Imagine that you are riding a train past picturesque mountains and plains, admiring the stunning views from the window while drinking aromatic coffee ... Now imagine that your train is traveling very slowly, and even along a narrow road at an altitude of 3000 meters, which , by the way, runs along the edge of a steep gorge. Nice trip, right? It is unlikely that in this case you will ask for a window seat.
Well, everything railways from this issue differ from others precisely in that they are one of the most terrible in the world. All in all, the trip is not for the faint of heart.
Tren a las Nubes, Argentina
The name of this road, which was built in 1932, translates as "Train to the Clouds". And believe me, this name was given to her for a reason. The train departs once a week from the Argentine city of Salta, and then passengers are waiting for a 16-hour trip along the route of 424 km. The road was built exclusively for economic reasons but now it only works for tourists. The path leads through tobacco fields and flat ranches, over 29 bridges and through 21 tunnels, and then the train climbs to an altitude of more than 4200 meters along the La Polvorilla viaduct, which makes Tren a las Nubes the third highest railway in the world. (AP/FOTOLIA)
White Pass and Yukon Route, Canada and USA
This 108-kilometer route connects the port of Alaska called Skagway - now a popular stop for cruise liners- and Carcross, and then - Whitehorse, the capital of the Canadian Yukon Territory. This narrow gauge railway was completed in 1900 at the end of the gold rush. The amazing road is famous for its steep ascents and descents, dozens of bridges and multiple turns on the edge of cliffs... all this against the backdrop of glaciers, mountains and waterfalls. (AP/FOTOLIA)
Nariz del Diablo, Ecuador
"Devil's Nose" isn't a bad name, is it? This road runs between Alausi, near the Andean city of Riobamba, and Palmyra, which lies about 80 km to the south. The train travels very slowly, giving passengers the opportunity to admire the "Avenue of Volcanoes" to their heart's content. Unfortunately, passengers are no longer allowed on the roof of the train, but it is possible to ride in an open trailer. The "Devil's Nose" itself is a small part of the route between the cities of Guayaquil and Quito, consisting of a steep ascent along a kind of "roller coaster". (AP/FOTOLIA)
The Georgetown Ring Railway is only 5 km long. Nevertheless, it has been one of the most popular attractions for more than a century. It travels from Georgetown, Colorado to the neighboring city of Silver Plum, and in this short journey it rises sharply 195 m and passes through picturesque mountains. Operates from May to December. (AP/FOTOLIA)
This 20-kilometer road in Norway, descending from 860 m from Mirdal to Port Flam, is so steep that the locomotives built specifically for it have five braking systems. On the route, the train passes 20 tunnels, while one of them is spiral. This is one of the steepest railways in the world with a gradient of 1 to 18. Sometimes spray and mist from nearby waterfalls hit the train. (AP/FOTOLIA)
More than 90,000 workers and 16,000 prisoners of war died during the construction of this 400-kilometer road between Bangkok and Myanmar. This historic construction was the basis for the films The Bridge on the River Kwai and Retribution starring Colin Firth. Now the trip along the preserved section of the route is very popular among visitors to Kanchanaburi. The train skirts sheer cliffs and passes over several rickety-looking wooden bridges. (AP/FOTOLIA)
Trains on this route in the southern part of the Rocky Mountains run in the summer and take passengers from the city of Chama in New Mexico through the Cabres Pass - the highest pass in the United States (3000 m). The train passes through numerous loops, overpasses and tunnels and then through the Toltec Gorge before finally stopping at the train station in Antonito, Colorado. (ALAMY)
The highest railway crossing the Alps. Local engineering marvels so impressive that the Bernina Express has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travelers are in for a truly dizzying ride between the cities of Chur and Tirano in Switzerland. In summer, passengers can enjoy wonderful local views by riding in an open carriage. And there is something to see here: tunnels, deep gorges and ravines. (AP/FOTOLIA)
