If you’re curious about some of the world’s most dangerous railway tracks, you’ve come to the right place. Below, you’ll learn about the Aso Minami Route in Japan, the Death Railway, the Tren a las Nubes, and the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
Aso Minami Route in Japan
The Aso Minami Route in Japan is considered one of the world’s most dangerous railway tracks. It runs through the most active volcanic region in Japan and passes through forests that have been scorched by lava. Even though the views are beautiful, the journey can be dangerous.
The Aso Minami Route crosses a highly volatile volcanic area near the town of Kumamoto. The mountain, Mount Aso, is one of the most active volcanoes in the country, and the railway crosses it on a high iron bridge. It is also incredibly narrow, which could cause a train to fall and crash. The road was damaged by the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, so the use of the Aso Minami Route has been greatly reduced.
Another dangerous railway route is in New Mexico. It is the largest in the world and dates back to 1880. The railway track is quite old, but it has a different frame and a massive track. Likewise, there are dangerous railway routes in India. The Chennai to Rameshwaram railway line is one of them. Both of these roads are built on sea level, and if water rises, the train will be pushed further forward.
Death Railway
The Death Railway is one of the most famous and dangerous railway tracks in the world. It connects modern day Thailand and Burma and has claimed the lives of thousands. The original purpose of the track was to bring supplies to the Burmese front. While it was eventually abandoned in 1947, the railway was reopened ten years later.
The Death Railway route includes cliffs, steep mountain sides, and hairpin bends. It took 27 years to complete. It is known as the Death Railway because of the many people who were killed or injured while building it.
Tren a las Nubes
The name translates to “train to the clouds.” This infamous train passes over 21 tunnels and crosses 29 bridges over the Polvorilla Viaduct, which is 217 feet high and over seventy five feet long. At one point, it reaches a height of twenty-five feet above the ground, and is vertigo-inducing for those who travel on it.
Tren a las Nubes is one of the highest railways in the world. Located in the Andes, this rail line begins in Salta, Argentina and travels through the Valle de Lerma. From there, the train travels through the Quebrada del Toro and ends at the La Polvorilla viaduct (4220 meters). The entire journey takes about two hours and twenty-one minutes, and there are two tours available.
Kuranda Scenic Railway
The Kuranda Scenic Railway is a 37 km journey that will thrill and awe you, offering a spectacular view of the region. It features 15 tunnels, 93 sharp corners, and 40 bridges, and passes close to waterfalls and vertiginous cliffs. The railway is considered one of the most dangerous railway tracks in the world.
The Kuranda Scenic Railway was built at the end of the nineteenth century. It winds through Barron Reserve rainforest, offering stunning views of waterfalls and mountain scenery. One of the most stunning points of the journey is when the train crosses a dizzying cliff.
Another part of the railway crosses through a deep ditch and a huge bridge. The train passes over these dangerous obstacles and can cause a feeling of fear or excitement for passengers.
Devil’s Nose Train
The Devil’s Nose Train is a famous tourist attraction in Ecuador. Its popularity continues to increase despite the decline in railway travel in the 1990s. The train journey starts in Alausi and takes about two and a half hours. Its name is derived from the fact that passengers used to sit on the top of the train.
The train descends nearly a kilometre vertically as it winds its way through beautiful mountain scenery. In just twelve kilometers, the Devil’s Nose Train climbs and descends almost a kilometer’s worth of steep switchbacks.