train grave yard

Some parts might be usable, but the transportation costs and just locating them would make it prohibitive. O wonder if the equipment in Russia or Greece is fairing much better?

The text says Bolivia.

Anything salvageable is long gone.

Rusty

Have you looked at how incredibly remote that is?

Think of all the steam locomotives that are in the middle of urban areas or right next to active mainlines, some in even worse condition than these.

Nope, you're unlikely to ever see any serious effort to do anything with these rusted hulks as it's not economic to do so.

Interesting pictures none the less.

Larry

"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 3500 meters 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."

This is not really how this works. "Literally run out of steam and derail" describes nothing about these engines problems. If a steam engine "runs out of steam" it does not jump off of the track.

This is a really sloppy click-bait article. 

There has been considerable interest in the Chilean/Bolivian nitrate railways from British railfans over the years. (Nitrates for explosives and fertilisers) The railroad dieselized starting in the 50s, but ran steam for twenty more years or so. High desert and salt flats - nasty environment, but the job got done. Some of the carcasses are of Kitson-Meyer style articulated locomotives.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...ntofagasta_a_Bolivia

http://www.fcab.cl/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meyer_locomotive

Silver Lake posted:

"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 3500 meters 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."

This is not really how this works. "Literally run out of steam and derail" describes nothing about these engines problems. If a steam engine "runs out of steam" it does not jump off of the track.

This is a really sloppy click-bait article. 

Yeah, that's a sloppy write-up by an uninformed reporter. But the photos are certainly interesting. I imagine they had a real challenge with water supply for boilers.

When anyone has a few minutes, here's a good read on the whole strategic importance of the South American nitrate mines, railways and also the dirty politics, revolutions and wars they were central to. Fitting in a way; this weekend is the 100th anniversary of the WW1 Battle of the Somme.

 https://www.theguardian.com/sc...war-conflict-mineral

Firewood posted:

When anyone has a few minutes, here's a good read on the whole strategic importance of the South American nitrate mines, railways and also the dirty politics, revolutions and wars they were central to. Fitting in a way; this weekend is the 100th anniversary of the WW1 Battle of the Somme.

 https://www.theguardian.com/sc...war-conflict-mineral

That's a very interesting perspective, thanks for posting. Now I'm interested to know more about the politics and mining development of northern Chile, in connection with the railway and export traffic.

Lionel actually modeled a Chilean electric mining locomotive, even using the same number.