The road, which was completed in 1891, runs from Cairns to the city of Kuranda. During the journey, which takes 1 hour and 45 minutes, the train passes over an impressive lattice viaduct that offers stunning views of Barron Falls and the Coral Sea. The path goes through national park"Barron Gorge", past waterfalls and rainforests, and also passes 15 tunnels. (ALAMY)
The city of Rameshwaram on the island of Pamban is connected to mainland India by a 2 km bridge with 143 piers. This bridge, which opened in 1914, is a railway bridge, if you haven't guessed it yet. From here you have amazing views. Rameshwaram himself is considered sacred place and is very popular with pilgrims. (AP/FOTOLIA)
Imagine those who spent long hours and even days building this road in the terrible conditions of the Scottish outback. Sometimes only a helicopter could deliver provisions. The road passes through the largest flat swamp in Europe and the most desolate landscapes in Britain, home to deer, dunlin, golden plovers and merlins. (ALAMY)
The Darjeeling-Himalayan Railway, the Kalka-Shimla Railway and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway were built to serve mountain stations during British Indian times and are considered marvels of engineering to this day. Each line passes through the foot of the hills - (the first two in the Himalayas), and then go around the mountains higher and higher. The local trains best example comfort, and they drive very slowly, although all these shortcomings are compensated by dizzying views. (AP/FOTOLIA)
To somehow solve the problem with the primitive and unreliable railways, notorious throughout the country, the Cambodians created their own network of "trains" from bamboo and old parts. These contraptions reach speeds of up to 40 km/h, are powered by tiny motors, and can carry a dozen passengers at a time. Cushioned trolleys are now eaten from Battambang to a village an hour away. The only problem is that if two such “carts” meet on the way, then the one in which there are fewer passengers is manually removed from the road so that the second one can pass. (ALAMY)
These steep cableways and railroads were clearly not built for the faint of heart. Some of the most famous examples can be found in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, England and Japan. In the photo - a bright funicular from the Chilean town of Valparaiso. Perhaps some of our readers rode the funicular in Kiev, Odessa, Baku or Tbilisi. (AP/FOTOLIA)
Some people prefer to travel by train, finding it very romantic and educational, and also less tiring. It's so nice to sit relaxed by the window and admire the ever-changing landscapes. And statistics assure that railways are one of the safest Vehicle. However, not all and not always. Somewhere in the world, trains run through very dangerous sections.
1. Chennai-Rameshwaram, India
The 2.3 km long bridge is part of the railway and was opened to traffic in 1914. The middle part of the bridge is raised to allow the movement of ships and ferries. The base of the bridge consists of 145 concrete pillars. Despite such powerful supports, the railway track is often flooded by the ocean. And don't forget about the strong wind, because of which the trains are forced to slow down to a speed of 4 m/s.
2. Devil's Nose, Ecuador
An impressive 14 km railway line runs from the town of Alausi to the small village of Sibambe. The track rises and falls sharply so that in some places the train almost flies down vertically. This section is one of the most dangerous railways in the world. Want a rollercoaster ride in Ecuador? Just ride the train over the mountain called Devil's Nose.
3. Train to the clouds, Argentina
A 217 km long rail route connects the city of Salta in Argentina with Polvorillo in Chile. The line was opened in 1948 after nearly 27 years of construction. Nowadays, it is rather intended for tourists who are thirsty for impressions. The trip takes 16 hours and passes through 29 bridges, 21 tunnels and 13 viaducts at an altitude of 4200 m above sea level. This is one of the most dangerous and beautiful paths among the clouds.
4. White Pass and Yukon, Alaska
The construction of the route from the Yukon in Alaska to the Canadian Klondike lasted 26 months and was completed in 1900. It was especially popular with those who fell victim to the gold rush of those days and rushed in search of fortune. The route was closed in 1982, but six years later it was restored for the sake of tourists. During the trip, you can admire the steep slopes, overhanging cliffs, fast-flowing rivers and picturesque lakes.
