Tehachapi Loop – California Rail Pass

Now the planet has a little less than 1.4 million kilometres of railways. But we will pay attention to only 1150 meters of them, located in the southern part of the US state of California. Here is the famous Tehachapi Loop - an original engineering solution and precise, thoughtful construction of the Tehachapi Pass. Since the beginning of the 19th century, railways have firmly entered our life. They began to be built all over the world. With the help of railway communication, the economy developed, freight and passenger traffic grew. Railways were laid in the most inaccessible places, and engineers always had to calculate routes and construction projects with pinpoint accuracy. So it happened with the railway line through the Tehachapi mountain pass. 

Tehachapi loop

Cincinnati Subway

Cincinnati Subway — In the basement of the American city of Cincinnati, there is a huge mystery of abandoned tunnels that were supposed to be used as subway lines, but the best part is that many of its residents are unaware of their existence.

One hundred years ago, Cincinnati, Ohio, decided to build a subway tunnel system. But, unfortunately, Cincinnati tunnels were abandoned even before being used for the first time, making the Cincinnati subway a national gossip.

Cincinnati tunnels

Kruger Shalati | The Train Wagons turned into luxury hotel

There was a time when you could catch a train in Comatiport, on the border of South Africa and Mozambique, drive through the Kruger National Park and get into the city of Tzaneen. On the way, the train stopped on the railway bridge over the Sabie River, people got out of it, went down to the park.

Belmond Andean Explorer Train | The first luxurious train of South America

Belmond Andean Explorer Train | The first luxurious train of South America, Since the summer of 2017. The Belmond Andean Explorer - travels through the majestic Andean countryside along some of the world's highest-lying railroads. The first thing that arouses interest is its route: it runs between Cuzco (the ancient capital of the Inca Empire) and the picturesque city of Arequipa. The second thing that will not leave you indifferent is its interior, made in the spirit of the 1920s and 1930s, and the unique views that open up to travelers.

The Peak, The steepest funicular railway in the world

The Peak Tramway, is one of the most popular attraction of Hong Kong. The world's oldest and most famous funicular railways. Opened in May 1888  for the exclusive use of the British Governor and Victoria Peak residents, the first mechanical public transport in Hong Kong,  the steepest funicular railway in the world.  The trams were originally steam-driven.  In 1926, an electric cable haulage system was introduced and the current modernized enclosed, 2-car trams were introduced in 1989, using a 1520 mm. rail gauge.

The Peak Hong Kong

Zagreb Funicular, Croatia

The Zagreb Funicular is the funicular in Zagreb, Croatia, The lower station is located on Tomiceva Street, while the other station is located at the base of Lotršcak Tower. It was opened in 1890 after just 2 years from getting the building permit. It is 66 meters long and it is the shortest funicular in the world! The trip is brief – lasting just 64 seconds, but it’s a fun ride and an efficient way to reach the Upper Town. The funicular is equipped with a hydraulic lift platform and an access ramp, so it’s a great option for visitors who can’t climb the stairs. Almost 125 years it has been transporting the citizens of Zagreb and its guests between the Upper and Lower Towns. Initially it had steam engines, which were substituted with electrical engines in 1934. Having in mind that it kept its original shape, constructional and most of the technical properties, it was given legal protection as a monument of culture.

Moscow Metro Stations, The Underground Palace

The Moscow Metro, the world first by passenger density, it carried 9.27 million people in 2011. Moscow metro stations also known as the underground palace. It has has 196 stations and a length of underground laying of 327.5 kilometers, with 12 lines. All lines are connecting with a 20 km long ring line. The line 2, 4  cross the Moskva river and line 1 cross Yauza river on a bridge. The majority of the network is hidden deep below the streets of Moscow – there are a total of 74 deep level stations, 87 on a more shallow level, a further ten on the surface, and four on elevation. The reasons for the construction of deep section station Arbatskaya lies in the onset of the Cold War . They are deep and are designed to hide people in the event of nuclear war.

São Bento Railway Station, Portugal

São Bento Railway Station is located in the city of Porto, in Portugal. Inaugurated in 1916, the historical station is known for its tile "azulejo" panels that depict scenes of the History of Portugal. It is located in the Almeida Garret Square, in the centre of the city. It remains in regular use as a railway station, served by trains operated by Comboios de Portugal. The interior walls of the station are lined with a large mosaic made with about 20,000 tiles, they're the work of artist Jorge Colaço date from 1905–1916, the first tiles were put up on 13 August 1905. These tiles represent with striking drawings, historical scenes of Portugal, as well as illustrations chronologically the evolution of transportation and some everyday scenes of the city.

Duquesne Incline | The oldest funicular of USA

The Duquesne Incline is an inclined plane railroad, or funicular, located near Pittsburgh's South Side neighborhood and scaling Mt. Washington. Designed by Samuel Diescher, the incline was completed on 20 Nov. 1877 and is 800 feet or 244 meters long, 400 feet or 122 meters in height, and is inclined at a 30-degree angle. It is an unusual track gauge of 5 ft (1,524 mm). Originally steam-powered, the Duquesne Incline was built to carry cargo up and down Mt. Washington in the late 19th century. 

