Uploaded October 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The 965km Guayaquil & Quito Railway in Ecuador runs from the town of Guayaquil (Duran) at sea level, into the Andean foothills, across the Devils Nose zig-zag and a summit at Urbina (3616m) to Quito, 2850m above sea level. After years of neglect the line was re-opened in 2013. At the time of my visit steam traction had returned to some sections but the remainder used diesel locomotives. Currently the line is only used by tourist trains with no regular passenger of freight services.
The 965km Guayaquil & Quito Railway in Ecuador runs from the town of Guayaquil (Duran) at sea level, into the Andean foothills, across the Devils Nose zig-zag and a summit at Urbina (3616m) to Quito, 2850m above sea level. After years of neglect the line was re-opened in 2013. At the time of my visit steam traction had returned to some sections but the remainder used diesel locomotives. Currently the line is only used by tourist trains with no regular passenger of freight services.