5. Kuranda Scenic, Australia
The 34 km long railway connects the Australian cities of Kuranda and Cairns in Queensland. The line was built between 1882-1891 and it passes through the dense rainforests of Barron Gorge National Park - a UNESCO site, by the way. The track is located very close to overhanging rocks and waterfalls, and the train itself passes through 15 tunnels on its way, overcomes 93 sharp turns and over 40 bridges.
6. Georgetown Loop, Colorado
This line connects the cities of Georgetown and Silver Plum in the Rocky Mountains. The narrow gauge railway was built in 1877 to facilitate access to the silver mine and closed in 1939. In 1984, it was decided to make tourist route 7.2 km long, passing through the old bridges through the highlands.
7. Lynton-Lynmouth, England
This railway line, but in fact cable car, only 263 m long, where the train climbs to the top of Lynmouth Rock at an angle of 58 degrees. The track was built in 1890 and is located in Exmoor National Park. The train consists of two cars, each of which can accommodate up to 40 people.
8. Toltec Scenic, New Mexico
This is a narrow-gauge railway between the town of Chama (New Mexico) and Antonito (Colorado) 103 km long at an altitude of more than 3000 m. It passes through the Cambre Pass and the Toltec Gorge. From the train window, you can admire the beauty of the Rocky Mountains and experience an adrenaline rush as the train travels through narrow cliffs, winding over flyovers and diving into tunnels.
People living in Russia can be frightened by different things, but not by roads. Almost any foreign curiosity from the above list will find an analogue in their native country, and even, perhaps, not just one, but directly dozens! But still, let's see what the rest of the inhabitants of the planet are afraid of and what roads have earned them the glory of the most dangerous and terrifying.
1. Mountain Road of Death
The old highway from the capital of Bolivia, La Paz, to the city of Coroico - northern Las Yungas - has a second, more commonly used name: El Camino de la Muerte, that is, the Road of Death. These 64 km of asphalt, which lead down the edge of the Altiplano from a height of 4650 meters to a height of 1200 meters, were built in the 1930s during the war by Paraguayan prisoners of war.
Traffic on the Death Road (unlike other Bolivian roads) is allowed in both directions, but the roadway here is no wider than 3 meters and does not have a safety fence.
The monstrous elevation difference between the upper and lower points of the Death Road is the reason that travelers descending it go from high mountain coolness to tropical heat. Because of this, rains, fogs, landslides and landslides are so frequent on a short stretch of the road. In some places, waterfalls run from the mountain right onto the asphalt.
As a result, any awkwardness or mistake of the driver can lead to a fall into an abyss 600 meters deep.
Everywhere on the road are seen commemorative signs and markers indicating the places of the accident, the fall of cars and the death of people. Every year, the Death Road claimed dozens of lives. On July 24, 1983, a bus fell off it, killing more than a hundred people.
Finally, in the late 90s, the Bolivian authorities built an alternate road, new and safer. But the Road of Death was not closed: it became a tourist attraction. Guides carry foreigners along it and organize extreme bicycle tours.
2. Death Railway
The 415 km long railway track (of which 13 km are bridges) between Bangkok (Thailand) and Rangoon (Burma) is also called the Death Road, but not because of the danger of driving along it, but because its construction caused the death of several thousand people . Maybe a more accurate name would be Road of the Dead.
This is probably the only construction site in the world recognized by the court as a war crime.
In 1942, Imperial Japan invaded Burma from Thailand, retaking it from Britain. To supply the Japanese troops in the "Burmese Campaign" it was necessary to build a road.
When the British ruled Burma, they found it an impossible task: to carve almost five hundred kilometers through hilly jungle with many rivers.
