Virtual Railfan Tour of Ecuador 1988 - Bucay to Alausi

 

Runpast with our special train between Bucay and Huigra

On this part of the trip  we took water at Huigra and climbed the incomparable Devils Nose.

Before Huigra



Another runpast before Huigra

A quick stop to clear a small rock slide. Our leader, Chris Skow is on the tender.

Taking water at Huigra

Climbing all the way we reached Sibambe, junction of the branch to Cuenca and bottom of the climb up the Devil's Nose.  The coach in the foreground looks like it has been hit by a large rock.  We got out here and climbed up to get a view of our train climbing the Devils Nose.

The line between Sibambe and Alausi is incredible.  We first climb the Nariz del Diablo (Devil's Nose) switchbacks then traverse the loops to eventually arrive st Alausi

Backing up on the middle section


Going ahead on the top section

The train came back down and picked us up. I was stunned by what I had seen.  I then rode the roof up the Devil's Nose as it was marginally safer - if there was a derailment I would at least know which side to jump off.
No. 45 at Alausi. Here it was a short walk to the hotel. Along the way several women tried to sell us cuy (guinea pigs) "Good to eat - lots of meat in this one."  Our hotel cost US$1.60 a night and there was a cat on the landing having kittens!



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