Tren a las Nubes, Mountain tourist train in Salta Province, Argentina
Tren a las Nubes is a tourist railway service operating through the northern Andes of Argentina's Salta Province. The route crosses twenty-nine bridges, passes through twenty-one tunnels, and travels over thirteen viaducts in one of the highest regions of South America.
Construction of the railway line began in eighteen ninety-nine as part of a project to connect Argentine ports with Chile. The first section opened in nineteen twenty-four and initially served to transport minerals from the mountains.
The train's name refers to the extreme altitude of the route through the Andes and the low-hanging clouds often seen along the way. Passengers hear traditional folk music during the journey and can sample regional dishes from the highland provinces.
Trains run from April to November and depart in the morning from the city of Salta for a full-day round trip. Warm clothing and plenty of water are advisable due to the high elevation and often changing weather conditions along the route.
The La Polvorilla viaduct stretches two hundred and twenty-four meters (735 ft) long and sixty-three meters (207 ft) high over a barren gorge and marks the highest point of the journey. Passengers can step out of the carriages and spend a few minutes on this steel structure before the train turns back.
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