Category Archives: R. Doug Wicker

The Devil’s Nose train

The scenery along the Devil’s Nose train route is quite awesome, even on a cloudy day:

Devil’s Nose train route

Patches of green stand like islands amidst a sea of dark gray rocks and steep drops to the river far below:

Tracks ahead

Devil’s Nose train route

The portion that gives the Devil’s Nose route it’s name is a tall mountain on which a crisscrossing mesh of railroad tracks were installed by some 4,000 Jamaican and Puerto Rican laborers who slaved away for what amounted to 4¢ a day. For that pitiful sum about half of those workers would perish during the construction. To make the steep descent down to Sibambe Station, or the climb back toward Alusí, the train must reverse over several sidings along the face of the Devil’s Nose mountain.

Switchbacks on the Devil’s Nose

From high above you’ll get your first glance at the Sibambe Station, as well as some abandoned equipment alongside the tracks:

Sibambe Station

Abandoned cars

Reaching the valley below, the track straightens out as it makes its way through cut rock alongside a flowing stream:

Devil’s Nose train route

Devil’s Nose train route

La Nariz del Diablo train

Our primary purpose in Alusí was not the town itself, although it was fun to photograph. Our objective on this leg was a train ride, the famous Devil’s Nose. So, let’s settle into our reserved seats and start the trip, shall we?

Aboard La Nariz del Diablo — The Devil’s Nose

As you can tell, La Nariz del Diable Tren (The Devil’s Nose Train) is a throwback to an earlier era of train travel, with the cars replete with varnished wood. The train ride covers about 7.5 miles/12 kilometers, and at the end of the run in Sibambe the train will have descended some 500 feet/150 meters. The trip takes 2½ hours, including an hour in Sibambe to stretch one’s legs, get some refreshment, and watch native people dance for the tourists.

Bridging the gorge

Along the way you’ll see some spectacular scenery, such as captured in these images from our February 18, 2016 train trip:

Devil’s Nose train route

Devil’s Nose train route

Devil’s Nose train route

Devil’s Nose train route

Bridging the gorge

Devil’s Nose train route

Devil’s Nose train route