Thursday, November 1, 2012

Salta - Tren a las Nubes - Argentina, November 2, 2012

We are back in Salta, by bus from Tilcara on Oct. 31. Staying in hotel near railroad station (also food and party area). One day relaxing then the train ride and on Saturday Nov 3 on to Tucuman for 3 nights by bus. We already booked our trip to Iguazu, it will be Tucuman - Iguazu 21 Hours by sleeper coach, the times are good, leaving 11:330AM arriving 9:30AM in Iguazu.

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http://www.trenalasnubes.com.ar/turismo_salta/en_tren_a_las_nubes_home.html

The most amazing train in the world, the one that takes you to the clouds, reaches a height of 4,200 meters in its 217 km trip.
It is one of the highest railways in the world, taking its way across the high picks of the Cordillera de los Andes, surrounded by striking sceneries. The train departs from the city of Salta, passes through the Valle de Lerma, enters the Quebrada del Toro and finally reaches La Puna.
It takes its name Tren a las Nubes, from the clouds that are often seen under bridges and around slopes.
The number of spirals, viaducts, tunnels and other twists and turns that the train passes through arises from a decision made by the designer of this project, the US engineer Richard Maury. He took into account the principle of adhesion of train wheels to the railways and the laws of physics, ruling out the funicular system commonly used, so that the train may safely reach the expected heights. The train has no cogwheels, not even for the steepest slopes, since the railways are peculiarly arranged, running through a system of zigzags and spirals.

The train leaves from the General Belgrano station in the city of Salta, 1187 meters above the sea level, and ends its journey at the viaduct.

ROUTE
It leaves from the train station at the city of Salta and ends its route at La Polvorilla Viaduct.

The railways reach a height of 4,200 meters above sea level, turning this train into one of the highest in the world.

The train offers meals onboard, translator services, and medical assistant for any passenger that may be affected by the lack of oxygen caused by the height. The trip lasts approximately sixteen hours, from seven am until midnight or later. The train runs 217 km. and passes through 29 bridges, 21 tunnels, 13 viaducts, 2 spirals, and 2 zigzags.

There are two stops throughout the trip: one at San Antonio de los Cobres station, and the other one at La Polvorilla viaduct.
It leaves from the city of Salta, the lowest point, and from there it begins the upward route until it reaches the final point at La Polvorilla Viaduct, the highest in the trip. As you reach the different stations, local villagers at picturesque stands sell craftwork, clothes, and regional products as interesting souvenirs of the trip.

The train services include dining car, medical practice, audio, video, and bilingual guides.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity: 468 passengers.  Speed: 35 km/h.

On board services:
Tourism information guide. One assistant per car.    Security personnel.    Medical assistance.    Nurses.


In German:

Zugreise in die Wolken
Touristisches Aushängeschild Saltas ist der "Tren a las Nubes", der "Zug in die Wolken". Er windet sich von der Hauptstadt aus an Schluchten vorbei durch Kakteenlandschaften, an deren Rändern Gletscherriesen wie der Nevado de Acay (5716 Meter) oder der Nevado de Chañí (5896 Meter) thronen. Das Ziel der 217 Kilometer langen Zugreise ist das Viadukt La Polvorilla auf 4220 Metern Seehöhe.
Auf dem Weg passiert der Zug, der wegen Konzessionsproblemen von 2005 bis 2008 nicht fahren konnte, 29  Brücken, 21 Tunnel und Behelfskonstruktionen wie "Zickzack-Weichen", ohne die manche Stelle nicht zu  meistern wäre. Ganz billig ist der Spaß nicht: Je nach Saison sind 120 bis 140 US-Dollar (95 bis 110 Euro) für die rund 16-stündige Tour zu berappen. Campingeinrichtungen gibt es in der Landschaft nicht, und von "wildem Zelten" wird dringend abgeraten.
190 Kilometer südlich von Salta liegt als weiteres Ausflugsziel die für die Torrontés-Weißweine berühmte
Kleinstadt Cafayate, wo zwei Campingplätze Übernachtungsmöglichkeiten bieten. Von hier sind es nur rund 40 Kilometer bis zu den berühmten, schon in der Provinz Tucuman gelegenen Ruinen der Befestigungsanlagen der Quilmes-Indianer.



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