The Tren a las Nubes runs as a tourist train in northwest Argentina. The "train into the clouds" climbs from here Salta (1187 m) on 217 km a breathtaking railway line into the Argentine Andes. The highlight of the day trip is the "La Polvorilla" viaduct at an altitude of 4220 m.
The tourist train was idle due to the poor condition of the locomotives and the route in 2006 and 2007. It started again at the end of 2007 with a new operating company.
background
The construction of the route by Argentina across the Andes to Chile began in 1922. The line could only be inaugurated after a construction period of 27 years. The route was originally created due to mining (saltpeter extraction).
A tourist train has been running for people to the Andes since 1970. The service was closed between 2006 and 2008 due to the poor condition of the route, but has been operating again since then - with prices significantly higher than before.
Various works of art had to be erected so that the train could climb over 3000 meters with an incline of only 25% (= 2.5%). A total of 44 bridges, 21 tunnels, 2 switchbacks and 2 reversing loops were built.
preparation
As the train leads to an altitude of over 4,000 meters, altitude sickness can occur. In general, you should be in good shape, preferably eat little beforehand and not exert yourself too much. If you come from heights immediately before you start your journey, you shouldn't have any difficulties. Asthmatics should definitely take precautions against shortness of breath, even if medical professionals are on board who will provide oxygen equipment in an emergency.
Travel time
The train runs between November and April in the South American summer. In the Andes there is usually a dry desert climate. The journey takes about 15 hours.
getting there
The train
The diesel-electric train has 10 comfortably equipped 1st class wagons with air conditioning. The locomotive has a fuel consumption of 6 liters of diesel with an output of 2475 hp per kilometer. A total of 640 passengers can travel on the train. Gastronomy is of course also on board. Folklore performances take place on the train along the way. The greatest experience is of course the sometimes grandiose view from the train window.
Medical care is on board the train. Every traveler has to decide for himself whether the use of an oxygen mask or chewing coca leaves is the better choice as an antidote to the high altitude.
The journey starts in the morning at 7:00 a.m. in Salta. At 10 p.m. the train returns to the city after more than 400 km. The train travels at an average speed of around 25 km / h.
The price is currently (end of 2008) at US $ 140, there is a reduced tariff for residents in Argentina (US $ 100) and those in Salta (US $ 60).
route
- Salta (1187 m) - Starting point of the day trip
- Alvarado (1207 m)
- Cerrillos (1260 m)
- Rosario de Lerna (1332 m)
- Campo Quijano (1520 m)
- V. Toledo (1587 m)
- El Alisal (1806 m)
- El Chorrillos (2111 m) - Second hairpin with a 90 m long dead end tunnel.
- Ingeniero Maury (2358 m)
- Gobernador Solá (2550 m)
- Puerta De Tastil (2675 m)
- Tacuara (3036 m)
- Meseta (2844 m)
- Diego de Almagro (3503 m)
- Incahuasi (3553 m)
- Cachinal (3739 m)
- Muñano (3952 m)
- Los Patos (3842 m)
- San Antonio de los Cobres (3774 m) - Capital of the "Puna" plateau in the Andes with approx. 3700 inhabitants. There is a dry desert climate. Locals sell handmade handicrafts at the train station. The main line of business is mining.
- Mina Concordia (4144 m) - small village in the Puna
- Viaduct La Polvorilla (4250 m) - End of the journey with a break. The steel viaduct "La Polvorilla" is 63 m high. Six lattice towers support the 224 m long structure. The structure weighs approx. 1,600 tons. The construction was very difficult, as the temperatures here fluctuate between -25 ° Celsius at night and up to 35 ° Celsius during the day.
- When the train slowly crawls over the railless bridge, the traveler can feel as if they are floating on clouds. Hence the name: "Tren a las Nubes" - train into the clouds.
- Attention Currently the train only runs between San Antonio de los Cobres and Viadukt la Polvorilla. There is a bus from Salta to San Antonio. (As of March 2018)
security
trips
literature
Web links
- Official side of the train - Spanish
