Imagine that you are riding a train past picturesque mountains and plains, admiring the stunning views from the window while drinking aromatic coffee ... Now imagine that your train is traveling very slowly, and even along a narrow road at an altitude of 3000 meters, which , by the way, runs along the edge of a steep gorge. Nice trip, right? It is unlikely that in this case you will ask for a window seat.
Well, everything railways from this issue differ from others precisely in that they are one of the most terrible in the world. All in all, the trip is not for the faint of heart.
Tren a las Nubes, Argentina
The name of this road, which was built in 1932, translates as "Train to the Clouds". And believe me, this name was given to her for a reason. The train departs once a week from the Argentine city of Salta, and then passengers are waiting for a 16-hour trip along the route of 424 km. The road was built solely for economic reasons, but now it only works for tourists. The path leads through tobacco fields and flat ranches, over 29 bridges and through 21 tunnels, and then the train climbs to an altitude of more than 4200 meters along the La Polvorilla viaduct, which makes Tren a las Nubes the third highest railway in the world. (AP/FOTOLIA)
White Pass and Yukon Route, Canada and USA
This 108-kilometer route connects the port of Alaska called Skagway - now a popular stop for cruise liners- and Carcross, and then - Whitehorse, the capital of the Canadian Yukon Territory. This narrow gauge railway was completed in 1900 at the end of the gold rush. The amazing road is famous for its steep ascents and descents, dozens of bridges and multiple turns on the edge of cliffs... all this against the backdrop of glaciers, mountains and waterfalls. (AP/FOTOLIA)
Nariz del Diablo, Ecuador
"Devil's Nose" isn't a bad name, is it? This road runs between Alausi, near the Andean city of Riobamba, and Palmyra, which lies about 80 km to the south. The train travels very slowly, giving passengers the opportunity to admire the "Avenue of Volcanoes" to their heart's content. Unfortunately, passengers are no longer allowed on the roof of the train, but it is possible to ride in an open trailer. The "Devil's Nose" itself is a small part of the route between the cities of Guayaquil and Quito, consisting of a steep ascent along a kind of "roller coaster". (AP/FOTOLIA)
The Georgetown Ring Railway is only 5 km long. Nevertheless, it has been one of the most popular attractions for more than a century. It travels from Georgetown, Colorado to the nearby city of Silver Plum, and in this short journey it rises sharply 195 m and passes through the picturesque mountains. Operates from May to December. (AP/FOTOLIA)
This 20-kilometer road in Norway, descending from 860 m from Mirdal to Port Flam, is so steep that the locomotives built specifically for it have five braking systems. On the route, the train passes 20 tunnels, while one of them is spiral. This is one of the steepest railways in the world with a gradient of 1 to 18. Sometimes spray and mist from nearby waterfalls hit the train. (AP/FOTOLIA)
More than 90,000 workers and 16,000 prisoners of war died during the construction of this 400-kilometer road between Bangkok and Myanmar. This historic construction was the basis for the films The Bridge on the River Kwai and Retribution starring Colin Firth. Now the trip along the preserved section of the route is very popular among visitors to Kanchanaburi. The train skirts sheer cliffs and passes over several wobbly-looking wooden bridges. (AP/FOTOLIA)
Trains on this route in the southern Rocky Mountains run in the summer and take passengers from the city of Chama in New Mexico through the Cabres Pass - the highest pass in the United States (3000 m). The train passes through numerous loops, overpasses and tunnels and then through the Toltec Gorge before finally stopping at the station in Antonito, Colorado. (ALAMY)
The highest railway crossing the Alps. The engineering marvels here are so impressive that the Bernina Express has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travelers are in for a truly dizzying ride between the cities of Chur and Tirano in Switzerland. In summer, passengers can enjoy wonderful local views by riding in an open carriage. And there is something to see here: tunnels, deep gorges and ravines. (AP/FOTOLIA)
The road, which was completed in 1891, runs from Cairns to the city of Kuranda. During the journey, which takes 1 hour and 45 minutes, the train passes over an impressive lattice viaduct that offers stunning views of Barron Falls and the Coral Sea. The path goes through national park Barron Gorge, past the falls and rainforest, and also passes 15 tunnels. (ALAMY)
