American steam back in service in Ecuador

Trevor Heath · **Posted:** Tue Mar 26, 2013 3:54 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WpFioWE ... video_user

tomgears · **Posted:** Wed Mar 27, 2013 10:26 am

Thanks Trevor,

Ecuador is the Cinderella story of rail preservation. In my mind it's the equivalent of the Colorado narrow gauge system being rebuilt for through trains.

usrailtech · **Joined:** Wed Apr 03, 2013 1:27 pm **Posts:** 10

This is very true, having spent 2 weeks there and helping to get the # 53 out the door was truly a once in a lifetime event. This was just the first step in a long process. They are planning to re-build at least 5 more locomotives, and I hope I can go back. Glad to see our video out there, that day almost brought tears to my eyes seeing the smiles on the faces of the people as the train went by, and the young kids that were so excited. I will keep Ya'll updated on any news!

Trevor Heath · **Posted:** Fri Apr 05, 2013 11:38 am

Indeed Tom this news in 2013 is amazing. Similar to Eritrea a decade ago.

Latest news is that regular steam service using numbers 17 and 53 will re-start on June 4th.

"US Rail Tech" can you describe how you got involved, where the mechanical overhauls were done and by who.

Do you have images of the restored number 17?

Thanks,

TH

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Fri Apr 05, 2013 11:56 am

What happened to Wasatch's involvement?

whodom · **Posted:** Fri Apr 05, 2013 12:52 pm

softwerkslex wrote:

What happened to Wasatch's involvement?

Check the thread about this on the Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum for details. There is a dispute regarding Wasatch's contract.

usrailtech · **Joined:** Wed Apr 03, 2013 1:27 pm **Posts:** 10

Greetings, I was contacted by a fellow consultant about this project, and It was exciting to say the least. I contacted Richard Grigsby and He agreed to go with me. we solved a couple of the problems they were having, and help 2 weeks of classes on operation and maintenance. At this time I am limited on some details of this project, but the # 11 and its tender are the units being re-built at this time, when we left they were getting ready to set the Boiler on the # 11, it was being shipped from Quito. We hope to be going back in the near future, and will keep all updated as we can. If you saw the video, you can see how happy some of the folks were when we went to Yaguachi, they had a big celebration!