However, the samurai were not embarrassed by the grandiose plan. After all, they did not intend to build with their own hands. And they were not going to pay for the work. They used the labor of 180 thousand Asian convicts and 60 thousand prisoners of war - British, Australians, Dutch, Americans and other members of the anti-Hitler coalition. The working and maintenance conditions were such that about 90,000 Asian convicts and 16,000 prisoners of war died during construction. After the war, Hiroshi Abe, the warden of the POW camp, was found personally responsible for the deaths of 3,000 prisoners and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The road was built in 1943, but as a result of hostilities, it fell into disrepair. However, 130 km of track was reconstructed after the war. There were even plans to completely restore the road.
In the meantime, riding on the Hell Passage route near the city of Kanchanaburi, northwest of the Thai capital - where the train goes around sheer cliffs and passes several wooden bridges - is one of the popular tourist attractions.
Whether there are ghosts there is unknown. Today, only the classic film The Bridge on the River Kwai and several museums and memorial cemeteries remind of the sad events on the Road of Death.
3. Glass path and "Paradise gates"
On Tianmen Mountain, one of the most high peaks China (1518.6 meters above sea level), in national park not far from the city of Zhangjiajie, an amazing tourist complex has been built, part of which is a unique glass path and the world's longest and highest cable car. Its spans reach 500 m, and the total length is 7455 m! The name of the road in Chinese sounds very romantic: "Gate to heaven." But in English, romance is already dubious: the name Heaven’s Gate, rather, betrays the cautious attitude of many travelers who happened to spend several creepy and exciting minutes in a cabin suspended in the middle of the clouds on a steel cable.
Here, many are shy. But if there are those who are not afraid of the height of the cable car, then the hanging glass path will strike fear into anyone. A hanging path leads along the mountain right along the edge of the abyss among bizarre relic trees. In some places, the floor of the hanging walkway is made of glass. You can see the clouds under your feet. And remember the fragility and frailty of earthly existence.
However, neither accidents nor catastrophes have yet happened on the mountain of the Heavenly Gates: all structures are very reliable.
4. Controversial road
The Karakorum Highway, although laid on the ground, in many of its sections is immersed in the clouds. This is the highest mountain track in the world that runs from the city of Abbottabad in Pakistan to chinese city Kashgar is considered one of the most dangerous roads on the planet.
The Karakorum highway repeats the Great Silk Road of antiquity. From above, beautiful views of unique beauty open up there, but many dangers lie in wait for travelers in the form of rains, landslides, storms, winds, snow drifts, blockages and altitude sickness. For 20 kilometers of the road, on average, there are only 30-40 meters of asphalt. But what is even more unpleasant is that this road runs between the regions of Jammu and Kashmir, that is, territories that have been the cause of fierce disputes between India and Pakistan for more than 60 years. The area of border conflicts, where, in addition to the harsh nature, the power of force and weapons reigns - this is what the Karakoram Highway is. However, desperate cyclists and bikers love to travel on it.
5. Merciless Road
The name of this route, carved into the rocks of Taihan, the Chinese province of Golian, is “The Road that Forgiving Mistakes.”
Residents of the local village built it in 1997 to be able to get to " mainland from their sky-high heights.
The highway is a 1200 meter tunnel in a mountain 15 feet high and 12 feet wide. There are 30 windows, maybe so that the claustrophobic can calm their nerves by looking outside and admiring the spacious abyss below.
Really very beautiful. Local residents overcome the road, mainly on bicycles. But cars often flew off it into a cliff. After all, this is a road that does not forgive mistakes.
6. Road without insurance
In the second half of the 19th century, this road was built in New Zealand to give local miners access to the gold canyon. At the same time, for some reason the road is called the Road of Captains - Skippers Road.
Now, to move around it, drivers must obtain permission. But most insurance companies warn that they will not cover the losses of such risk-takers, in which case.
However, adventure tourists from the nearby city of Queenstown love day trips along this dangerous road. It's very beautiful there. And then, listen carefully: I passed the Road of the captains. Without insurance. Sounds proud!
7. Desert road
Luxor-Hurghada is a famous tourist route in Egypt, connecting recreation areas along the Red Sea coast with the ancient city of the pharaohs, Luxor. The highway is 280 km long with a good and even road surface, the journey along it takes only 4-5 hours.