The city of Rameshwaram on the island of Pamban is connected to mainland India by a 2 km bridge with 143 piers. This bridge, which opened in 1914, is a railway bridge, if you haven't guessed it yet. From here you have amazing views. Rameshwaram himself is considered sacred place and is very popular with pilgrims. (AP/FOTOLIA)
Imagine those who spent long hours and even days building this road in the terrible conditions of the Scottish outback. Sometimes only a helicopter could deliver provisions. The road passes through the largest flat swamp in Europe and the most desolate landscapes in Britain, home to deer, dunlin, golden plovers and merlins. (ALAMY)
The Darjeeling-Himalayan Railway, the Kalka-Shimla Railway and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway were built to serve the mountain stations at the time british india are still considered marvels of engineering to this day. Each line passes through the foot of the hills - (the first two in the Himalayas), and then go around the mountains higher and higher. The local trains are not the best example of comfort, and they travel very slowly, although all these shortcomings are compensated by dizzying views. (AP/FOTOLIA)
To somehow solve the problem with the primitive and unreliable railways notorious throughout the country, the Cambodians created their own network of "trains" from bamboo and old parts. These contraptions reach speeds of up to 40 km/h, are powered by tiny motors, and can carry a dozen passengers at a time. Cushioned trolleys are now eaten from Battambang to a village an hour away. The only problem is that if two of these "carts" meet on the way, then the one in which there are fewer passengers is manually removed from the road so that the second one can pass. (ALAMY)
These steep cableways and railroads were clearly not built for the faint of heart. Some of the most famous examples can be found in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, England and Japan. In the photo - a bright funicular from the Chilean town of Valparaiso. Perhaps some of our readers rode the funicular in Kiev, Odessa, Baku or Tbilisi. (AP/FOTOLIA)
There are millions of kilometers of railroad tracks on our planet. These rumbling roads are different: some are very dangerous, because they pass through mountain gorges or steep passes, while others pass through amazing places with magnificent scenery. In this review the most extreme and magnificent train routes in the world.
1. Argo-Gede Railway
The Argo Gede railway runs from Jakarta to Bandung in Indonesia. It passes over the very high Chikurutug Pylon Bridge and can give even the bravest man trembling knees as the train windows offer views of the subtropical valley dozens of meters below. And the fact that the bridge is notorious, because accidents occur here, gives a special thrill to the trip.
2. Bamboo trains
Cambodia
Trains in Cambodia were built by the French, but many of them were subsequently destroyed during the terrible Khmer Rouge regime. Then locals began to use "bamboo trains" on the laid railways - hand-made carts that moved along the rails. It was very dangerous, but today some of these carts have been fortified and are used as a tourist attraction.
3. Death Railroad
Surely many have heard or seen the cult war film "The Bridge on the River Kwai". The railway that crosses the bridge over the river, which was shown in the film, still exists today. The Death Railway, as the locals call it, is located in the Kanchanburi province of Thailand, close to the border with Myanmar.
It was here that hundreds of British and American prisoners of war died during the construction of the bridge during World War II. It is worth noting that the road is very picturesque and passes through a lush forest.
4. Aso Minami Route
Japan
One has only to imagine what it is like to ride a train that passes through active volcano. Believe it or not, the Aso Minami train route passes through Japan's most active volcanic region. No matter how well local authorities can predict when an eruption will occur, a sense of danger is spurred on by lava-scorched patches of forest near the canvas.
5. Devil's nose
Ecuador
The Nariz Del Diablo train route in Ecuador translates to "Devil's Nose". This railway, high in the Andes mountains, can scare anyone, as it is one of the most terrible roads in the world. It is located at an altitude of 3 kilometers.
6. Kuranda-Scenic Railway
The Kuranda-Scenic railway is breathtaking in its danger. She walks through a dense forest national park Barron Gorge. In some places, the train passes very close to the waterfalls, passing through the water suspension.
