drb
logo


Crazy (and Dangerous) Railroads


"QUANTUM SHOT" #870
Link - article by Avi Abrams




Landslide on a Harrowing (though Scenic) Railroad

Being a part of our popular "Dangerous Roads" series, this quick update will show you the harrowing Tua rail line (a metre gauge railway) in Northern Portugal. Operating since 1887 and closed in 2008, this line has a rich and somewhat frightening history.



(images credit: Ernst Schade, Aventar)


For many years this Portuguese railroad was known for an extraordinary large number of derailments and train accidents. It came to a point when some railroad officials even started to suspect terrorism. And then, one day the ground gave way completely, resulting in a significant landslide - the road has been closed since 2008, with parts of it now serving as a hiking trail:



(images via Pedro Miguel Ribeiro Martins)

Here is a pretty good gallery of Linha do Tua railroad on Flickr (with some abandoned stretches and a pretty creepy tunnel). Right image below shows the abandoned Mirandela-Braganca railroad near Vilar de Ledra:


(image credit: Ernst Schade)


Interestingly, "though actual train services have been withdrawn, it is still possible travel as a passenger with a CP ticket using the replacement road service." (info). Check out this wonderfully atmospheric "Tunel das Fragas Mas", full of "Forgotten Realms" and epic fantasy overtones:


(image credit: Duarte Belo)


Another dangerous railroad and "Devil's Bridge" in Siberia

This part of the legendary BAM Siberian railroad goes over the Severo-Muiski pass - and includes one of the most dangerous bridges in existence (even nicknamed the "Devil's Bridge" by Russian railroad drivers and engineers) due to its extreme curve, a steep incline immediately preceding it, and the flimsy support columns:



(images via)

Article by Avi Abrams, Dark Roasted Blend.


CONTINUE TO THE "MOST DANGEROUS ROADS" SERIES! ->





RECENT ARTICLES:

Visual Caffeine #8
Visual Caffeine, Issue 8

A thrilling blend of art, myths and technology

Visual Caffeine #7
Visual Caffeine, Issue 7

A thrilling blend of art, myths and technology

Art Deco
Imperial Dreams: Art Deco Update

Wings, Gears, & Glamorous Ladies

1970s SciFi
DRB Pics-of-the-Day

Grand Space Adventure 1970s Art



"Dark Roasted Blend" - All Kinds of Weird and Wonderful Things, Discovered Daily!"

DRB is a top-ranked and respected source for the best in art, travel and fascinating technology, with a highly eclectic presentation. Our in-depth articles in many categories make DRB a valued online magazine, bringing you quality info and entertainment every time you visit the site - About DRB

Connect with us and become part of DRB on Facebook and Twitter.



YOUR COMMENTS::

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

what rubbish. these railroad are hardly dangerous in comparison to others.

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The portuguese railroad is not that dangerous and in the time of the recent accidents, there were interests in creating a dam, flooding parts of the railroad (some argue that these interests were real cause of the accidents).
Unfortunately, one of the most beautiful short gauge railroads in Europe will not be lost because of the dam.

___  

Post a Comment

<< Home


SF ART & BOOK REVIEWS:
Don't miss: The Ultimate Guide to NEW SF&F Writers!
Fiction Reviews: Classic Cyberpunk: Extreme Fiction
Short Fiction Reviews: Lovecraft's "At the Mountains of Madness" (with pics)
New Fiction Reviews: The Surreal Office



READ OTHER RECENT ARTICLES:


Abandoned, Dieselpunk
DRB Pic-of-the-Day

Abandoned: Streamlined Three-wheeler

Visual Caffeine #6
Visual Caffeine, Issue 6

A thrilling blend of art, myths and technology

Visual Caffeine #5
Visual Caffeine, Issue 5

A thrilling blend of art, myths and technology

Hellish Weather on Other Planets

Wild, Untamed, and Uncut

Medieval Suits of Armor

Metal Body Suits vs. Weapons of Medieval Destruction

World's Strangest Theme Parks

Amusement to the (twisted) extremes!

Enchanting Victorian Fairy Tale Art

"Then world behind and home ahead..."

Adorable Pedal Cars

Collectable Pedal Vehicles Showcase


Japanese Arcades: Gundam Pods & Other Guilty Pleasures

These machines have gone up to the next level


Modernist Tallinn Architecture

Delicious blend of old and new!


Early Supercomputers: A Visual Overview

"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons"


Futuristic Concept Cars of the 1970-80s

French, Italian & Japanese rare beauties


Epic 1970s French Space Comic Art

DRB Time-Slice: Valérian and Laureline


The Trees Are Escaping! The Abandoned Prison in French Guiana

"Great Escape" from the Devil's Island



FULL ARCHIVES
(with previews, fast loading):

2022/16
2015/14
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006

Link Lattes

Feel-Good & Biscotti Issues





CATEGORIES:
Feel-Good! | airplanes | animals | architecture | art | auto | boats | books | cool ads | famous | futurism | food
gadgets | health | japan | internet | link latte | military | music | nature | photo | russia | steampunk
sci-fi & fantasy | signs | space | technology | trains | travel | vintage | weird | abandoned