Re: Disaster on the the G & Q Ecuador. Update as of April 1. Tour Operators suckered.

Michael,

As you know from the discussions we have had and the personal tour that my Wife and I made to Quito had determined the facts in January.

We canceled our projected tour based on the situation in Ecuador before everyone else. We were not suckered by the railroad, tour operators or anyone else. Our company took the time and cost of traveling to Ecuador to determine the facts. Our company is concentratiing on a tour to Patagonia on La Trochita narrow gauge during October 2009. Check the announcements on Trainorders.com excursions for details.

If other tour operators did not take the time to research the true situation, then it is their fault. It is the responsiblity of reputable tour operators to find out the facts before hand.

Our company is fortunate that we did not schedule a tour for 2009 and have to make explainations to our customers that the railroad would not operate as presented to us in late 2008.

Farail tours asked us to check into the tour situation in Ecuador and he canceled after finding out that no steam would operate in 2009. This was discovered in early March 2009.

Why did it take so long for other operators to find out the same facts. We went and called the General Manager in Quito and he told us no steam on the Devils Nose in March, 2009.

Still begs the question who do you trust?

Dale Brown
Wings and Rails International Expeditions

www.wingsandrails.com