Train to
the Clouds, Salta Northwest Argentina
The Train
to the Clouds is working again after being in repair for a long time. Circular
reaches 4,200 meters en route by the Andes Mountains. The train to the clouds
departs from the city of Salta and it goes through valleys and gorges until
reaching the viaduct La Polvorilla. From there it heads back. This huge
engineering railway began in 1921 and was a challenge for those years. The head
of the work was Richard Fontaine Maury, an American engineer with extraordinary
technical ability.
The ride
lasts about 17 hours and it is wonderful. From the windows of the train are
seen incredible scenery with mountains, plateaus, rivers and streams full of
varied colors ranging as the train passes through different climatic zones.
It is a
tourist exclusively train. Each car has a tour guide who is pointing to the
passengers the most interesting aspects of each section.
Along the
way you cross 29 bridges, 21 tunnels, 13 viaducts, 2 "rollers", 2
zigzags and make two stops: one at the station of San Antonio of the Coppers,
and the other, in the Viaduct Polvorilla.
Train Stop San Antonio de los Cobres:
The train
stops there for one hour. The crafts people come to sell their regional
products. Knitting is the largest employer of women in the area. It is an
ancient custom that is passed from generation to generation. Here is knit the
legendary "barracán" heavy cloth made from llama or sheep that is
characterized by the network of natural colors that prevail in white, black and
brown. The barracán used in the making of suits, jackets and ponchos (a kind of
shawl) and capped. In recent years, some designers have used to make their
clothes.
Train Stop La
Polvorilla
Here is the
great bridge that appears in almost all the photos of the Train to the Clouds.
The train makes a stop for half an hour and many craft vendors go to meet the
visitors. Passengers can board a viewpoint of about 5 meters high from where
they can observe the surrounding landscape.
Practical
information:
The Train to the Clouds comes on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7:05 am
from Salta, returning at 23.48 pm. It has dining car services, medical assistance,
audio, video and bilingual guides.
