The Narrow Gauge In Ecuador comes back to life. Massive changes.

I am happy to report very good news on the narrow gauge in Ecuador.

The rebuilding of the railway is starting to show results and I attach the latest situation, section by section. New trains have been added and it is now only a matter of time until through trains run again from Quito to Guayaquil (Duran).

The following is a current rundown and I attach photos of the revitalised Duran to Yaguachi section (Loco No. 11), a diesel pulling out of Alausi and three different kinds of railcar in Tambillo.

For about three thousand more photos go to my website www.railwayinternational.com!

As for steam it has a very bright future with five engines currently under overhaul. It is expected that Nos. 11, 14, 17, 18, 53 and 58 will be all in service in 2011. Ecuador is set to be the steam paradise of South America.

Duran to Yaguachi..
Rebuilt. Two trains daily Thursday to Sunday. This is really a phoenix arising.The line can now take full heavyweight diesel trains as well as autoferro and steam.

Yaguachi to Milagro.
Work being done. Might have service end 2010. HOWEVER, the city of Milagro has refused to allow any trains into or through it! Interesting to see what happens.

Milagro to Bucay.
Dead for the moment due to Milagros problems.

Bucay to Huigra.
Major landslide problems. Might be ready early 2011.

Huigra to Sibambe.
God knows! It was to be ready this year but my bet is late 2011, if by then. Landslides and bridge out have caused chaos.

Sibambe to Palmira via Alausi
This is the latest casualty in the winter landslide disaster and all available resources are being poured into getting it back working as it is the major revenue earner. The best current estimate is that the Devils Nose (Sibambe to Alausi) might be ready by Christmas with Alausi to Palmira by February 2011.

Palmira to Riobamba
One daily autoferro.

Riobamba to Urbina.Operational. Just no trains..

Urbina to Mocha.
Could be ready with little work. No immediate plans.

Mocha to Latacunga.
This is very much in the lap of the Gods but it just might be ready by the end of 2011.

Latacunga to Quito.
This the newly reopened section and now sees one through train on Thu, Fri, Sat and Sunday with an autoferro. On the same days another autoferro does three round trips from Machachi (which of course is nowhere near Machachi but in the middle of nowhere) to El Boliche for Cotopaxi though the logic of this is hard to fathom.

Interestingly, two trains are timetabled on Saturday and Sunday mornings from Quito to Machachi with no return workings so they must be piling the trains up in Machachi!

Ibarra to Primer Paso.
One train on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday but only as far as Salinas as the track has got so bad between Salinas and Primer Paso. They are hoping to have this section ready manana.

Primer Paso to Lita.
In the God knows when department! But there are good intentions.

Lita to El Progresso.
Track actually operationa. Just no trains.

El Progresso to San Lorenzo.
Service cut from two per day to one per day.

THE MASTER PLAN
The master plan is for Quito to Guayaquil(Duran) to be ready by 2011 and Ibarra to San Lorenzo by 2012. I could see, myself the mainline to Guayaquil ready by 2012 and Ibarra to San Lorenzo by 2012 and possibly Quito to San Lorenzo by 2014. But at least now there is a plan and I personally believe the new Railway Board mean business. The only question is when. And do not forget the unknown unknowns – the winter landslides which can destroy any plans.

EQUIPMENT
There are expected to be four serviceable Alsthom diesels, one for Ibarra, Quito, Riobamba, Bucay and Duran. At the moment three are available. Railcars will now be augmented by 110, 111, 112 now that Metropolitan are no longer using them. I hope to have a full equipment list and where it is shortly.