that operated from 1898 to 1951, connecting Nogales, Arizona, to Guadalajara, with several stops in northwestern cities and port towns. Despite being owned by the Southern Pacific Company, which ran a profitable system in the U.S., the SP de Mex transported millions of passengers and tons of freight but rarely turned a profit. Daniel Lewis explores why this savvy corporation continued operations until nationalization by the Mexican government over fifty years later. He reveals a complex relationship shaped by Mexico's historical defeat by U.S. forces and the Southern Pacific's misunderstanding of the local political landscape. Lewis argues that SP executives, influenced by contemporary media, engaged in a form of reflexive imperialism, keeping the company committed to the railroad long after it was economically viable. Drawing on newly accessible information from Mexican and American archives, this comprehensive investigation illustrates the intricate, decades-long interplay between oblivious U.S. entrepreneurs and cautious Mexican officials, presenting a captivating narrative.