Would You Want To Travel In Train That Takes You To Clouds?

Climbing up the mountain by train starting at the City of Salta (1,187 meters) to a height of 4,200 meters above sea level in La Polvorilla and getting to know this tour thoroughly was a strongly desired challenge. Salta provides this service once again. We had the chance to travel by train using one of the highest branch lines in the world.

The Train to the Clouds is a proper iron workhorse running on narrow-gauge tracks and belching diesel fumes. As we pulled out of General Belgrano station, our guide, Alejandra, began the on-board commentary. The attendants were an entertaining bunch who kept passengers informed and alert; no mean feat on a 16-hour journey.

Parked at the platform, the diesel locomotive and its seven cars showed a colorful set. They would carry almost 500 passengers, dining-cars and medical aid, the latter specially conditioned to solve the problems generated by the height. Nothing was trusted to chance.