And yet, many people died on this road. The thing is that they drive here mainly at night, avoiding the scorching heat of the desert during the day. When drivers rush along the highway with their headlights off, they often collide head-on without seeing each other in columns of dust.
Why don't they turn on the headlights? The fact is that driving on this road with the headlights on is even more dangerous. Terrorists, robbers, all kinds of robbers flock to this world like moths. The consequences are sad. In 1997, Islamist fanatics shot 62 German tourists here.
8. The longer - the more lethal
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the Panamerican Highway is the longest motorway in the world. It starts in Alaska North America, and ends at the most southern regions South America.
The section of the road passing through Costa Rica is the bloodiest section of this route.
The scenic route leads through the rainforests, wild places almost untouched by civilization. Beautiful, but repairs are carried out here too rarely. So some sections of the Pan-American highway are simply washed away during the rainy season. And after floods, landslides can happen here at any time of the year.
So this road is full of surprises, but some of them are deadly.
9. Ice Road
The Canadian towns of Inuvik and Tuktoyak are located in the very north of Canada. They are so remote from the "mainland" that there are no roads, except for a winter road on the ice of the Mackenzie River, in these places.
Every winter, road services measure the thickness of the ice and allow or prohibit the opening of traffic. They also clean the road and save the unfortunate people caught in a snowstorm - storms in this region of Canada are insidious, they always come suddenly.
There is also a constant danger of running into a crack in the ice or falling into a snowdrift. Canadians and Americans consider the Tuktoyak Ice Road to be extreme. Of course, in Russia winter roads are a common thing, almost in every village they are used.
10. Animal Road
Canning Stock Route in Australia - indeed former route, along which the first white settlers drove herds.
This is one of the most remote roads in the world from civilization. Walking along it is very difficult, because it crosses 1850 km of absolutely deserted desert. To overcome this road, it will take at least a month of time, a technically flawless car, as well as spare parts and the ability to repair any breakdowns with your own hands, solid supplies of water, provisions and fuel. Although some can be bought from the natives, one or two communities still live in this wilderness.
But, of course, there is no certainty that they will find exactly what you need. Or that none of them will turn out to be a cannibal.
11. Troll Road
The Norwegian mountain route began to be built at the end of the 19th century, but was completed only in 1936.
This is the most fabulous road in the world, as it leads travelers along the mountain "Troll's Cap", through the places "Troll's Hut" and "Troll's Church".
There are 11 loops on the winding road, the width of the roadway does not exceed three meters. Cars drive along this road only in spring and summer. The rest of the year is too dangerous.
To overcome this difficult road, visiting tourists often hire drivers from among the locals: they, I suppose, understand all these wild trolls better.
12. Dodgy road
Once upon a time, this area was the border between Italy and Austria-Hungary. As they say, both yours and ours. Maybe that's why the road through the Prato Pass in the local mountains turned out to be so ... evasive.
A trip along it can be pretty nerve-wracking, especially if you drive into a cloud at the top, and a little lower get under freezing rain. It is not in vain that such a capricious road was called Stelvio Pass - "Queen of Zigzags".
You can drive on it by car from June to September. In winter it is a luge track. Again: both ours and yours, two in one. But at least in something there is now certainty: the road is recognized as the territory of Italy.
13. Road to nowhere
American Highway in New Mexico, near Albuquerque, locals called the road to nowhere. She leads to mountain range San Mateo and ends there. Tourists liked to ride on it to enjoy the views. However, since 2000, 17 people have disappeared without a trace on this road. And this is only confirmed official data.
There are no turns and branches on the road and, in theory, there is nowhere to get away from it. Nevertheless, the road seems to swallow careless drivers, and sometimes entire families. People seem to dissolve in the air. The state police and the tourism department recently acknowledged the existence of the mystery of this terrestrial bermuda triangle. Public servants, private enthusiasts, and all sorts of psychics tried to reveal the secret of the Road to Nowhere. And yet, so far, no one has succeeded.