7. Chennai-Rameshwaram Bridge
India
Another amazing train route passes through a huge bridge 2065 meters long. The Pamdan Railway Bridge, built in 1914, spans an extremely low cantilevered sea bridge connecting South India with the island of Rameshwaram. Those. splashing sea water is visible from the windows of the train.
8. "Tren a las Nubes railway".
It took 27 years to complete this railway, which includes some of the world's most dangerous zigzags along mountain slopes. Tren a las Nubes in Argentina feels more like a plane ride than a train ride, as part of the journey passes through clouds high in the mountains on the Argentina-Chile border. The route is so long that it passes through 21 tunnels and 13 bridges.
9. White Pass and Yukon Route
Alaska, USA
The White Pass and Yukon Trail is a narrow gauge rail route that connects Skagway, Alaska, with Whitehorse, Yukon. There is nothing more deadly than this train route, which practically passes over sheer cliffs of huge cliffs.
The railway was built in 1898 at the height of the Klondike gold rush and was then actively used by gold prospectors. Today, however, it is only used as a tourist attraction.
10. Georgetown Loop Railroad
County Clear Creek,
The US is full of narrow gauge railroads, but this one in the Rocky Mountains is rightfully considered one of the most dangerous train routes in the world. It is located in Clear Creek County and was built to help prospectors get to the silver mines in the area.
The scariest part of the railway is the Devil's Gate Bridge, on which the train must move as slowly as possible, since the bridge could collapse at any moment.
In the event that you are planning to travel by train during the upcoming summer vacation, then you should familiarize yourself with the most dangerous train tracks that the faint of heart should avoid.
Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Train, South Africa
A unique railway track that runs right over the ocean. While driving on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Train, it feels like you are driving along the beach. It must be said that the view from the window, although beautiful, is at the same time creepy: you have to move at a great height and the fantasy treacherously begins to play scenes with the train falling into a bottomless abyss. Most passengers try not to look out of the window at this place, but simply drive with their eyes closed or reading a book.
Kuranda Scenic Railway, Australia
This is one of the most breathtaking and scenic stretches of railway in the world. The railway track is located on giant piles, which are installed along the mountain gorge. Waterfalls falling from the mountains are visible in the windows of the carriages and water splashes very often fall on the glass. You will not get such a breathtaking view on any other railway in Australia. At the same time, many find this area quite intimidating and prefer not to look out the window while driving.
Argo Gede Train Railroad,
This section of the railway passes over picturesque fields, which, if you do not dwell on the fact that you are moving at a great height, can impress with their beauty. In order to stimulate the production of adrenaline while overcoming this section, it is worth remembering that in 2002 a train derailed on this section of the road. Luckily, there were no casualties in that incident.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, New Mexico, USA
This railroad looks more like a nightmare ride in an amusement park than highway for the transport of passengers. Here you have to cross the shaky old paths over the abyss, and the mountain canyon, and dangerous ledges in the rocks. The engineer who built these structures clearly does not suffer from a fear of heights.
"Tren a las Nubes"
Bridges, zigzags, descents, ascents and tunnels - all this can be found when traveling by train from Salta to La Polvorilla. The construction of this railway track was carried out for several decades, the construction was so complicated and laborious. The road, planned in the early twenties, was opened only in the late forties.
Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff, United Kingdom
One of the craziest train journeys you can make is on a 500-foot cliff, which is also home to a private development. Small houses, green spaces, bridges, and among all this magnificence, a high-speed train rushes by, which rushes somewhere down a small green corridor.
White Pass & Yukon Route, Alaska, USA
This railroad is architectural monument and was built during the gold rush. A special train also runs along it, which can immerse you in the peculiar atmosphere of the excitement of gold diggers of the nineteenth century. About half a million tourists pass this way every year. The height of the building and the rather dilapidated appearance make the White Pass & Yukon Route quite an adrenaline jaunt.
Chennai-Rameswaram Route, India
This is a railroad track passing over Indian Ocean will help you get to Rameswaram Island. The path over the sea surface, about one and a half kilometers long, can become an insurmountable obstacle for especially impressionable people. This section of the track looks rather dilapidated and for good reason: it was built about a hundred years ago and has hardly been repaired since then.
