In pictures: Mexico's Copper Canyon railway

Every morning at 6am the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pac�fico or El Chepe sets off on its route through the Copper Canyon on Mexico's most stunning train journey.

The Copper Canyon railway winds its scenic way from Los Mochis, in Sinaloa state, to Chihuahua.

Boarding the train at Los Mochis, Sinaloa State

Local passengers and a few foreign tourists board the train at Los Mochis, Sinaloa State - deep in Mexico�s cowboy country - to witness a wonder of the natural world.

Chihuahua�s collection of six canyons - cast in an emerald hue during the rainy season - is four times bigger than the Grand Canyon in the US state of Arizona and in some sections deeper.

Most of Mexico's passenger railways fell into disuse after privatisation in 1995 but the glorious backdrop to this line helps to keep it commercially viable.

Mexico�s only surviving passenger service shares the same track with freight trains. Railway workers, guarding their cargo, pass the tourists travelling on their first-class locomotive.

Some settlements have sprung up to serve passengers on the 653km-stretch of railroad. Others, like Cerocahui, were established as Jesuit missions during colonial times.

Tourism is an economic mainstay along the canyon corridor but illegal drug production is widespread in the region and is an important part of the local economy.

A family from the indigenous Tarahumara group

Indigenous Tarahumara - one of Mexico�s most marginalised groups - still inhabit the valley, living in adobe huts on the canyon edge or in the caves that housed their ancestors.

They survive mainly on subsistence farming with corn as their staple food. Almost 50% of children under-five has suffered malnutrition, according to the Tarahumara Foundation.

Highly-skilled basket weavers, the Tarahumara are better known as long-distance runners whose trademark huarache sandals are cut from old car tyres, tied with leather straps.

Many Tarahumara or "Raramuri" families depend on young women, like 18-year-old mother Alicia, to supplement their family income selling handicrafts to tourists.

Everyday Alicia and younger sister Rosa Maria hike four hours to sell their wares at Posada Barrancas station. On average they earn 70 pesos (�3.20; $5) per day. Photos and text: Kate Joynes-Burgess