- Address: Bolivia, 3 km from Uyuni
The south of the desert plain of Altiplano in the state of Bolivia once adorned a salt lake, which was located at an altitude of over three thousand meters above sea level. This lake has long dried up, and in its vicinity an unusual cemetery of locomotives (Locomotoras del cementerio)
It all started from the railway
The end of the XIX century was marked by the unprecedented economic growth of Bolivia. In this regard, the state authorities have taken a course to build a network of railways throughout the country. The town of Uyuni was no exception, because in its vicinity were discovered large deposits of minerals. According to the calculations of officials, Uyuni was to become the largest trade and transport center of the country.
Unfortunately, the railway branch, laid through the city of Uyuni, turned out to be highly specialized: only trains and locomotives carrying ore, coal and other natural resources passed through it. In the middle of the 20th century, the work of many mines in the area was discontinued. Railway structures were not in demand, and a train cemetery appeared in the vicinity of Uyuni.
Exhibits of an unusual museum
The exhibits of the cemetery of the abandoned trains were the locals of Garrat and Meyer, known at the time. Considering a photo of a cemetery of trains, it is possible to come to a conclusion that many of them are in a deplorable state. After a century, local authorities drew attention to the cemetery of locomotives in Bolivia and developed a program through which it should turn into an open-air museum. The implementation period of the program is 15 years, this is due to problems with financing and harsh climatic conditions in the area.
Helpful information
Visit the train cemetery in Bolivia at any time. Going to the place, do not forget about the appropriate form of clothing and be sure to take a camera with you to take a few photos of the exhibits of the locomotive cemetery. It will not be superfluous to have an experienced guide who will tell you about the history of the cemetery and copies from his collection. For the service conductor will have to pay about 30 BOB.
How to get there?
Where is the locomotive cemetery? It is located next to the abandoned railway linking Antofagastu in Chile with the territory of Bolivia, 3 km from the town of Uyuni . It is most convenient to reach the place by taxi. The cost of the trip is about 10 BOB.
If you like walking, then you can go from Uyuni as a part of the excursion group, simultaneously looking around the neighborhood near the landmark.
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