Tren a las Nubes: take a mythical train to Argentina
Located 4000 meters above sea level in the Andes, the Tren a las Nubes or “Travel of clouds” is one of the highest railways in the world. He starts his journey from the city of Salta, Argentina at an altitude of 1187 meters, crosses the Valle de Lerma , penetrates into the Quebrada del Toro and finally complete his journey to the viaduct of the Polvorilla (4220 meters). During the trip 4 p.m. , the train runs 217 km and climbs an impressive 3,000 meters high. It crosses 29 bridges, 12 viaducts, 21 tunnels, borrows two helicoidal loops (rail technique for high slopes) and two laces (or zigzags). The Train des Nuages derives its name from the many clouds that are often seen under the bridges and on the slopes of the mountains.
Also read: The 10 most beautiful travels by train in the world 
The route was established in the 1920s by American engineer Ricardo Fontaine Maury, who was in charge of the project. He designed one single system supported by various works (ponts, tunnels, etc...). The zigzags (or laces) allow the train to climb the mountain by round-trips parallel to the slope. Maury did not use a funicular or cremailer railway that are normally used for steep slopes, relying instead on zigzags to gain altitude.
The Train des Nuages was originally built to serve mines borax of the region, transporting the goods from the coast of Chile through the Andes to the northwest of Argentina. The train started taking tourists from the 1970s.
The train leaves the city early in the morning Salta (at exactly 7:05 am), crosses the Lerma Valley, then the Quebrada del Toro and finally the vast territory of the Puna. The train does only two stops almost at the end of the trip. The first is to San Antonio de los Cobres An old town with a small market. It is one of the highest villages in the country at 3760 m. You will find picturesque stalls offering crafts, clothes and souvenirs to bring home. The second stop and terminus is the spectacular viaduct of the Polvorilla . The curved viaduct is 224 meters long and 70 meters high and overlooks the valley.
The train crosses the viaduct and stops before going back, ready for return trip . At the final destination, passengers can descend from the train, feel the clean and cold air on their faces, walk slowly to accustom their body to altitude and take pictures. The return trip to Salta ends in the dark and Salta rallie just before midnight (23:48 exactly).
The Cloud Train works April to November . From December to March, there is the Tren del Sol, which goes from Salta to Diego de Almagro train station, at an altitude of 3,500 metres.
The price : it takes about 120€ to make the return trip on board Tren a las Nubes . Some travellers say the price is too high, but this train trip is mythical and if you have a day off in Salta, why not pass it on the Train des Nuages, to reach the Argentine summits?
Sources: trenalanubes.com.ar , Wikipedia , Amusing Planet
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