The single-car of the Duquesne Incline prepares to enter the station on Grandview Avenue. 

The Pamban Bridge, Rameswaram

The Pamban Bridge is a cantilever bridge on the Palk Strait which connects the town of Rameswaram on Pamban Island to mainland India. The bridge refers to both the road bridge and the cantilever railway bridge, though primarily it means the latter. Opened in 1914, it was India's first sea bridge, and was the longest sea bridge in India till 2010. The rail bridge is for the most part, a conventional bridge resting on concrete piers, but has a double leaf bascule section midway, which can be raised to let ships and barges pass through. On 24 February 2014, the Pamban Bridge marked its 100th anniversary.

Pamban bridge train on sea boat mail.

Chongqing Metro | Chongqing Rail Transit, China

The Chongqing Rail Transit (CRT) also known as Chongqing Metro, is a 75 km rapid-transit system, serving the city of Chongqing in China. It has been in operation since 2005  and serves the needs of nearly 32 million people. CRT serves transportation needs in the city's main business and entertainment downtown areas. It is one of only three urban-rail metro systems in operation in the west of China, the others being Chengdu Metro, and Xi'an Metro which opened in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Daily ridership of the metro is around 400,000 passengers.

Chongqing, the Line 2 monorail passes through a building. Many netizens complain about/make fun of Chongqing’s complex topography, its godly monorail, its godly terrain, making it a one of a kind sight in the country.

The Solkan Bridge, Slovenia

The Solkan Bridge or Ponte di Salcano is a 219.7-meter or 721 ft arch bridge over the Soca River near Nova Gorica in western Slovenia, For the main arch, they needed 4533 exactly fitted stones of limestone. The bridge arch span of 85 meters or 279 ft, it is the longest stone bridge in the world and the longest stone bridge among train bridges. It holds the record as later construction technology used reinforced concrete to build bridges. It was originally built in the time of the Secession, between 1900 and 1905, and officially opened in 1906.

Paris Abandoned Railway Track | Chemin de fer de Petite Ceinture

Paris abandoned Ring Railway Track Chemin de fer de Petite Ceinture, stretching 32 kilometers, connecting all major railway stations within the city walls during the Industrial Revolution. It was served from 1852 to 1934, now the line was completely abandoned and is in a state for 80 years. Lately, developers and local officials have turned their attention to the vast expanses of unused land, tunnels and stations as an opportunity for new projects. However, some rail enthusiasts and related organizations want to keep the Petite Ceinture, as a part of the heritage of the city. Others want to turn the area de Petit Seentyura in boulevards, such as the nearby Promenade Plantée , 4.7-kilometer park, based on elevated railway tracks in 1988, which later inspired by New York's famous High Line Park. Within the project «Silent Line», photographer Pierre Folk working since 2011, in time to take a picture of the last remnants of 160 years of the railway, before making any final decision on its fate. "Rusty rails, dilapidated tunnels and stations, all swallowed trees, grasses and vines. Cozy, familiar to pain landscape of old Paris, "- said Pierre. [ All Images @ Pierre folk ]

Fløibanen Funicular Railway, Bergen | Norway

Fløibanen funicular railway in Bergen - one of the most famous tourist attractions in Norway. Funicular is located in the heart of Bergen, 150 meters from the fish market Fisketorget and Bryggen. Fløibanen Funicular quickly takes you from the city center to the top of Mount Floyen, at 320 meters above sea level.

Floibanen was officially opened on 15 January 1918. The idea to build transport to Fløyen was put forward in 1895 by John Lund, a member of the Norwegian legislature. Work to build Fløibanen started in 1914. The line was ready in 1918. Today the company is owned 44% by the municipality of Bergen, the rest spread on various private interests.

Jungfrau Railway, Switzerland | Top of Europe

The Jungfrau railway, a pioneer road and a masterpiece among mountain railway lines were put into service in 1912. A gear train takes passengers from Kleine Scheidegg to the Jungfraujoch Pass, to the “Top of Europe” 3454 m high. high-altitude European railway, Fieschertal, Switzerland. 7 out of 9 km of tracks are laid in a tunnel in the Eiger and Munch rocks. The train stops for 5 minutes at each of the intermediate stations so travelers can admire the mountains through panoramic windows.

Jungfraujoch

Santos Express Train Lodge, Mossel Bay | South Africa

The Santos Express is a train lodge situated on Santos Beach in Mossel Bay. It is a genuine train with all cabins facing the sea. A close view of the ocean really beats the unbelievable position and exquisite view. An invigorating sea breeze keeps everything cool even on really hot days.  A five to 10 minutes walk from the Dias Museum, the harbor, and the town center.  

Kiev Funicular | A Steep Slop Cable Car

The Kiev funicular is one of the main attractions of the city with a long history. This is an unusual means of transportation - a simple carriage that goes up and down a steep slope using a rope pull. Actually, the word "funicular" is translated from Latin as a cable car, and the first name of the Kiev funicular is "Mikhailovsky electric cable car."