Puente Alto-El Volcan Railway, Military railway in San José de Maipo, Chile.
The Puente Alto-El Volcán Railway was a narrow-gauge mountain line that wound through the Maipo Valley near Santiago. Built with a 600-millimeter track width, it navigated steep terrain and tight curves to reach mining operations and remote villages scattered across the landscape.
Construction began in 1906 under Chile's Ministry of Railways and progressed through successive openings until the final station was reached in 1914. Public service ended in 1978, though limited operations continued until the railway's complete closure in 1985.
This railway was vital to the mountain communities, connecting isolated villages to the wider region and enabling trade between the valley and surrounding areas. It shaped daily life for generations of residents who depended on it for both commerce and personal travel.
Much of the route can be explored on foot today, with visible remnants of the original track and infrastructure throughout the valley. Sturdy footwear is essential, as the terrain is uneven and paths may become muddy during the rainy season.
Engineers tunneled through El Tinoco with a 175-meter passage, a remarkable feat of mountain construction that showcases the ingenuity needed to cross such difficult terrain. Several stone bridges still span the Maipo River, though water erosion has weathered many structures over the decades.
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