International Railroad Discussion > .

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Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 11/15/15 07:10 by rantoul.

Difference between this line and SDIV is here it goes up a mountain with switchbacks, tunnels and a ruling grade of about 3.5%. A truly amazing operation. If you want to see the ultimate photos of the line go to railpictures.net and key up photographer Jean Marc-Frybourg. Only negative, photo-wise, is the EMD units are 100% soot black from going through all the tunnels.

The line goes up to the smelter at Potrerillos. The mine, El Salvador, is on the north side of the valley. They have an electric plant railway, but concentrate goes down to the valley floor via a slurry pipeline where it is processed. Then the train takes it up to the smelter on the south side of the valley. Quite an operation but may end by 2018 unless Codelco decides to expand mining operations at El Salvador. The main railway is now operated by Ferronor.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/25/14 04:39 by masterphots.