The Nariz del Diablo ("Devil's Nose") is a mountain prominence along Ecuador's rail system formed by the convergence of two rivers. To get the train down the steep canyon walls engineers designed a series of switchbacks where the engine reverses direction twice during the 500m decent. This section of track was built a century ago with immigrant labor from the Caribbean, many of whom permanently settled in the country. In total, an estimated 2,000 workers died during construction, leading many locals to believe the project was cursed and giving rise to the mountain's ominous name.
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