Georgetown Loop Railroad, Colorado, USA
This railway bridge is located on the site of a former silver mine, and it is mainly used by tourists. The bridge rests on flimsy piles at a height of about thirty meters and you can be sure that you will get an unforgettable experience from this trip: at the very peak of its ascent to the bridge, the train slips and slows down a bit, which terrifies tourists.
Aso Minami route, Japan
This road is scary because it is in the area of action active volcanoes. The train is moving over an abyss that does not bode well. The bridge itself looks rusty and dilapidated. The eruption can begin at any moment, and this is especially exciting for tourists who understand that this bridge may be the last in their lives.
It must be said that the railway is the most safe view transport, incidents with which can be counted on the fingers. Despite the fact that most of the places described above look rather creepy, they are more than safe and do not pose a real threat to the life and health of tourists.
Usually people choose to travel by rail not only to get to their destination, but also to admire the surrounding landscape. There are also special train "cruises" that offer guests a leisurely journey through the country and stops at the most interesting places. But there are train journeys that are more suitable for those who like to tickle their nerves and throw a good portion of adrenaline into the body.
1. Tren a las Nubes. Province of Salta. Argentina
Tren a las Nubes is one of the three highest railways in the world, also known as the "Train in the Clouds", because along the way it often ends up either in the clouds or above them. The train departs from Salta and, after passing 434 km through 29 bridges, 21 tunnels, 13 viaducts, 2 spirals and 2 zigzags, arrives at the main destination of the journey - the La Polvorilla viaduct, which is located at an altitude of 4,220 meters above sea level. Curved viaduct, 224 meters long, is located at a height of 70 meters above the ground. Here the train slows down and slowly moves along the viaduct, giving you the opportunity not only to tickle your nerves, but also to take a photo or video, and there are also daredevils who lean out of the car to get the best shot.
2. White Pass and Yukon Route. Canada and USA
A 110-mile narrow gauge railway that links Skagway, Alaska, a popular port of call for cruise ships, and Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon. Construction of the road began in 1897, during the Gold Rush.
The road passes through the steep slopes of the mountains, climbing to White Pass. The path is laid through dozens of bridges, and sometimes passes along suspended tracks laid on steep slopes. All this takes place against the backdrop of glaciers, endless mountains and waterfalls.
3 Nariz del Diablo. Ecuador
"Devil's Nose" - this is the name of this journey, which takes place between the cities of Alausi and Palmyra in the foothills of the Andes. The train moves slowly to give passengers the opportunity to enjoy the spectacle of the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Unfortunately, travelers are no longer allowed to perch on the roofs of the wagons, from where they can get the best best photos. The "Devil's Nose" represents only part of the route, consisting of steep climbs through the mountains that can tickle the nerves of even the most intrepid travelers.
4. Georgetown Loop Railroad. USA
The Georgetown District Railroad is only 7.2 km long narrow gauge railway, rising to a height of 200 meters above sea level. The road is located in the Rocky Mountains in Clear Creek County, Colorado and is now used as a tourist route from April to December.
The road was built in 1894 between the communities of Georgetown and Silver Plum. Engineers have developed a very winding route that climbs uphill, sometimes at an angle that is sharp enough for railways. The road passes through 4 bridges, including the Devil's Gate Bridge.
5. The Death Railway. Thailand
Railway between Bangkok and Yangon. It is commonly referred to as "Death Road". 415 kilometers railway communication were built during the Second World War and more than 90,000 workers and 16,000 prisoners of war (Europeans and Australians) died during the construction of this road. The train goes on wooden flooring, reinforced on sheer cliffs. It crosses the Kwai River on an iron bridge and the Apalong River on a concrete bridge. The remaining 4 bridges of the railway - 90 meters across the Songkalia River, 56 meters across the Mekaza River, 75 meters across Zamiti and 60 meters across Anakui - are wooden and creak terribly when the train passes over them, causing tremors in the knees of tourists.
6 Bamboo trains Cambodia
Bamboo train in Cambodia. Struggling with their own country's primitive and unreliable railroads, the Cambodians took matters into their own hands, creating their own service using "trains" built from bamboo and discarded parts. The Spartan trolley is powered by a tiny motor and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h and carrying dozens of passengers.
