La Polvorilla Viaduct

Unique in the world, a work from the early 20th century

La Polvorilla is the highest viaduct of the section, the only one in the world built in a curve, rising and with slightly inclined rails.

It was constructed at the beginning of 1930 and took two years to complete. It is part of the C14 branch, called Huaytiquina, although today it is known by everyone as Tren a las Nubes (Train To The Clouds).

Its route starts in Cerrillos and ends in Socompa, on the border with Chile. It is a railway line with 31 bridges, 13 viaducts and 95 culverts.

Construction began on May 10, 1921, using picks and shovels with a thousand local workers and from various regions of the world. Until then, the river beach, in the Quebrada del Toro, was the only route for the muleteers who transported cattle on foot to Chile, through the Puna.

A result of the enormous ingenuity of Richard Maury, born in Philadelphia and commissioned by President Julio Argentino Roca to work on the then thriving railroad networks. Because of his experience in Europe, he was entrusted with the project, due to the solutions required by the particular layout of Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds). He thus solved the topographic difficulties by means of rollers and zigzagging of the tracks, which allowed it -when it was working in its full extension- to gain height in a few meters.

The remains of the father of the viaduct rest in Campo Quijano, in the monolith right next to the locomotive.

The viaduct can also be reached through National Route 40 on the way to Jujuy, which shares a stretch with Route 51, just around the capital of the Los Andes department.

When you get under the foundations of such a powerful structure, it is impossible not to feel small, very small, in front of such a huge engineering work. In addition, the wind is strongly present in that ravine between high mountains. Therefore, that feeling is heightened by honoring those outstanding men who first imagined it and then executed it. An interesting tribute to the construction of the viaduct can be seen at the Andean Regional Museum in the city of San Antonio de los Cobres. Likewise, nothing like the emotion of those who visit it and are moved by so much beauty.

For those who dare, a steep ascent on foot along its east side, which has metal railings, allow to reach the height of the tracks to further impress the adventurer @tripticity_ 

There is no better communion between the natural attraction of the landscape and the human effort than the La Polvorilla viaduct.