'Round the World again *LINK* *PIC*

Posting slides creates all kinds of discoveries. While going through my old Argentine slides I rediscovered a bunch of pix taken on the legendary "Ramal C-14", a spectacular transandino route from Salta in northern Argentina to Antofagasta in Chile. In addition to posting more pix than I had planned to, I did a little googling and found a fascinating website about C-14. I had forgotten how spectacular this line is...two switch backs, two complete loops, high trestles, miles of stark antiplano scenery, and the third highest railroad pass in the world (15,800 feet). The locals have dubbed it "el tren a las nubes"...train to the clouds. It was not completed until about 1948, and was powered by massive (by meter gauge standards) 2-10-2's built by Skoda in 1949. This site, while in Spanish (which should not be a problem for anyone spending much time in Chama), is just full of fascinating information and pictures. The site is definitely worth exploring...click a few of the links. While dieselized, at least the line appears to be still in service.
Finally, I have also posted a couple of pix of the Guayaquil & Quito including Devils Nose, one of which is included with this posting. The Devils Nose shot was take in 2003 on a Trains Unlimited tour hosted by Dale Brown and his wife.
That website is now maxed out, but because I am a strong believer that less is more, in a few days some pix will start disappearring so that I can go on to South Africa and Europe.
Now back to your regular scheduled programming.
John West aka El Pepsi