7 Most Amazing Railway Tracks

Zem TV

15 Jul 202106:44

Summary

TLDRThe video discusses unique and fascinating railway tracks around the world, highlighting places where trains navigate challenging terrains such as mountains and rivers. It covers examples from Switzerland, Japan, New Zealand, and the USA, including the world's slowest train in the Swiss Alps, a train route that crosses an airport runway in New Zealand, and a railway system in Japan where trains run below the tracks. The script also touches on historical aspects, such as the 'Death Railway' in Thailand, built during World War II under harsh conditions, making it one of the most dangerous tracks.

Takeaways

🚆 Railway crossings usually make cars wait, but in New Zealand, there’s one where ships have to wait instead.
⚙️ The railway system was invented around 200 years ago due to the lack of other transportation options at the time.
🏔️ Switzerland's steepest railway track climbs 1,600 meters in just 0.6 kilometers, aided by special wheel designs to prevent slipping.
🛬 In New Zealand, there's an airport with a runway crossed by a railway line, requiring coordination between air and railway traffic.
🚉 The Glacier Express in Switzerland is one of the slowest trains in the world, taking 8 hours to travel 291 kilometers through mountains and tunnels.
🚞 Switzerland's spiral railway tracks were designed to gradually increase height, allowing trains to climb steep inclines more easily.
🌀 Japan's Sonal Monorail, launched in 1972, operates with trains running below the track, connecting two areas over a short distance.
☠️ The Death Railway in Thailand was built during World War II using over 100,000 war prisoners, with more than 50% dying during its construction.
🌲 Ohio, USA, has one of the most dangerous railway tracks due to unstable, soft ground, causing parts of the track to sink regularly.
🛤️ Many railway tracks pass through challenging terrains like mountains and rivers, requiring innovative engineering solutions.

Q & A

What is unique about the railway crossing in New Zealand mentioned in the script?
-In New Zealand, there is a railway crossing where cars have to wait for ships to pass instead of trains, making it quite unique compared to typical railway crossings.
How does Switzerland's fastest railway track overcome the challenge of steep ascents?
-Switzerland's fastest railway track uses specially designed railcars with cogwheels that prevent slipping while ascending steep heights, allowing trains to cover 1600 meters of elevation in just 0.6 kilometers.
What makes New Zealand's airport in Gas Don't unique?
-The airport in Gas Don't, New Zealand, is unique because a railway line crosses its runway. The airport’s control tower coordinates not only with pilots but also with railway operators to ensure safety during landings and takeoffs.
Why is the Glacier Express in Switzerland known as the slowest train in the world?
-The Glacier Express is known as the slowest train in the world because it travels through mountainous regions, including snow-covered peaks, at a very slow speed, taking 8 hours to complete a journey that spans 291 kilometers.
What is the purpose of Switzerland's 'Spiral Viaduct'?
-Switzerland’s Spiral Viaduct, launched in 1903, was designed to help trains ascend heights gradually by spiraling upwards, allowing them to overcome steep slopes that regular trains couldn’t handle.
How does Japan’s Sonal Monorail network differ from traditional train systems?
-Japan’s Sonal Monorail network is unique because the trains travel underneath the tracks, unlike traditional train systems where trains run on top of the rails.
Why is the Burma Railway referred to as the 'Death Railway'?
-The Burma Railway is called the 'Death Railway' because over 100,000 prisoners of war were forced to work under harsh conditions to build it during World War II, with more than 50% of them dying due to mistreatment.
What is the danger associated with the railway track between Napoleon and Defiance in Ohio, USA?
-The railway track between Napoleon and Defiance is considered dangerous due to its steep and uneven terrain. The soft ground often causes the track to sink, making it hazardous for trains to navigate.
Why hasn’t the dangerous section of the railway track in Ohio been permanently repaired?
-Despite numerous repair attempts, the dangerous section of the Ohio railway track has not been permanently fixed because the ground beneath it is too soft, causing the track to frequently sink.
What is significant about Switzerland’s Furka Tunnel?
-Switzerland’s Furka Tunnel is notable for being 16 kilometers long and part of the Glacier Express journey, offering a breathtaking passage through the Alps at high altitudes.

Outlines

00:00

🚉 Unique Railway Crossings Around the World

The paragraph introduces various railway crossings and tracks across the world, starting with a unique railway crossing in New Zealand where ships, instead of vehicles, have to wait for trains to pass. It describes how railways were developed nearly 200 years ago, and highlights how challenging it can be to build tracks in diverse terrains such as mountains and rivers. Notable examples include Switzerland's fastest railway track, where a train climbs a 1,600-meter elevation in a very short distance using specially designed wheels. It also discusses New Zealand's Gas Town, home to an airport whose runway is intersected by a railway line, requiring coordination between air and train traffic for safe operations.

