Despite being considered as one of the safer and more reliable transport methods, railways can at times be dangerous, due to the routes they cover or the crime they may be affected by.
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Poor passenger safety is, for example, why Mexican railways are considered to be one of the most perilous in the world. In the past few years, the country’s rail industry has been fraught with problems, with train robberies reportedly having increased by 476% in the last two quarters of 2017. Similar levels of crime are being seen elsewhere. In India, 38,000 people have died in train-related accidents between 2007 and 2017, while in South Africa, Cape Town residents feel increasingly discouraged to use public transport due to frequent on-board muggings and assaults.
But safety concerns on railways are not just linked to crime. Some of the most dangerous tracks on the planet cross perilous locations, with routes lacking appropriate protection.
World's top 10 most extreme train routes:
Chennai-Rameswaram rail route in India to the Death Railway in Thailand, here's a list of world's top 10 most dangerous train routes:
1. Maeklong Railway Market, Thailand
This charming old world railway market is located a few kilometres away from Bangkok, and it takes about 90 minutes to get to this South western market by a mini van.The main highlight of this market is that a live train runs down the middle of the market. A warning bell sounds before the train comes, allowing the stall vendors to scurry to pull back their umbrella shelters before the train comes. Everything is so well designed that the train runs by barely touching the produce and merchandise placed on the rail by the stall vendors.
2. Gokteik Viaduct, Myanmar
The Goteik viaduct also known as Gohteik viaduct is a railway trestle in Nawnghkio, western Shan State, Myanmar (also known as Burma). The bridge is between the two towns of Pyin Oo Lwin, the summer capital of the former British colonial administrators of Burma, and Lashio, the principal town of northern Shan State. It is the highest bridge in Myanmar and when it was completed, the largest railway trestle in the world. The bridge is located approximately 100 km northeast of Mandalay.
3. Burma Railway, Thailand
The Burma Railway, also known as the Death Railway, the Burma–Siam Railway, the Thailand–Burma Railway and similar names, was a 415-kilometre (258 mi) railway between Ban Pong, Thailand, and Thanbyuzayat, Burma, built by the Empire of Japan in 1943 to support its forces in the Burma campaign of World War II. This railway completed the rail link between Bangkok, Thailand and Rangoon, Burma (now Yangon).
4. Ferrocarril Central Antino, Peru
Ferrocarril Central Andino (FCCA) is the consortium which operates the Ferrovías Central railway in Peru linking the Pacific port of Callao and the capital Lima with Huancayo and Cerro de Pasco. As one of the Trans-Andean Railways it is the second highest in the world constructed by the Polish engineer Ernest Malinowski in 1871–1876.
5. Pilatus Railway, Switzerland
From Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm, the world's steepest cogwheel railway winds up through lush meadows carpeted with Alpine flowers, past sparkling mountain streams and fascinating rock faces.
6. Tren A Las Nubes, Argentina
The Tren a las Nubes is one of the three highest railways in the world. It departs from the city of Salta (at 3,894 f.a.s.l.) and ends its journey at La Polvorilla viaduct (at 13,850 f.a.s.l.). In its way, it crosses a road that takes to the clouds, with enough time to enjoy very different and changing landscapes: from the green hills of the Lerma Valley –where the city of Salta is located- to the desolated Puna’s immensity.
7. Gelmerbahm Funicular, Switzerland
The real roller coster experience! The Gelmerbahn is a funicular railway in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. It links a lower terminus at Handegg, in the Haslital, with an upper terminus at the Gelmersee lake.
8. Pamban Bridge, Rameshwaram, India
This railway bridge connects mainland with Rameshwaram island can only be seen from Road bridge. The bridge is located in the world's second most corrosive environment after Florida, making its maintenance a challenging job. View is extremely beautiful and can enjoy the view at anytime from early morning to evening. If we are lucky, we can see a running train on this bridge. View of Pamban, Rameshwaram is also very beautiful. Sea water is so crystal clear and rust can be found at railway bridge due to heavy sea wind.
9. White Pass and Yukon Route, Alaska
The White Pass and Yukon Route is a Canadian and U.S. Class II 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge railroad linking the port of Skagway, Alaska, with Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon. An isolated system, it has no direct connection to any other railroad. Equipment, freight and passengers are ferried by ship through the Port of Skagway, and via road through a few of the stops along its route.
10. Dawlish Station
Dawlish Warren railway station serves the seaside resort and holiday camps of Dawlish Warren in Devon, England, at the mouth of the River Exe.
Reference: Cluebees
