A big, big H/T to Irish !
Spectacular Photos Of The Lost Train Graveyard In Bolivia
Chris Staring photographs a mysterious train graveyard in the heart of southern
Bolivia, where the skeletons of British steam locomotives and rail cars
rust away on the edge of the world’s largest salt flats. More than 100
rail cars and locomotives can be found in different states of decay in
the train graveyard.
Melbourne-based photographer Chris Staring captured a series of stunning
photos of the train graveyard, known locally as the Cementer de Trenes.
The graveyard is a stretch of disused track two miles south-west of Uyuni, Bolivia.
Many of the trains and locomotives are British imports and have been eroded by the harsh Bolivian climate.
A swing inside the shell of an old locomotive.
“Although built to withstand harsh weather conditions, the locomotives proved to be no match for the challenging conditions that they found themselves in while chugging their way through the high altitudes, thin air, corrosive salty winds and extreme temperatures in Bolivia and Chile.”
“One fatal oversight can attribute for the high number of dented and twisted locomotives and rail cars that can be found in the train graveyard. The steam locomotives were being operated at more than 3,500 metres above sea level, which is a far higher altitude than they were designed for.”
“This increase in altitude lowered the boiling point of the water in the engines from 100 degrees to about 98 degrees, which meant the engines would literally run out of steam and derail.
Staring said: “Most of the 19th-century steam locomotives were imported from Britain so only designed and built for the British climate.”
Nowadays, most of the locomotives and train cars have been stripped bare
for scrap metal and parts, some vandalised and others turned into
swings to provide a memorable photo op for passing tourists.
The graveyard’s location on the edge of the Bolivian salt flats accelerates the corrosion of the trains.
Rusting rail cars and train skeletons are pictured against striking
skies. Staring ventured out to explore the area a few hours before
sunset.
Staring said: “The sunset was spectacular and the sky exploded with the
most intense colours I’ve ever seen. I stayed for a few hours to watch
the sunset, climb around the rusting carcasses and taking as many photos
as I could before walking back to town in the dark.”
Looking out from inside one of the disused steam engines
Sad to see all that cool equipment just rusting away.
ReplyDeleteYes, but at least it wasn't scrapped to make something else. People can still them.
DeleteWhen I was a very little girl, the road to my Grandma's house passed by a small steam engine abandoned on a siding. Whenever we passed by I would cry. After extensive questioning I finally told my mother I cried because I felt sorry for that lonely little engine sitting there all by itself. I sort of get the same feeling from these pictures. They are beautiful, but sad, too.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if all of them could be saved. So much history!
DeleteSmall steam engine? Now we are all shedding a tear.
ReplyDeleteWonder what happened to the ones I grew up seeing...
DeleteVery unique post.
ReplyDeleteWe can all thank Irish for sending it to me!! He knows I love trains! :o)
DeleteThoroughly enjoyed this post. Ah, the color!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it Caddie! I agree - the colors and shadows are amazing! Thank you for stopping by and commenting! :o)
DeleteWhen I found those I was thinking about how eerie it would be to be walking around there all alone. :-)
ReplyDeleteCreepy, but fun. I'd climb into the boiler for a look-see and then take a ride on that swing! Thanks again, Irish. Your info made for a wonderful post! :o)
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