There is only one question left - the road is single-track and you have to pull the cart off the tracks to let the oncoming train pass. Usually this falls to the lot of the “train” that is less loaded.
7. Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. USA
This narrow gauge road between Chama in New Mexico and Antonio in Colorado, rising to a height of 3,000 meters. The road was built in 1880 and began to be used as a tourist attraction in 1970, and in 1973 it was included in the US national register as a historical heritage.
The locomotive pulls the train along steep mountain slopes, viaducts, tunnels and bridges crossing rivers and valleys. Breathtaking views and steep climbs attract not only those who want to get a good share of adrenaline, there is something to see for lovers of antiquity or moviegoers.
A stop at Lobato gives the opportunity to watch the locomotive being filled with water. A water tower was built here, which was created specifically for the filming of the film in 1970, and later the third part of the film about Indiana Jones was filmed here.
8. Kuranda Scenic Railway. Australia
Railway between Cairns in Queensland and Kuranda. The road was completed in 1891. The length of the path is 37 km and the entire journey takes 1 hour 45 minutes.
The route passes through the Barron National Park, cutting through the gorge of the same name. The train makes several stops so that tourists can not only admire the waterfalls, but almost plunge into one of them. Stoney Creek Falls is only a few meters from the train. Having enjoyed the beauty, you can also have time to get scared, moving along the slopes of the gorge and crossing the river along the ancient bridge.
9. Nilgiri Mountain Railway. India
The Nilgiri mountain railway is a 46 km single track connecting Mettupalayam and Udaganadalam. Construction of the line began in 1899 and ended in 1908. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway was listed world heritage UNESCO in July 2005.
Traveling along this road does not take much time - 290 minutes if you go up and 215 minutes if you go down. But during this trip, the tourist has no time to relax and let go of the camera or video camera. 46 kilometers of road pass through 208 turns, 16 tunnels and 250 bridges, making you click the button endlessly, capturing breathtaking views.
10. West Highland Line. Scotland
Railway linking Malleg and Oban on west coast Scotland. In 2009, the line was named the best rail journey in the world.
The most exciting place on the road is the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which is 30 meters high and offers beautiful view to Lake Shil. By the way, it was at this viaduct that the Hogwarts Express was filmed in the Harry Potter films.
11. Outeniqua Choo Tjoe. South Africa
Outeniqua Choo Tjoe is the last railway in the world where a steam locomotive was used on a permanent basis as a draft force. The steam locomotives left the line only in June 2009, and the road itself was completed in 1928 and connected the cities of George and Knysna in the Western Cape.
67 kilometers of travel takes three hours. The ride goes through a winding coastline, sometimes almost at the very edge of the surf and crosses the lagoon in front of Knysna on a winding bridge.
Last year, the train stopped working, but the Ministry of Transport says they want to resume the movement of trains between cities.
And finally. If you want to tickle your nerves, South Asia trains are the place to be. According to statistics since 1980, the highest number of train wrecks has occurred in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Reports are filled with lists of victims of these accidents.
The railway is a convenient and popular mode of transport used by millions of people every day. Increasing the speed of transport has solved many problems, reducing the time spent by passengers on the road and delivering goods, and at the same time has created a lot of dangers for humans.
Each of us has to deal with the railroad: some more often, others less often, some students use rail transport, or cross railroad tracks when going to school, to training, etc .; some children are looking for adventure, and in the most unsuitable places for such fun: on the railway.
The main causes of injury to minors by railway rolling stock and electrocution of the contact network are ignorance and violation of the safety rules established in railway transport.
Attention should be paid to the spread of the youth informal movement "trainsurfing": young people, including minors, ride on the roofs of electric trains, intercar couplers, recording themselves on video cameras, and post the footage on their websites. At the same time, they expose their lives to mortal danger twice, both as a result of a fall from a rolling stock, and when receiving an electrical injury from an electrical shock to the contact network.
