Switchbacks
Forward and reverse.
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One of South America's most famous train rides, on a stretch of Ecuador's historic railway between coast and mountains, descending from the town of Alausí to Sibambe station across a near-vertical rock mountain called the Devil's Nose. The train could not go around the mountain, so in the early twentieth century engineers cut a zigzag route into its face, on which the train runs forward then reverses over successive switchbacks to descend the steep slope. It was built at a heavy cost in workers' lives and is often called one of the most difficult railways in the world. The return trip takes about two and a half hours, with views over the deep valley and the Chanchán River, and a stop at Sibambe station where local communities perform traditional dances, with craft stalls and a lookout over the mountain. The train usually runs Thursday to Sunday and on holidays, with three departures a day, but it has stopped at times after landslides, so check its status and book ahead before going.
Forward and reverse.
Chanchán River.
Traditional dances.
Alausí station, about two hours south of Riobamba
No, it usually runs Thursday to Sunday and on holidays with three departures, and may stop after landslides, so check before going.