In conclusion, I would like to remind you that in Russia everything is in abundance. And the terrible roads are just like dirt. True, they didn’t get glass ones - the climate does not allow.
Usually people choose to travel by rail not only to get to their destination, but also to admire the surrounding landscape. There are also special train "cruises" that offer guests a leisurely journey through the country and stops at the most interesting places. But there are train journeys that are more suitable for those who like to tickle their nerves and throw a good portion of adrenaline into the body.
1. Tren a las Nubes. Province of Salta. Argentina
Tren a las Nubes is one of the three highest railways in the world, also known as the "Train in the Clouds" because it often ends up in or above the clouds along the way. The train departs from Salta and, after passing 434 km through 29 bridges, 21 tunnels, 13 viaducts, 2 spirals and 2 zigzags, arrives at the main destination of the journey - the La Polvorilla viaduct, which is located at an altitude of 4,220 meters above sea level. Curved viaduct, 224 meters long, is located at a height of 70 meters above the ground. Here the train slows down and slowly moves along the viaduct, giving you the opportunity not only to tickle your nerves, but also to take a photo or video, and there are also daredevils who lean out of the car to get the best shot.
2. White Pass and Yukon Route. Canada and USA
A 110-mile narrow gauge railway that links Skagway, Alaska, a popular port of call for cruise ships, and Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon. Construction of the road began in 1897, during the Gold Rush.
The road passes through the steep slopes of the mountains, climbing to White Pass. The path is laid through dozens of bridges, and sometimes passes along suspended tracks laid on steep slopes. All this takes place against the backdrop of glaciers, endless mountains and waterfalls.
3 Nariz del Diablo. Ecuador
"Devil's Nose" - this is the name of this journey, which takes place between the cities of Alausi and Palmyra in the foothills of the Andes. The train moves slowly to give passengers the opportunity to enjoy the spectacle of the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Unfortunately, travelers are no longer allowed to perch on the roofs of the wagons, from where they can get the best best photos. The "Devil's Nose" represents only part of the route, consisting of steep climbs through the mountains that can tickle the nerves of even the most intrepid travelers.
4. Georgetown Loop Railroad. USA
The Georgetown District Railroad is only 7.2 km long narrow gauge railway, rising to a height of 200 meters above sea level. The road is located in the Rocky Mountains in Clear Creek County, Colorado and is now used as a tourist route from April to December.
The road was built in 1894 between the communities of Georgetown and Silver Plum. Engineers have developed a very winding route that climbs uphill, sometimes at an angle that is sharp enough for railways. The road passes through 4 bridges, including the Devil's Gate Bridge.
5. The Death Railway. Thailand
Railway between Bangkok and Yangon. It is commonly referred to as "Death Road". 415 kilometers of rail links were built during World War II and over 90,000 workers and 16,000 prisoners of war (Europeans and Australians) died in the construction of this road. The train goes on wooden flooring, reinforced on sheer cliffs. It crosses the Kwai River on an iron bridge and the Apalong River on a concrete bridge. The remaining 4 bridges of the railway - 90 meters across the Songkalia River, 56 meters across the Mekaza River, 75 meters across Zamiti and 60 meters across Anakui - are wooden and creak terribly when the train passes over them, causing tremors in the knees of tourists.
6 Bamboo trains Cambodia
Bamboo train in Cambodia. Struggling with their own country's primitive and unreliable railroads, the Cambodians took matters into their own hands, creating their own service using "trains" built from bamboo and discarded parts. The Spartan trolley is powered by a tiny motor and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h and carrying dozens of passengers.
There is only one question left - the road is single-track and you have to pull the cart off the tracks to let the oncoming train pass. Usually this falls to the lot of the “train” that is less loaded.
7. Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. USA
This is a narrow gauge railway between Chama in New Mexico and Antonio in Colorado, rising to a height of 3,000 meters. The road was built in 1880 and began to be used as a tourist attraction in 1970, and in 1973 it was included in the US national register as a historical heritage.
