Here are some of the most breathtaking yet dangerous train routes around the world, often traversing rugged terrains, high altitudes, and remote locations:
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1. The Devil's Nose Railway, Ecuador: This historic railway descends nearly 800 meters in just 12 km, zigzagging through steep mountains in the Andes. The rail hugs cliffs with breathtaking but perilous views
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2. White Pass and Yukon Route, Alaska and Canada: Built during the Klondike Gold Rush, this route passes through the challenging terrain of the White Pass in Alaska and British Columbia
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3. The Death Railway, Thailand and Myanmar: This infamous railway was built during World War II by prisoners of war. Known for its deadly construction history, it passes through dense jungle and precarious wooden bridges
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4. Georgetown Loop Railroad, Colorado, USA: The narrow, winding Georgetown Loop climbs over 600 feet between Georgetown and Silver Plume, featuring old wooden trestle bridges and tight mountain curves at a high altitude
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5. Chennai-Rameswaram Route, India: This route crosses the Pamban Bridge over the Indian Ocean, connecting the mainland to Rameswaram Island. High waves and winds make the bridge crossing risky, especially during storms
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6. Kuranda Scenic Railway, Australia: Carving through the rainforest and mountains of Queensland, this route offers incredible views but also traverses over steep cliffs, 15 tunnels, and several bridges across deep gorge
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7. Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, New Mexico and Colorado: Built in the 1880s, this narrow-gauge track crosses through high-altitude regions and rugged mountains, often with snow and wind complicating the steep, cliff-side journey
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8. Nariz del Diablo, Ecuador: A second notable segment of Ecuador's railway, Nariz del Diablo, scales steep cliffs at a nearly vertical drop in a back-and-forth zigzag pattern