Riobamba Off The Beaten Path

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Devils Nose Vid

The train departs very early from Riobamba (7.30am from memory) for this famous train journey to Alausi, called La Nariz del Diablo because of one section where the train has to get down a virtually sheer cliff face, which is supposed to resemble a nose.

The cost was $15 and you have the choice of sitting inside the train or on the roof. Some cushions were supplied as the roof of the train is made from corrugated iron and can get uncomfortable at times.

The weather started out pretty cold and wet but as the sun rose the roof of the train got hotter and wind chill factor of -10 started to dissapear.

Try and sit on the rear carriages so you can avoid the concentrated diesel fumes coming from the engine at the front.

The highlight of this adventure was derailing. Yes that's right we were riding on top of a train with sheer 200 foot drops only meters away from the tracks and the train came off the tracks and travelled along the dirt until it came to a screeching halt. It took a lot of time and effort to get the old train back on to the tracks. (2 hours) No one was injured. Get used to it folks, this is South America.