New York, Texas and Mexican Railway



The New York, Texas and Mexican Railway Company was a railroad business chartered in 1880 to connect New York City with Mexico City with the initial tracks laid in Texas (1880-1905). Known colloquially as The Macaroni Line, it was established by Joseph Telfener, an Italian engineer and financier.

The company issued stock and sought land grants but violated an agreement on its starting point. State law was subsequently changed to eliminate land grants to railroad and canal builders and the railroad passed to Telfener's brother-in-law. In 1905 it was merged with Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway Company.

John W. Mackay helped finance the project. He and Telfener named its first six stations (Mackay, Telferner(sic), Hungerford, Edna, Inez, and Louise) after themselves and their family members. A historical marker in Hungerford commemorates the line.