While the shops of Ferronor are located in Baquedano, there is no rail-connection to the two active Ferronor lines, but only to the FCAB.
With the Longitudial Norte out of service I am wondering where this mow train went and what porpouse it had. Maybe reactivation work on the longitudial?
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If there rail connection from Baquedano to Diego de Almagro, and from there to Chañaral (Barquito port) and to Llanta - Potrerillos. In Llanta there is a workshops. And also must remember that south of Baquedano (Palestina station) starts from the Longitudinal Norte line the railway branch line to Socompa (border crossing to Argentina). This line to Socompa belongs to FERRONOR, FCAB has railway operations in that line (Escondida and Zaldivar copper mines), and it leases the use of the line to FERRONOR. And the other, from Baquedano the Longitudinal Norte line continues operative until Iquique (where it ends), but without permanent rail traffic. What makes this train of photo is making some trips during the year on the Longitudinal Norte line for review and keep it clean. In February was the last trip from Baquedano to Iquique, and in March was the last trip from Baquedano to Diego de Almagro and Llanta.
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| Posted by on May 20, 2014 | |
There are many sections between Baquedano and Diego de Almagro where rails are missing entirely. I saw that when driving along the longitudinal last month (April 2014).
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| Posted by on May 20, 2014 | |
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From what I knew, Socompa Pass can be reached directly from Antofagasta. Does it mean, that Ferronor gets there from Baquedano through Palestine Jct. and south over a part of to Longitudial? That would explain the stored tank cars in Baquedano, which were formerly used on traffic to Argentina.
On my visit in 2012 I've found the Longitudial in a quite bad state with rails ripped out or a pipeline built on it. It surprises me to read, that more than the short stretch of it to Mina Franke can still be used.
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The line is operational all the way from Diego de Almagro (ex Pueblo Hundido) to Baquedano an there on to Iquique, but only sees regular traffic between mina Franke (just south of Altamira station) and Diego de Almagro (Sulfuric acid mostly). This locomotive was photographed at Altamira station on April 14th this year but had left by May 6th. I followed the line all the way north as far as Catalina (ex interchange with the Taltal Railroad) and the line showed recent activity.
The section between Empalme (west of Diego) and Copiapo has numerous sections were the rails have been unfortunately stolen. Further south, I think the link between Copiapo (Toledo really) and the branch to the Los Colorados mine is still intact o would require minor repairs to accept traffic. Problem is there nowhere to go once you get to Copiapo. Between Vallenar and La Serena the line sees occasional traffic. South of Coquimbo the line is in poor condition, again with numerous sections having the rails, and even sleepers stolen.
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Thanks for the explanations.
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| Posted by on May 22, 2014 | |
Right. It is on the section south of Diego de Almagro to the Los Colorados branch that I noticed mssing rails. I shot pictures of this engine (Ferronor 221) at Llanta and running a short train (1 car) to Diego de Almagro on April 13. Unfortunately, my friend and team mate on this trip did not want to follow such an ugly duck, so I don't know where the short train was going. Would have been a unique opportunity to take pictures of a train on the Longitudinal in remote desert places...
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