Alan's Steam Portfolio

Ecuador: Rail Roading in the Andes.

Lunch at Sibambi Junction. Autoferro at Sibambi Junction Oiling the pump.


During July 1996 I travelled to Ecuador for a couple weeks railway photography. A lot of the ground work for the trip was done by the well known South American 'expert' David Ibbotson of Dorridge Travel, the group being organised by David Rodgers and Gunter Oczko.

Our journey began in Quito the capitol of Ecuador, however due to the failure of  Baldwin #58, one of the few operational steam locos in the country the start of our trip was hauled by one the the Alsthom BoBoBo diesel locos #2409. The route to Riobamba takes the railway down the avenue of fire, so called because it is lined by at least 7 volcanoes.

From Riobamba we journeyed in stages down to Duran (Guayaquil) on the coast.

I have chosen to illustrate a journey from Guayaquil to the Andean town of Alausi using photos taken on this and an earlier trip made in 1990.

The tour was operated by David Rodgers of Steam Loco Safari Tours (email at dcrslst@hotmail.com ) who runs a number of steam tours each year.




If you have any comments or would like further information please email me on hotmetal@alancrotty.co.uk

Below is the usual table showing links to 12 of my favourite images.

G&Q 17 Baldwin 2-8-0 at Duran Depot.
G&Q #17 at Duran Works.

9/90
G&Q #14 on the Cuenca line.
G&Q #14 on the Cuenca line.

9/90
G&Q #11 street running in Milagro.
G&Q #11 Milagro.

7/96
G&Q #41 &  #58 at Bucay Depot.
G&Q Bucay Depot.

9/90
#53 pounds up the main street of Huigra.
Main Street Huigra.

07/96
Animated sceen at Sibambi junction.
Animated scene at Sibambi junction.

07/96
Devils Nose 1st Reverse.
Devils Nose 1st Reverse.

07/96
#53 works hard up grade.
#53 works hard up grade.

07/96
#53 and #17 on the Devils Nose (Nazir del Diablo).
#53 and #17 on the Devils Nose

07/96
In the loops below Alausi.
In the loops below Alausi.

07/96
Night Train at Alausi.
Night Train at Alausi.

07/96
Baldwin 2-8-0 departs Alausi.
Baldwin 2-8-0 departs Alausi.

07/96


Return to Home Page