The EMD GR12U # 93 and # 412 of the Ferronor (Empresa de Transporte Ferroviario S.A.), built in 1965/1962, are pulling a mixed copper concentrates and sulfuric acid tank cars train on the 1 meter ... (more)
Sadly, one of the most spectacular railroads worldwide was destroyed by heavy floods in march 2015, the 1 meter gauge line from Chañaral via Diego de Almagro-Llanta up to Potrerillos. When you lo... (more)
Perhaps my first and probably last contact with Ferronor's Potrerillos line was in 2012. Due to heavy rain fall the line was massively damaged (dozens of km of the line are gone!) this spring and ... (more)
The Encanche station is still used as passing place, but only for diesel trains. So the remnants of the steam era are no longer used, but still there. Even if we are here in one of the earth's dri... (more)
In difference to other units on the line GR12U #412 has still some spots where the basic paint scheme in yellow/blue is visible. But still also this loco shows heavy signs of its use on the steep ... (more)
Incredible to see a railway in these grounds. 3.9% steep the line to Potrerillos is somehow glued into the loose rock slopes of the Río Salado valley. Here GR12U #93 and a sister unit are hard wo... (more)
Along the Río Salado Codelco owned and Ferronor leased GR12U #93 and a sister unit are hauling a mixed train with loaded copper ore cars and empty sulfuric acid tank cars up to Potrerillos.
Before getting to the steep grade between Montandon and Potrerillos, trains often make a cooling stop in the old Montandon station. Even if the steep 3.9% is still ahead, the previous section is n... (more)
Before getting to the steep grade between Montandon and Potrerillos, the Potrerillos railway is running through the valley of the Río Salado (Qebrada del Río Salado) - an impressive Cut in the m... (more)
While chasing a train up to the Potrerillos copper refinery through the valley we have found some green flora in the middle of the desert. The horses were unaware of us and the train which was sho... (more)
GR12U 1405 from 1961, Clyde GL22U from 1968 ex Queensland Railways and GR12U 1404 from 1961with a sulphuric acid tank car train in the horse shoe curve on the ascent to Cumbre summit from the port... (more)
