Spectacular Photos Of The Lost Train Graveyard In Bolivia – Design You Trust — Design Daily Since 2007

Spectacular Photos Of The Lost Train Graveyard In Bolivia

1
Chris Staring / Rex Features / Shutterstock

Chris Staring photographs a mysterious train graveyard in the heart of southern Bolivia, where the skeletons of British steam locomotives and rail cars rust away on the edge of the world’s largest salt flats. More than 100 rail cars and locomotives can be found in different states of decay in the train graveyard.

2
Chris Staring / Rex Features / Shutterstock

Melbourne-based photographer Chris Staring captured a series of stunning photos of the train graveyard, known locally as the Cementer de Trenes.

3
Chris Staring / Rex Features / Shutterstock

The graveyard is a stretch of disused track two miles south-west of Uyuni, Bolivia.

4
Chris Staring / Rex Features / Shutterstock

Many of the trains and locomotives are British imports and have been eroded by the harsh Bolivian climate.

5
Chris Staring / Rex Features / Shutterstock

A swing inside the shell of an old locomotive.

6
Chris Staring / Rex Features / Shutterstock

Staring said: “Most of the 19th-century steam locomotives were imported from Britain so only designed and built for the British climate.”

7
Chris Staring / Rex Features / Shutterstock

“Although built to withstand harsh weather conditions, the locomotives proved to be no match for the challenging conditions that they found themselves in while chugging their way through the high altitudes, thin air, corrosive salty winds and extreme temperatures in Bolivia and Chile.”

8
Chris Staring / Rex Features / Shutterstock

“One fatal oversight can attribute for the high number of dented and twisted locomotives and rail cars that can be found in the train graveyard. The steam locomotives were being operated at more than 3,500 metres above sea level, which is a far higher altitude than they were designed for.”

9
Chris Staring / Rex Features / Shutterstock

“This increase in altitude lowered the boiling point of the water in the engines from 100 degrees to about 98 degrees, which meant the engines would literally run out of steam and derail.”

10
Chris Staring / Rex Features / Shutterstock

Nowadays, most of the locomotives and train cars have been stripped bare for scrap metal and parts, some vandalised and others turned into swings to provide a memorable photo op for passing tourists.

11
Chris Staring / Rex Features / Shutterstock

The graveyard’s location on the edge of the Bolivian salt flats accelerates the corrosion of the trains.

12
Chris Staring / Rex Features / Shutterstock

Rusting rail cars and train skeletons are pictured against striking skies. Staring ventured out to explore the area a few hours before sunset.

13
Chris Staring / Rex Features / Shutterstock

Staring said: “The sunset was spectacular and the sky exploded with the most intense colours I’ve ever seen. I stayed for a few hours to watch the sunset, climb around the rusting carcasses and taking as many photos as I could before walking back to town in the dark.”

14
Chris Staring / Rex Features / Shutterstock

Looking out from inside one of the disused steam engines.

If you want more awesome content, subscribe to Design You Trust Facebook page.

More Inspiring Stories

"Skater For Life": Fascinating Vintage Photos Of Judi Oyama, Who Began Skating In 1973 When She Was 13 Till Now!

Two Sisters from Norway with Magical Photos Inspired by Nature and Music

Lexus UX Crossover Gets Tyre Inspired By Nike Air Force 1 Shoes

Concepts From Future Past: Porsche Tapiro

The Red Lights Of Parisian Cafés: Dark And Gloomy Photos That Will Fill You With Trepedation

Stunning Photos of the 1924 Renault NN Berline

Images from The Past of The Citroën U55 Cityrama Currus, the Best Bus Ever Built in History

Stunning Vintage Photos of Woody Station Wagons From the 1960s and 1970s

Amazing Photos of Teenage Beatles Fans in Their Bedrooms From the 1960s

Prepare Kids for The Real World with This Ai-Generated Must-Have Toys

Parent Of An Autistic Son Who Hates Being In Photos T-Rex Solution Isn't Just Brilliant, It's Hilarious

NASA: Spectacular Images from Space - Galaxy Encounter, Flooding Thailand, and 12-Billion-Year-Old Stars

The World's Most Expensive Parking Lot is in the Middle of the Ocean

Gold-Painted Infiniti G37 In China Towed By Traffic Police for Illegal Parking

The Rise of Original Paint, Rust, and Patina: How Volkswagen Fanatics are Embracing the Unrestored Look

Rare Color Photos From The Depression Era

Beautiful Photos From The Bird Photographer Of The Year 2017 Contest

Rare Photos Of 19-Year-Old Prince Outside Minneapolis’ Old Schmitt Music Headquarters In 1977

Funny Photos of Men Mimicking Women on Instagram

Stunning Vintage Photos Of Women Modeling Bathing Caps With Faces On Them

1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt Concept Car Pictures

New Network on the Streets of London Broadcasts News to City Workers via Recycling Bins

Kazakh Bodybuilder Yuri Tolochko To Marry His Life-Like Sex Doll 'Margo'

Artist Constructs Impressive Robot Costumes And Wears Them On The Streets Of New York

This Japanese Train Station Only Exists So That People Can Admire The Scenery

A 18 Years Old Girl From Slovakia Creates These Beautiful Photos

Artist Ronald Restituyo Transforms Simple Sketches Into Photorealistic Faces

Photographer Ido Meirovich Captures Stunning Photos Directly Above Surfers, Making Them Look Like Abstract Artworks

A $2 Million Porsche-Designed RV Has A Full Bedroom And Bathroom

Range Rover Driver Slates Dealership By Graffitiing His Own Car With Angry Messages