The locomotive pulls the train along steep mountain slopes, viaducts, tunnels and bridges crossing rivers and valleys. Breathtaking views and steep climbs attract not only those who want to get a good share of adrenaline, there is something to see for lovers of antiquity or moviegoers.
A stop at Lobato gives the opportunity to watch the locomotive being filled with water. A water tower was built here, which was created specifically for the filming of the film in 1970, and later the third part of the film about Indiana Jones was filmed here.
8. Kuranda Scenic Railway. Australia
Railway between Cairns in Queensland and Kuranda. The road was completed in 1891. The length of the path is 37 km and the entire journey takes 1 hour 45 minutes.
The route passes through the Barron National Park, cutting through the gorge of the same name. The train makes several stops so that tourists can not only admire the waterfalls, but almost plunge into one of them. Stoney Creek Falls is only a few meters from the train. Having enjoyed the beauty, you can also have time to get scared, moving along the slopes of the gorge and crossing the river along the ancient bridge.
9. Nilgiri Mountain Railway. India
The Nilgiri mountain railway is a 46 km single track connecting Mettupalayam and Udaganadalam. Construction of the line began in 1899 and ended in 1908. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway was listed world heritage UNESCO in July 2005.
Traveling along this road does not take much time - 290 minutes if you go up and 215 minutes if you go down. But during this trip, the tourist has no time to relax and let go of the camera or video camera. 46 kilometers of road pass through 208 turns, 16 tunnels and 250 bridges, making you click the button endlessly, capturing breathtaking views.
10. West Highland Line. Scotland
Railway linking Malleg and Oban on the west coast of Scotland. In 2009, the line was named the best rail journey in the world.
The most breathtaking place on the road is the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which is 30 meters high and offers a beautiful view of Lake Shiel. By the way, it was at this viaduct that the Hogwarts Express was filmed in the Harry Potter films.
11. Outeniqua Choo Tjoe. South Africa
Outeniqua Choo Tjoe is the last railway in the world where a steam locomotive was used on a permanent basis as a draft force. The steam locomotives left the line only in June 2009, and the road itself was completed in 1928 and connected the cities of George and Knysna in the Western Cape.
67 kilometers of travel takes three hours. The ride goes through a winding coastline, sometimes almost at the very edge of the surf and crosses the lagoon in front of Knysna on a winding bridge.
Last year, the train stopped working, but the Ministry of Transport says they want to resume the movement of trains between cities.
And finally. If you want to tickle your nerves, South Asia trains are the place to be. According to statistics since 1980, the highest number of train wrecks has occurred in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Reports are filled with lists of victims of these accidents.
The railway is a convenient and popular mode of transport used by millions of people every day. Increasing the speed of transport has solved many problems, reducing the time spent by passengers on the road and delivering goods, and at the same time has created a lot of dangers for humans.
Each of us has to deal with the railroad: some more often, others less often, some students use rail transport, or cross railroad tracks when going to school, to training, etc .; some children are looking for adventure, and in the most unsuitable places for such fun: on the railway.
The main causes of injury to minors by railway rolling stock and electric shock contact network are ignorance and violation of the safety rules established in railway transport.
Attention should be paid to the spread of the youth informal movement “trainsurfing”: young people, including minors, ride on the roofs of electric trains, intercar couplers, record themselves on video cameras, and post the footage on their websites. At the same time, they expose their lives to mortal danger twice, both as a result of a fall from a rolling stock, and when receiving an electrical injury from an electric shock of the contact network.
