Shanghai Maglev Train, China

The Shanghai Maglev Train or Shanghai Transrapid  is the first commercially operated high-speed magnetic levitation line in the world and only the third Maglev line to be operated. The train line was designed to connect Shanghai Pudong International Airport and the outskirts of central Pudong where passengers could interchange to the Shanghai Metro to continue their trip to the city center.

Gotuwala Nine Arch Viaduct, Demodara, Sri Lanka

A Sri Lankan Express Train between the capital Colombo and the main line terminus at Badulla enters the Nine Arch Viaduct also known as the Gotuwala Viaduct  between Demaodera and Ella Railway Stations in the Uva Provice. In a seperate post I have written about this viaduct. Recently the Sri Lanka Postal Authorities issued two stamps to commemorate the Engineering marvels of the Sri Lankan Railways. One stamp shows the viaduct and the other the Spiral Railway at Demodera.

Steam Locomotive in Mexico in 1910.

Steam Locomotives were a popular mode of transport during the days of the revolution in Mexico.

The Canadian Pacific, Canada.

The Canadian Pacific Railway founded in 1881 and now operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited It owns approximately 14,000 miles (22,500 km) of track all across Canada and into the United States, stretching from Montreal to Vancouver and as far north as Edmonton. Its rail network also serves major cities in the United States, such as Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Detroit, Chicago and New York City. The railway was originally built between Eastern Canada and British Columbia between 1881 and 1885 fulfilling a promise extended to British Columbia when it entered Confederation in 1871. Its primary passenger services were eliminated in 1986, after being assumed by Via Rail Canada. The trains journey is known as the scenic dome route across Canada.

Stem Locomotive JL 3448 along the Moscow Little Ring Railway, Russia.

Steam locomotives class "L" (2-10-0) moves with tourist train along Moscow Little Ring Railway. The Russian steam locomotive class "L" (type 2-10-0) was a main type of Russian steam locomotives after Second World War. It was built between 1947 and 1955; 4200 locomotives were built. In nowadays is about 10 such locomotives remained in work in Russia. The Moscow Little Ring Railway is a ring-shaped railway which encircles the center of the city of Moscow. It was built between 1902 and 1908 and is currently used for cargo traffic. The railroad is operated by the Moscow Railway. The total length of the ring is 54 kilometres (34 miles).

Massawa - Asmara Railway Line, Eritrea.

The construction of the narrow-gauge railway line between Massawa and Asmara begun in Autumn of 1887 by the Italians to provide supply routes to the advanced army positions  as well as the transportation of raw materials intended to be mined in Eritrea. The line reached Asmara in December 1911 and the Agordat terminus in 1928. 

The trains, surplus material of Italian origin, serviced 30 stations, took 1548 curves, and were plunging in and out 39 tunnels,  passing 65 bridges and viaducts. 38 trains were running in 24 hours in each direction on the Asmara - Massawa line. The historic railway covered 306.4 kms on a route from the port of Massawa to Agordat via Asmara and Keren. 

 Its route ascends from the coastal plain at sea level, clinging tightly to the edge of the steep escarpment before reaching the Asmara plateau at 2394 meters above sea level and then descending to an altitude of 650 meters to the Barka lowlands in Agordat. This sharp increase and decrease in altitude within a short distance, the beautiful scenery it crosses, and the artistically built bridges and tunnels makes the line uniquely spectacular. 

. It had been deteriorating due to the negligence of the Ethiopian administration. The railway stopped its operation in 1975 during the war of liberation, when Ethiopian forces destroyed the railway, and finally was closed in 1976. After 20 years of destruction, despite other priorities, the government of Eritrea launched a project to rehabilitate the railway system in May 1994, 

The service between Massawa and Ghinda resumed in 1996 and the Massawa - Asmara line was completed in February 2003. The stretch between Nefasit and Asmara is the most remarkable. With over 20 tunnels, 65 bridges and viaducts and an incline of 1:30 this section is a triumph of Italian engineering, and now a symbol of national pride and self-reliance. 

It is a fascinating experience to enjoy the marvelous authentic 1930s vintage Mallet steam locomotive or Littorina railcar ride run by senior operators, older than the locomotives themselves. It is one of the most tortuous mountain railways on earth, through a picturesque scenery, tunnels and bridges, that make the line spectacular and one of the best tourist sights in the world.