Re: G&Q Railroad Future

Unlikely any freight. Most freight moves more timely by truck. The tourists trains will not pay for the rebuilding. Rebuilding is the idea of the Countries President. He wants to show that Ecuador can be like the rest of the world and have a railroad. He is also a socialist and wants to employ his countrymen. However few have benefited from this project and the local tourist operators are sceptical of the Railroad Management.

Bottom line, oil revenues are down. Money has stopped flowing to the railroad. Work that was suppose to start this year is not scheduled to start yet.

What will happen? New railcars, repainted stations and about 50 Km. of rebuilt track have come out of this project. Some steam locos are now in positions where they can operate. However the tour operators have them listed as doubleheaded out of Sibambe to Riobamba on selected tours. Who will pay to move the locos by highway back to Riobamba, Government, operators or touristas?

Wait till next year, then decide if the railroad is being rebuilt.

Dale Brown