New Delhi: There are many railway stations in the world which have interesting features and offer breathtaking views, and the Tanggula Railway Station is one of them. It is the highest railway station in the world and is located at a picturesque yet isolated place. The station sits on the vast Tibetan Plateau, a high-altitude landscape beset by permafrost. In this article, we will learn more about this unique railway station.
Tanggula Railway Station: The highest rail station in the world
The Tanggula Railway Station is located at an elevation of 16,627 feet above sea level. It is a station of the Qinghai-Tibet railway line of the Chinese Railways and is the world’s highest railway station. Since its official inauguration on July 1, 2006, it has held the record surpassing Peru’s Ticlio station at 15,843 feet above sea level. The station is located over half a mile from the rail track’s highest point at a height of about 16,640 feet. The platform of the Tanggula Railway Station was chosen for the scenic beauty of the place.
The station is situated in Tibet Autonomous Region’s Amdo County near the border of Tanggula town in the Qinghai province of China. It has three tracks, including one main platform and a very small platform. The construction of the station is an astounding feat, one that had to overcome numerous problems, particularly on the Golmud to Lhasa section due to extremely high altitudes and permafrost.
A desolate station with no staff
A train passing through to Tibet can make a stop at the Tanggula Railway Station to wait for another train coming from the other direction to pass. However, passengers on board the train could not exit the Tibet train at that point. The surrounding area is pretty much uninhabited with the station serving as a stop-off for repairs or emergencies and there are no passenger transport services available other than the train. Notably, the station has no staff due to the fact that passengers do not disembark there and also because of the altitude.
The platform stretches for more than half a mile and the station has a waiting room with oxygen-generating devices to prevent its passengers from getting altitude sickness. The station’s location was specially chosen for the view from the platform as the surrounding landscape is extremely beautiful. The Tanggula Railway Station is not just a transit point but an extraordinary engineering achievement set against a backdrop of stunning natural beauty. A visit here promises breathtaking views, and it is a must-see destination for adventurers and travelers alike.
The Tanggula Railway Station, located on the Tibetan Plateau, holds the record as the world’s highest railway station at 16,627 feet. A marvel of engineering, its construction overcame significant challenges posed by high altitude and permafrost. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
