I refer to the new Travel Unlimited Tours newsletter of February 15, 2009 extolling the magnificent tour they are offering in Ecuador this year and it appears to be I am living in another planet as the railroad I know seems to bear little resemblance to the one described in the brochure.
On the one hand I do not want to do anything to hurt our chances of getting tourists and railfans but on the other it does nobody any good if things are promised which are blatantly impossible. In my book truth in advertising gets you more business in the end so I am greatly concerned at what is being offered for the following reasons which I give after the quote from the brochure.
*TWO STEAM TRAINS ON DEVIL’S NOSE SWITCHBACKS PLUS A RAILCAR
*RARE DOUBLEHEADER DEVIL’S NOSE TO ALAUSI UP THE STEEP ALAUSI LOOPS
*BALDWIN 2-8-0’s DOUBLEHEADING ALAUSI TO GUAMOTE ON THE 5.7% GRADES
*LINESIDE A BALDWIN 2-8-0 STEAM PHOTO FREIGHT GUAMOTE TO
Right now we cannot run either a diesel or steam from Riobamba to Sibambe. In my opinion - and it is only an opinion - 53 or 58 are too heavy for the track and it will take a miracle to have the track ready for them. Further 17 is in Quito right now as is 18 and 58 so I do not know how 58 will get to Sibambe.
RIOBAMBA
*AUTOFERRO EXCURSION IN PART OF THE RUGGED CHAN CHAN RIVER CANYON
Right now the track is closed and I know of no plans to reinstate the missing bridges this year.
*TWO STEAM LOCMOTIVES USED IN THE AVENUE OF THE VOLCANOES
From where to where? Right now El Boliche to Latacunga is closed and just might and it is a big might, be open by September.
*STEAM WITH A BALDWIN 2-6-0 FROM IBARRA TO SALINAS & RETURN
I don't honestly think there is a cats chance in Hell. And as for turning on the wye with No. 14 at Salinas there was no wye when I last looked and again I know of no plans to have one. For that matter I know of no plans to even run steam anywhere from ibarra.
*RAILCAR BETWEEN IBARRA TO PRIMER PASO & RETURN. WILL ALSO BE USED
AS A PACIER VECHICLE IBARRA-SALINAS-IBARRA RUNNING IN FRONT OF THE
STEAM CHARTER FOR FANTASTIC ACTION PHTOS AND VIDEO FROM THE ROOF
*EXTRA SIGHTSEEING OFFERED TO THE WIVES & SOFTCORE RAILFANS
I really think this is bullshit.
Now, I may be totally wrong and nobody more than I would wish to be proven so as I want to see all the above happen but perhaps Travel Unlimited would take this forum to tell us what arrangements they have with the railway management and what they have been guaranteed as from my end I do not think they even have any arrangement.
I do believe that Travel Unlimited have a little explaining to do and they might also explain how peoples money given to them is protected.
Michael Grimes
Michael Grimes
