10 Hauntingly Beautiful Abandoned Railroads to Explore
Urban exploration has become an increasingly popular hobby in recent years, with many adventurers seeking out abandoned buildings, factories, and other structures. One particularly intriguing aspect of urban exploration is the exploration of abandoned railroads. These once-busy transportation systems have been left to rust and decay, leaving behind eerie and fascinating relics of a bygone era. In this post, we will take a look at 10 of the most interesting abandoned railroads in the world.
1. The Dawlish Sea Wall Railway – Devon, UK
The Dawlish Sea Wall Railway was built in 1846 as part of the Great Western Railway network. The line runs along the coast between Exeter and Plymouth and includes a stretch that runs right alongside the sea on a wall made from thousands of tons of rock. However, due to coastal erosion, parts of this line are now closed off to trains but can still be seen up close during low tide.
2. Abandoned Subway Tunnel – Rochester NY
Rochester’s subway system operated for just over three decades before it was closed down in 1956 due to increasing competition from cars and buses. While much of the system has been dismantled or repurposed since then, one section remains largely untouched: an underground tunnel running beneath Broad Street that served as a pedestrian walkway for several years after the subway shut down.
3. The Atlas Coal Mine Railway – Alberta Canada
Located near Drumheller Alberta Canada is one of North America’s largest coal mines which had its own railway lines used to transport coal around its mining operations until it was finally shut down in 1979 when they ceased all production at Atlas Coal Mine.
4. Abandoned Railroad Bridge – Bandon Oregon USA
The railroad bridge located outside Bandon Oregon is part of what used to be called “the graveyard route” which ran from Coos Bay southward towards California carrying lumber products out into markets further eastward across the United States. The bridge was abandoned in the 1940s and is now a popular spot for tourists to take pictures of.
5. The Abandoned Railroad Tunnel – Cedar Hill, Utah USA
The Cedar Hill railroad tunnel is located near the town of Price, Utah, and was built in 1903 as part of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad system. It was used to transport coal from mines in Carbon County until it was eventually shut down due to declining demand for coal-based energy. Today, visitors can hike up to the entrance of the tunnel and explore its eerily quiet interior.
6. The Abandoned Railway Station – Detroit Michigan USA
Detroit’s Michigan Central Station opened its doors in 1913 and served as a busy transportation hub for several decades before falling into disrepair and being shuttered in 1988. Despite numerous proposals over the years for redevelopment projects, the station has remained largely untouched since then.
7. The Abandoned Railroad Bridge – Kinzua Viaduct PA USA
Located outside Kane Pennsylvania this viaduct was once one of America’s most impressive engineering feats standing at just over 300 feet tall with iron lattice support beams stretching across nearly half a mile long but after heavy winds knocked out some supporting pillars back in July 2003 it has been left abandoned ever since.
8. Portland’s Old Rail Lines – Oregon USA
Portland’s rail system operated throughout much of the city from around 1900 through World War II when they were finally phased out due to increased competition from automobiles on roads that had expanded during this time period replacing rails with asphalt instead making travel by car more accessible than never before leaving behind many relics such as old stations or signs scattered throughout town which are still visible today if you know where to look.
9. The Old Narrow Gauge Railway – Crete Greece
Built-in early-20th century Crete Greece these railways were narrow-gauge which meant they could navigate through the tight hillsides and rocky terrain of Crete. The railway lines on this island were used to transport people, goods, and materials for over half a century before finally being closed down in 1961.
10. Abandoned Railroad Roundhouse – Albany New York USA
Built-in the early 1900s as a maintenance facility for steam locomotives servicing multiple train lines throughout Upstate New York it was eventually abandoned after rail travel decreased due to the advent of modern day transportation methods such as diesel engines or trucks.
In conclusion, exploring abandoned railroads can be an exciting way to discover history while experiencing something new. These ten locations offer unique perspectives on what once was a bustling network of transportation that has since been left behind. While some have been repurposed or restored, others remain hauntingly beautiful reminders of our past.