International Railroad Discussion > Socompa, here we go again

http://www.plataformaurbana.cl/archive/2015/07/21/finalizan-obras-para-rehabilitar-tren-entre-antofagasta-y-salta/

Track repair supervisors Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/josemateo.castillo.3
Work backward through his photos and videos for Salta-Socompa refurbishment

What none of the press are investigating, is the state of the track on the Chilean side. This track is privately owned, so beyond the control of government

Lower 50 km of this line is leased by FCAB to access mines in the vicinity of Estacion Adolfo Zaldivar, FCAB rebuilt this section following extensive washouts due to heavy rains in March (heaviest falls in recorded history)

This video, compiled by FCAB, gives some idea of the severity of the damage to their tracks between 1000 and 2500 meters altitude. Above 3000 meters extensive snow falls, so the track west of Socompa will also have been affected by snow-melt. Due to this server having a dummy spit re Youtube links, go in via the backdoor and click on the link here
http://fcabinforma.cl/2015/04/video-rehabilitacion-via-ferrea-tras-temporal/

Ferronor's east-west line 200km to the south at Diego de Almagro was swept out to sea. Around 40km of track totally disappeared. The repair bill for this system (the old Andes Copper Potrerillos-Chanaral system) estimated at US$50 million plus. Little likelihood of this system being rebuilt, the mine /smelter are on borrowed time, with state owned CODELCO and Ferronor arguing on the responsibility for the repair. Given the finite mine life, little likelihood that the cost of rebuild can be recouped

Good information on that nice railroad. The ground there is almost pure sand, so the water forces can destroy everything easily

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

Press reports just starting to come in following this release on Thursday
http://www.antofagasta.co.uk/~/media/Files/A/Antofagasta/pdf/press_releases/2015/aplc-press-release-3072015.pdf

London resident Antofagasta PLC owns 100% of the stock of similarly registered/resident Antofagasta Railway Co. PLC (referred to as FCAB)

The Zaldivar Mine is 50km east of Augusta Victoria, and is accessed via the Ferronor owned AV-Socompa line. FCAB lease the western section AV-Estacion Adolfo Zaldivar

This lower leased section has seen some spectacular derailments in the last few years, with locos rolling down embankments and mountain sides. Antofagasta PLC management of Minera Zaldivar is probably the impetus needed for FCAB to renegotiate the lease, and relay the track using heavier rail. The BHP Managed Escondida mining complex is accessed via a spur from Estacion Adolfo Zaldivar, These two mines consume around 1.5 million tonnes of rail delivered sulphuric acid per annum.

Engineering design for the Calama bypass on the FCAB line to Bolivia, with a new Rio Loa bridge is complete, this will allow 20 ton axle loads into the Chuquicamata Mine and as far east as Conchi. Loco (C-C) weight east of Augusta Victoria on the Socompa line is restricted to 96 tonnes