Train to the Clouds, Argentina - A Tourist Train Service

In Argentina, at the height of 4220 meters above mean sea level, a train passes through the Andes Mountains range called 'The Train to the Clouds'. Actually, It is a tourist train service in Salta Province, Argentina. This railway line is one of the highest rail routes in the world. It is the fifth highest railway in the world. The Train to the clouds is also known as Tren a las Nubes. The service runs along the eastern part of the Salta–Antofagasta railway line of the Belgrano Railway that connects the Argentine Northwest with the Chilean border in the Andes mountain range, over 4,220 metres above mean sea level. When this train passes through certain areas, it seems that it is moving ahead by rubbing the clouds. Actually there are heavy clouds on both sides of the railway line. It is originally built for economic and social reasons, it is now primarily of interest to tourists as a heritage railway, though cheaper tickets are also available for locals to use the train as transport.

The construction of the railway officially started in 1921, with the intention of connecting the North of Argentina with Chile across the Andes. The La Polvorilla viaduct, the highest of the line, was finished on 7 November 1932. The route was designed by American engineer Richard Maury and after whom one of the stations has been named. The complete railway was inaugurated on 20 February 1948, following numerous delays and complications and a 2-year period where work was paralyzed.

Tren a las Nubes - La Polvorilla

The railway line has 29 bridges, 21 tunnels, 13 viaducts, 2 spirals and 2 zigzags. The zigzags allow the train to climb up driving back and forth parallel to the slope of the mountain. It departs from Salta every Saturday at 07:05, and returns around midnight, though most tourists simply do the 8-hour one-way trip and return by other means. The train is composed of a dining carriage, bar carriage, a first aid area and two passenger carriages with room for 170 people, though this is expected to increase to 400 over time.

Once the train has left Salta, it first enters the Valle de Lerma, and then the Quebrada del Toro, before reaching the puna. There are numerous stops along the way, some with markets selling artisan goods and locals offering regional cuisine.