05:01

⚰️ The Grim History of the Death Railway

This paragraph delves into the tragic history of the 'Death Railway,' officially known as the Burma Railway. It recounts how this railway was constructed during World War II by Japan's empire to supply food and weapons to troops. Over 100,000 war prisoners were forced into labor to complete the 415-kilometer track under inhumane conditions, leading to the deaths of more than 50% of the workers. Many of the deceased were buried alongside the track, which is why the railway gained its grim moniker.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Railway Crossing

A railway crossing is an intersection where a road crosses railroad tracks. In the video, it is noted that in many places, vehicles often have to wait for passing trains. A unique example from New Zealand is highlighted where ships have to wait due to the design of a particular railway crossing.

💡New Zealand Railway Crossing

In New Zealand, a railway crossing exists where ships are forced to wait for trains, which is an unusual occurrence. This is due to the placement of tracks in a location where both land and water vehicles are impacted by the railway system, showcasing unique infrastructure planning.

💡Switzerland Railway Tracks

Switzerland has some of the most challenging and scenic railway tracks, particularly through mountainous regions. The video explains the intricate design of tracks that climb steep elevations, such as the one that goes from a village at 4064 meters down to a location at 2018 meters, requiring special train designs.

💡Glacier Express

The Glacier Express is a famous Swiss train that travels through beautiful, snow-covered mountains. Despite being called an express, it is actually one of the slowest trains in the world, taking eight hours to complete its 291-kilometer journey due to the difficult terrain.

💡Spiral Viaduct

The Spiral Viaduct is a specially designed railway track in Switzerland built in 1903. It allows trains to gradually climb steep elevations by following a spiral route, helping them overcome the limitations of engine power on sharp inclines. This unique structure is highlighted in the video for its innovative design.

💡Monorail Network

A monorail network is a type of railway system where trains run on a single rail. The video describes Japan’s Sonol Monorail Network, one of the first of its kind, which connects different areas efficiently and quickly, despite its relatively short length of 6.5 kilometers.

💡Death Railway

The Death Railway refers to the Burma-Siam Railway built during World War II by Japanese forces using forced labor from war prisoners. The construction was notoriously brutal, leading to the deaths of thousands of laborers. Despite its tragic history, the railway is still in use today.

💡Ohio Railway Track

The railway track in Ohio, between Napoleon and Defiance, is one of the most dangerous in the world. The video explains that the track is uneven and built over soft ground, causing it to sink in places, which makes train travel extremely challenging and dangerous on this route.

💡Soft Ground Railway Issue

In certain areas, like the Ohio railway track mentioned in the video, soft ground causes sections of the track to sink over time, despite efforts to repair it. This issue affects the stability and safety of trains, requiring them to slow down significantly to avoid accidents.

💡War Prisoners

War prisoners were forced to work on the construction of the Death Railway during World War II. The video highlights the extreme hardships faced by these prisoners, including brutal conditions and high mortality rates, contributing to the tragic legacy of the railway.

Highlights

In New Zealand, there's a unique railway crossing where ships have to wait for trains to pass, reversing the usual scenario.

The railway system was invented about 200 years ago, and countries quickly adopted it due to a lack of other transport options at the time.

Switzerland is home to the world’s fastest railway track, which covers an altitude of 1,600 meters in just 0.6 kilometers.

Specially designed rail cars in Switzerland help manage steep slopes, allowing trains to climb and descend safely.

In New Zealand, a railway line crosses through an airport runway, requiring coordination between the control tower and the railway system for safe takeoff and landing.

Switzerland's Glacier Express is the slowest train in the world, taking 8 hours to complete a journey due to its mountainous and snowy terrain.

The Glacier Express travels through 91 tunnels and crosses a 4-feet-high bridge, showcasing its remarkable engineering in challenging landscapes.

A unique spiral railway bridge in Switzerland helps trains ascend 20 meters in a short distance, overcoming steep gradients.

Japan launched the world’s first suspended rail network, where trains run underneath the track, offering a unique transportation solution.

Japan’s Sonal Monorail system, with a total length of just 6.5 kilometers, connects two areas and completes the journey in only 14 minutes.

The ‘Death Railway’ in Myanmar, constructed during World War II, was built by prisoners of war under brutal conditions, with over half of the workers perishing during its construction.

Over 100,000 war prisoners were used to build Myanmar’s ‘Death Railway,’ a 415-kilometer track essential for Japan’s military operations during World War II.

In Ohio, USA, the most dangerous railway track runs between Napoleon and Defiance, characterized by steep slopes and uneven ground.

The Ohio railway’s issues are caused by soft ground in the surrounding jungle, which frequently causes the track to sink.

Despite attempts to repair Ohio's dangerous railway, the soft ground has made it impossible to fully resolve the issue, forcing trains to drastically reduce their speed.