International Railroad Discussion > Ferronor Southbound Flats in Atacama Desert Chile

For the third day in a row as we approached Baquedano on the highway, we spoted a westbound headlight. This one was different though. It wasn't really a westbound. It was a southbound that hadn't gone around the loop yet. That meant it was not an FCAB train but was on the elusive Ferronor. From what I had read before arriving in Chile I didn't expect to see a Ferronor train. While they have a large shop in Baquedano, I could find nothing about any regular trains. We lucked out with this train of empty flats (with on very large box on one flat, a caboose, and a second GR12 that had a car alarm blaring the entire time we saw it). Anyone know if this is a regular move? Does it have a train number or symbol?

The whole time chasing this train south, I kept thinking how much the line reminded me of the USG Plaster City run in Southern California.

Image one is a roster grab of the lead GR12 while it is still facing west.

Image two is of the train switching onto the loop.

Image three is of the GR12s, now on the loop and facing east as they head towards the wye.


 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/19/19 21:10 by erielackawanna.

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Next three images are all of the chase south. This was all dirt road.

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Three more shots on the chase.

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One last parting shot.

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Gosh!!,  That's desolation.
Thanks for all your efforts for showing this part of the world.

James R.(Jim) Baker
Whittier, CA

I am fascinated by these images from the Atacama Deseert, specifically the track structure, always appears to have the crib (rails and ties) completely filled to top of rails with dirt....if this blow dirt?   Is it windy in the Atacama?   Are there issues in keeping the tracks clear?  Since we can never see the ties , what do they use for ties, steel, concrete, wood???

There are wood ties, no tie plates, screw fasteners. It is buried on purpose.

If it wan't for the train you would think you were on Mars.

Fantastic photos of the trains in Chile, I have enjoyed following your posts. The desolation in these photos makes our drives across Nevada look like a lush jungle.

Nathan

Posted from iPhone

That EMD looks like a TM and a SD9 had a baby:)

Love the coverage. Have to take notes now:)

Posted from iPhone

Great photos. Does anything live in that desert besides the required humanoids to do work?

There might be some bacteria in the dirt, but that's it. There are no animals or plants, not even bugs.

erielackawanna Wrote:
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> There might be some bacteria in the dirt, but
> that's it. There are no animals or plants, not
> even bugs.

There is (for the most part) no bacteria in the dirt either.

Thanks - I was just guessing. I should have looked it up before posting.

Wow, the weed sprayers there are certainly effective!

-John

erielackawanna Wrote:
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> Thanks - I was just guessing. I should have looked
> it up before posting.

It’s all good - no criticism intended :)

Posted from iPhone

Hi.
Have realy been impresed with your shots in the Atacama desert Chile.
i am a retired loco Engineer in New Zealand. I would be most interested to get your permission to use some of your pic in my club magazine here, the Hamilton Model Engineers
off course giving Aknowledgment to you if that is possible

Cheers Dave Simpson

Is this an old angent orage testing ground?  These photos show me the new definition of "nothing".  I have never seen a land with nothing.

mns019 Wrote:
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> I am fascinated by these images from the Atacama
> Deseert, specifically the track structure, always
> appears to have the crib (rails and ties)
> completely filled to top of rails with dirt....if
> this blow dirt?   Is it windy in the Atacama? 
>  Are there issues in keeping the tracks clear? 
> Since we can never see the ties , what do they use
> for ties, steel, concrete, wood???

i was wondering about those things too.  it sure must be a bummer to "tamp" any piece of that railroad........

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