Re: ECUADOR RAILWAYS ARISE FROM THE DEAD - How two Japanese lost their heads!

The story is very interesting and illustrates language problems. It was autoferro 97 doing the daily Riobamba to Alausi service. As it approached Guamote about 400 yards out after crossing the bridge it discovered the electricity company had installed a new cable across the track about 8 feet above ground. They did not think there were any trains and laid it at low level intending to come back and finish the job after lunch.

As the train approached the cable somebody saw the problem and shouted "duck" in English. The two unfortunate Japanese thought it was a bird and stood up to have a better look and promptly got decapitated. I know it sounds crazy but that is what happened.

The only bright side is that two nondescript Japanese are now world famous - even to the extent of being mentioned on the Narrow Gauge Forum - and have a shrine alongside the track dedicated to them and everytime the train passes by the passengers attention is directed to the shrine.

It was the only accident in 100 years but the reaction was overkill in that all roof riding was banned. This was later relaxed and now there are rails and everyone has to remain seated.You can still ride the roof on some trains but all the new ones do not have the facility.

Michael Grimes