Steam in Ecuador 2008

As of 8th December 2008, the only operating section of the former G&Q is from Alausi to Sibambe, and this is only worked on Sundays for tourists using a number of Railbuses. The tourist trip up the 'Devils Nose' no longer starts at Riobamba, instead tourists are ferried to Alausi by bus, where the join the railbus for a rather short trip to Sibambe. It has been realised that more money can be made by running more shorter trips, than the longer trip form Riobamba, so most Sundays usually sees a Railbus departing from Alausi roughly every 45 minutes from about 8.30am. While I was there, they were using two Railbuses. 

A trip was undertaken to all of the workshops in the country and 12 steam locomotives were accounted for:

Duran:

No.11 is in working order, and in excellent external condition. Also present was No.7, which looked mostly complete, although some parts had been removed, and she was covered in about an inch of dust! The S&C marked tender of No.18 was present in the workshops as was a spare cab. There was no sign of a tender for No.7, so I guess this is currently attached to No.18?

The remains of No.55 are at the entrance to the workshop site, and in a scrapheap near by could be found the complete boiler of what looked like one of the large 2-8-0's. There was also a line of no less than 25 driving wheels present. The boats used to ferry people from Guayaquil to Duran were also stored in the yard, hauled up on to dry land, with a couple of them showing signs of a gas torch.

Workshop staff had little if any work to do, so were more than happy to give me a guided tour of the workshops and surrounding area.

Bucay:

The workshops were gated with an unpadlocked chain wrapped around it. I tentatively removed the chain and wondered in to the workshops, where I woke the Jefe, who was again pleased to have someone to talk 'railways'. Since the restoration and departure of No.58, Bucay is left with just No.44 and No.46. It seems like no work has been done on either loco since previous reports, both are still resting on blocks or old wagon bogies, with all driving wheels removed. 

Riobamba:

Workshop staff are busy here constructing three new coaches, and they are doing a real good job. They have taken the best of both worlds and are producing wooden bodies coaches that retain balcony ends, and partial clerestory roofing, but also have 'hatches' that allows access to the roof, where some guard rails are present.

No.53 is stored in working order, although the pony wheel had been removed for turning. There was no sign as to when it would be returned and next steamed.

No.15 is still stuffed and mounted with a caboose next to road leading up tot he workshops. It seems more or less complete, bar some of the cab fittings.

Quito:

No.18 is present and in working order, although both its air pumps have been removed for servicing. No.45 is also present, and suffering from a graffiti attack. The smokebox door has been removed and is resting on the floor of the workshop next to one of the original coach No.119, which still retains it original seating.

No.58 was stored there as of the 5th December, having undertaken a test run from Tambillo that day. The local press (including Television station) were present and witnessed No.58 haul a four car train consisting of a flat wagon (loaded with refueling equipment), a tank wagon, a Box car and one of the newly constructed Passenger coaches. The 35km run was undertaken with minimal of fuss - no derailments, the only problem being a road based water tanked did not turn up at the requested point, so the local fire service were called! A few low hanging telephone cables were successfully removed by the chimney, which resulted in a number of roof tiles being ripped from nearby roofs, narrowly missing the dumb-struck residents of Quito below, who were extremely happy to see steam return to the capital.

Tambillo:

No.58 was stored there prior to the test run on the 5th of December. No.17 is stored on the pit road in working order. Although local staff informed me that she was due to move down to Latacunga before too long. 

Ibarra:

No.14 is still stored in working order, undercover in an excellent external condition.

The Future?

It is hoped that the section between Quito and Tambillo will be open for operation (steam hauled) by the end of December this year, although there are doubts from some quarters that this will happen. Plans are also afoot to try and run a steam hauled service from Latacunga to Cotopaxi for tourists.

Things are moving in the right direction in Ecuador, but there is still a long way to go. Some people believe the whole line from Guayaquil to Quito should be restored, while others feel small sections should be managed locally and run for tourists. Some believe that major sections of the line will be open and operating regularly come September 2009, but unless a supplier of sleepers can be found quickly, this is unfortunately still a pipe dream.