The Moscow Railway operates a 3000 volt direct current contact network. The wire of the contact network is located at a height of 5750 mm from the level of the rail head at the station and the stage. The distance from the lowest point of the wires of overhead power lines with a voltage of over 1000 V to the ground must be at least 6.0 m. The height of the railway car is 5300 mm. Thus, the distance from the contact wire to the roof of the car is about 0.5 m. The high voltage of 27.5 kV breaks through the air gap of 10 cm or more, depending on meteorological conditions (dry, wet weather). The voltage in the contact wire is 27500 V. If the electrical wiring in the house has a voltage of 220V and if it malfunctions, you can get a severe burn if touched, then given the huge voltage in the contact network, in order to get a fatal burn, it will be close enough to the contact wire at a distance of less than 2 meters. Therefore, all the cars standing on the tracks under the contact wire are already a zone of increased danger and climbing onto the roof of the cars - dooming yourself to a painful death in advance.
Features of a possible electric shock are that the action of subjective protection is blocked by the absence external signs threatening danger, which a person can usually detect in advance: see, hear, smell, etc. In most cases, a person is included in the electrical network due to accidental contact with the elements of the electrical circuit, either with his hands (the “hand-hand” current path) or with his hands and feet (the “hand-foot” current path). When the current flows along the “leg-leg” path, 0.4% of the total current passes through the heart, and 3.3% along the “hand-arm” path. The current flowing through a person acts not only at the points of contact and on the path of flow, but also reflexively - on the activity of other organs.
To avoid electric shock, it is strictly forbidden:
approach live wires or parts of the contact network at a distance of less than 2 m;
climb the roofs of wagons, locomotives;
touch the electrical equipment of the electric rolling stock both directly and through any objects;
climb on the roofs of buildings and structures located under the wires, on the metal structures of railway bridges;
approach sagging and broken wires, regardless of whether they touch the ground or not, at a distance of less than 8 meters;
throw foreign objects on the wires.
Trains on railways follow at a speed of 60 - 120 km / h. If we take the maximum speed, then according to the calculation, the train will cover 2 km in 1 minute, and 33.3 m in 1 second. A train travels a distance of 55 meters in 1 second. The unexpected appearance of a person on the tracks can lead to an accident and disruption of train traffic, and sudden braking can lead to a train crash with the death of many people.
If you follow the tracks, you can find yourself between two oncoming trains and a person can be pulled under the wheels by an air whirlwind, and he will die.
The braking distance, depending on the mass and speed of the train, is from 700 to 1000 meters, and this is a very significant distance.
You should pay attention to the yellow security line that runs along the entire platform. There were cases when passengers were hit and injured by rolling stock. There are many cases of people falling between the platform and the still moving electric train.
Rules for safe behavior on the railway
The main causes of injury to citizens by railway rolling stock are ignorance and violation of safety rules when in the area of railway tracks, unjustified haste and carelessness, unwillingness to use transitional bridges, tunnels and decks, and sometimes mischief, hooliganism and games, both on the railway tracks and on territory adjacent to them.
It is not easy to stop a moving train. And it takes at least five to six seconds for a pedestrian to cross a railroad track. Moreover, young people love to listen to music and do not take off the player's headphones when crossing paths. They do not even hear the train whistle, and their visual attention is focused on how it is more convenient to cross the rails.
Only at first glance, stationary cars seem safe. You can’t get closer than five meters to them, and you can’t crawl under the cars: every car at the station is in operation, so it can start moving at any second. If any protrusion or lever of the car catches on the clothes of a gaping person, he will be pulled under the wheels.
The force of the air flow created by two oncoming trains is 16 tons, with such a load a person can easily be pulled under the train. Therefore, you can not cross the railway tracks where it is convenient to save time.
It is necessary to cross and cross railway tracks only in specially designated places. For safe crossing, there are specially equipped pedestrian crossings, tunnels, bridges, railway crossings. If you have to cross an unguarded crossing, carefully follow the signals given by technical means, make sure you can't see the approaching train. It is strictly forbidden to pass through a railway crossing with a prohibitory signal of the traffic light of the crossing signaling, regardless of the position and presence of the barrier.
Schoolchildren, we remind you: when you are at the facilities railway transport observe safety measures! Be careful and careful - take care of your life!
Compiled by: Subbotina T.V.
