Traveling Ecuador by train | DW Documentary

The train line through Ecuador is considered one of the most spectacular train lines in South America. A train journey of discovery.

The Trans-Andean railroad takes in the infamous Nariz del Diablo, or Devil’s Nose, a mountain with almost perpendicular walls. To overcome this obstacle, the train zigzags to ascend 500 meters in less than 12 kilometers. With steep ascents and descents, it’s no ride for the faint-hearted! The main line along the country’s Andean spine links the coastal city of Guayaquil with the capital Quito. It was finished in 1908, but was mostly shut down after a series of weather-related disasters destroyed much of the Ecuadorian rail network in the 1990s. After extensive restoration, a new cross-Andean service was opened in 2013, following the original narrow-gauge line. It’s 450 kilometers long and runs from the Pacific coast up to the Andean highlands. On its cross-country journey, the train is accompanied by guards on motorcycles who, in the absence of railway gates, stop traffic at every level crossing along the way to let the train pass. The Tren Crucero, - or "cruise train"- is the centerpiece of Ecuador’s rejuvenated railway. A revamped luxury steam train, it runs once a fortnight and has room for 54 passengers. The most exhilarating stretch of the ride begins deep down in the gorge of the River Chanchán. The train zigzags up the Nariz del Diablo - the "Devil's Nose" - in a series of dizzying switchbacks in which the tracks almost seem to lie on top of each other. Join the reporters for the ride of a lifetime, as the train journeys on to Urbina, the highest station at 3,609 meters above sea level, and along the so-called Avenue of Volcanoes, to the Cotopaxi National Park and onwards to Quito, the world's highest capital.

Original release date: 2015
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[adamchase]

Omg you don’t understand how much I love these travelling by train documentaries

[Joaocruz]

I said once and say it AGAIN. YOUR documentaries are the best! PBS CNN ABC? Nah! DW! because you really show the world! not only your part or the agenda front! The real one! Thank you very much! Congratulations and cheers from Portugal

[Malothvasya]

By watching this video, makes me definitely want to visit Ecuador. From Telangana, India

[silvestercheptumo]

Ecuador is absolutely amazing. Much love from Kenya

[budte]

I am British and married to an Ecuadorian. It is a stunning country with some very friendly people, but if you are a visitor remember they also have poverty and crime. Those bike riders to the train are not just for traffic control, they are for protection.

[donsdesignideas]

I’m from the Philippines and I once had a teacher in spanish class who’s from Ecuador. She is a nice lady. I hope one day I could visit Ecuador and the Galapagos island.

[jonmoniboruah]

It's my great privilege to watch this beautiful country ECUADOR, my heaviest thanks to DW for this wonderful documentry. Love from India

[elenapopa]

I am European and South America sounds so far from me. Lately I started watching documentaries about these countries and I am truly fascinated. Just wow, what marvelous people and places!

[winmtwn]

Wow.! Beautiful ecuador love from indonesia 🇮🇩

[ExpatNatt]

Train journeys are just so relaxing to me. I’d love to do this one day. Thanks for educating me more about the locals and Ecuador!

[pangetcako]

Beautiful ecuador! I wish to visit and ride this train. Thank you DW for showing us the paradise ecuador.
From philippines here.

[ByzantineCapitalManagement]

Why do people Even Watch BBC when You have DW?!Its Quality!

[syedaslam]

The last ice merchant is amazing and his donkey's job is incredible

[Gachungalia]

Very beautiful country indeed. I would love to visit once I learn Spanish. Much love from Kenya

[tatac]

I dont know why ecuador is not more touristy.. This country is awesome and you get to see the 4 worlds all in one small place.
I will be traveling again this year from New Jersey

[sophiachrist]

I knew that Jamaicans worked on the Panama Canal, but I didn't know we also worked building railways in Ecuador! You learn something new everyday!

[rickypermana]

At the begining, I just knew Equador from a map, after that from football and then now DW report. No doubt, Equador has uniqly culture, beautiful Scenery and people are friendly.

[mdkhaled]

From Bangladesh... Thanks a lot to DW ... And love to Ecuador people...such a beautiful country .. Thanks to Almighty for creating such a nice country n it's people (specially Iceman)

[gearbd]

i am from Bangladesh. wow what a train !!! i wanna go there..lovely country ecuador.

[vikalpverma]

DW has the best new age rail documentary, especially with regards to less popular countries. Train travels while exploring the country is just nostalgic, I loved the one's on Iran and Uzbekistan. Would be travelling both of these countires in near future. Keep up the good work. I feel they will be more popular 10 years from now, keep creating this series. Would love to even work on these with you guys, just being a part of your work would make my soul happy.