There used to be an extensive railroad system in Ecuador, but several earthquakes have rendered most of the rail network unusable. They are working to restore the Nariz del Diablo (Devils' Nose) segment to service. What does exist are some railroad tours designed for tourists and priced accordingly. The scenery is guaranteed to be magnificent.
Ecuador is very mountainous and has lots of rivers wider than the Mississippi and more rapid than the Colorado. The railroads were mostly designed by American engineers. There are few places on Earth less conducive to railroad building that Ecuador, though Bolivia and Chile are surely runners-up.
You are really missing something by limiting your travels to this country. It is not that the US is boring, far from it: but it is not nearly so fascinating as even Mexico. As for getting sick, I have had several kinds of diarrhea, stomach parasites, and one night I was on a bus that flipped over on the way down a mountain near Orizaba, Veracruz. I woke up at 2:00 AM and the bus was on its side and lots of people were screaming. No one died, but the Cruz Verde ambulance made four trips to the Orizaba hospital before Omnibus de Mexico sent a bus to pick up those that were unharmed. I used my Boy Scout skills at tourniquets a couple of times.
Mexico is one of the most fascinating places on the planet, by the way. I used to make a few pesos by working as an unofficial guide in Mexico City, because I knew how to get a half dozen small but interesting museums opened with only small bribes and dinners with the curators. It was easy to find monolingual American in the Alameda Park, arguing with taxi drivers. I was good at mediating between them. After that, I would get offers to serve as a guide. I was vague about my fees, I just said "pay me whatever you think it is worth", and I was never disappointed. Of course, there were some truly obnoxious Americanos I declined to show around.
Most trips were uneventful. I took the train all the way from Kansas City to Mexico City once. We changed from the Missouri Pacific Texas Eagle to the Nacionales de Mexico at Laredo and it took almost three days more to get to Mexico City, because there was an accident north of San Luis and the Aguila Azteca was rerouted through Torreon and Durango: lok at a map, it was a huge detour. Before we got to Mexico City, the AC was broken and they were out of food and even beer. After that, I took buses. Mexico has great bus service. Looking back on that trip and the misery all us passengers suffered made for some interesting memories. It is no longer possible to take the train from San Antonio to Laredo. This was before Amtrak, which was established in '71.
Despite all the problems, I would not trade my travels for a dozen Disneyland and/or Six Flags passes and a year at any Club Med. I am no fan of artificial travels like guided tours and cruises. I can meet American insurance salesmen and pharma reps in Miami Beach, if I so desire.
The scenery is always interesting if there are jungles and mountains, but the people I have met have always been the most fun. When I went to Ecuador, I had a nice long chat with a Miss Ecuador contestant between Cuenca and Quito. I think she was Miss Loja. Really beautiful and smart.
The key to a great trip, of course, is speaking the language.
The American community in Vilcabamba meets around the town square daily. They are untypical Americans, and have lots of interesting stories. They organize school trips and language classes for the locals and are the nicest bunch of expats I have met anywhere. Vilcabamba (it means sacred valley) is one of those few places on Earth noted for the extreme longevity of the inhabitants. There are supposed to be five citizens over 105 there, but I did not meet any of them. The hostel where I stayed had a spa and a swimming pool, a decent restaurant and a pool hall and cost I think $25 per day, including breakfast. There was TV and Internet. Vilcabamba has the ideal climate, because of the altitude (1500 mts., 4950 ft) . The restaurant on the right side of the church always has a 50ยข meal to encourage the locals to visit: the owner is a woman who loves to invent different dishes. Prices on these were under $7.00 and you will not leave hungry.
Ecuadoreans are very fond of lentils, and often one of the three vegetables on the comida especial is popcorn. Every meal includes rice. Ecuadorean rice is pretty much flavorless. In Quito's Mariscal District (where the backpacker hostels are) they have mastered the hamburger. The schwarmas (sort of a Lebanese gyro) are also terrific. The best local dish, in my opinion is the llapingacho.
http://laylita.com/recipes/2008/04/07/llapingachos-or-stuffed-potato-patties/Ecuuadoreans could do great Mexican food if only they had some yellow cheddar cheese and pinto beans. Mozarella and black beans do not cut it.
Vilcabamba would be my favorite place if there were some Dominicanas about. (one would be adequate.) But alas, there are not.