The Moscow Railway operates a 3000 volt direct current contact network. The wire of the contact network is located at a height of 5750 mm from the level of the rail head at the station and the stage. The distance from the lowest point of the wires of overhead power lines with a voltage of over 1000 V to the ground must be at least 6.0 m. The height of the railway car is 5300 mm. Thus, the distance from the contact wire to the roof of the car is about 0.5 m. The high voltage of 27.5 kV breaks through the air gap of 10 cm or more, depending on meteorological conditions (dry, wet weather). The voltage in the contact wire is 27500 V. If the electrical wiring in the house has a voltage of 220V and if it malfunctions, you can get a severe burn if touched, then given the huge voltage in the contact network, in order to get a fatal burn, it will be close enough to the contact wire at a distance of less than 2 meters. Therefore, all the cars standing on the tracks under the contact wire are already a zone of increased danger and climbing onto the roof of the cars - dooming yourself to a painful death in advance.
Features of a possible electric shock are that the action of subjective protection is blocked by the absence of external signs of imminent danger, which a person can usually detect in advance: see, hear, smell, etc. In most cases, a person is included in the electrical network due to accidental contact with the elements of the electrical circuit, either with his hands (the “hand-hand” current path) or with his hands and feet (the “hand-foot” current path). When the current flows along the “leg-leg” path, 0.4% of the total current passes through the heart, and 3.3% along the “hand-arm” path. The current flowing through a person acts not only at the points of contact and on the path of flow, but also reflexively - on the activity of other organs.
To avoid electric shock, it is strictly forbidden:
approach live wires or parts of the contact network at a distance of less than 2 m;
climb the roofs of wagons, locomotives;
touch the electrical equipment of the electric rolling stock both directly and through any objects;
climb on the roofs of buildings and structures located under the wires, on the metal structures of railway bridges;
approach sagging and broken wires, regardless of whether they touch the ground or not, at a distance of less than 8 meters;
throw foreign objects on the wires.
Trains on railways follow at a speed of 60 - 120 km / h. If we take the maximum speed, then according to the calculation, the train will cover 2 km in 1 minute, and 33.3 m in 1 second. A train travels a distance of 55 meters in 1 second. The unexpected appearance of a person on the tracks can lead to an accident and disruption of train traffic, and sudden braking can lead to a train crash with the death of many people.
If you follow the tracks, you can find yourself between two oncoming trains and a person can be pulled under the wheels by an air whirlwind, and he will die.
The braking distance, depending on the mass and speed of the train, is from 700 to 1000 meters, and this is a very significant distance.
You should pay attention to the yellow security line that runs along the entire platform. There were cases when passengers were hit and injured by rolling stock. There are many cases of people falling between the platform and the still moving electric train.
Rules for safe behavior on the railway
The main causes of injury to citizens by railway rolling stock are ignorance and violation of safety rules when in the area of railway tracks, unjustified haste and carelessness, unwillingness to use transitional bridges, tunnels and decks, and sometimes mischief, hooliganism and games, both on the railway tracks and on territory adjacent to them.
It is not easy to stop a moving train. And it takes at least five to six seconds for a pedestrian to cross a railroad track. Moreover, young people love to listen to music and do not take off the player's headphones when crossing paths. They do not even hear the train whistle, and their visual attention is focused on how it is more convenient to cross the rails.
Only at first glance, stationary cars seem safe. You can’t get closer than five meters to them, and you can’t crawl under the cars: every car at the station is in operation, so it can start moving at any second. If any protrusion or lever of the car catches on the clothes of a gaping person, he will be pulled under the wheels.
The force of the air flow created by two oncoming trains is 16 tons, with such a load a person can easily be pulled under the train. Therefore, you can not cross the railway tracks where it is convenient to save time.
It is necessary to cross and cross railway tracks only in specially designated places. For safe crossing, there are specially equipped pedestrian crossings, tunnels, bridges, railway crossings. If you have to cross an unguarded crossing, pay close attention to the signals given by technical means, make sure that you do not see an approaching train. It is strictly forbidden to pass through a railway crossing with a prohibitory signal of the traffic light of the crossing signaling, regardless of the position and presence of the barrier.
Schoolchildren, we remind you: when you are at the facilities railway transport observe safety measures! Be careful and careful - take care of your life!
Compiled by: Subbotina T.V.
