a row of steam engines in the middle of the road, part of the Carahue steam engine museum
We had no intention to stop in Carahue, just a small town in between the coast and our end destination, Temuco. But upon entering town we are confronted with the railway museum, always a reason to have a quick look. And indeed, some old trains – steam engines and carriages – have been parked on the side of the road, from the time Carahue, and this part of Chile, still had an active railway system.
the small railway museum in Carahue
with its own steam engine, locomitive
and another one,with a full train behind
first class carriage, with stained glass windows
and the back of another carriage
the main colelction of the steam engine museum, a tentative World Heritage Site
most engines have long chimneys, to keep the driver out of the smoke
another well maintained museum piece
the front of another one,made in Britain
there are more steam engines at the other end of town
equally impressive front
But even more enchanting is the main avenue in town, where we encounter the largest collection of steam engines in the world. Along the entire length of the street, in the middle, I-don’t-know-how-many antique steam engines have been displayed, most with enormous chimneys, one even nicer than the other. Mostly well maintained, occasionally with some colour on the wheels. And also further along in town, in the central park, and further in the town we encounter steam engines, really nice. Never seen anything before in my life.
So all together a pleasant surprise, on the way to Temuco.
and something else, the bridge across what is suitably called the Imperial River
Just for the record, most of these engines are known as portables, because unlike other traction engines they cannot move themselves and would have needed a horse or two or a proper traction engine to move to a new location.
They would have tended to burn low calorific value fuels and the tall chimneys are there to improve ‘draughting’. When the time came for them to be moved they are hinged at the base so they will not foul bridges etc.
Carahue is special as you realise, I have read that there are some 32 portables there.
Over the years, steam enthusiasts have arranged to repatriate a number of these from around the country. Once back in the UK (where almost all originated) they will be restored to working order and will then appear at ‘Steam Rallies’.
Thanks, Rob, for the additional information. I just thought it was a wonderful display of machinery.