This article lists the highest railways in the world. The table only includes non-cable passenger railways whose culminating point is over 3,000 metres above sea level, regardless of their location, gauge or type.
For simplicity, absolute elevation is the only criterion of this list, though two places at exactly the same elevation above sea level can have drastically different topographic or climatic conditions. For example, the permanent snow line is located at sea level near the poles, at 3,000 metres in the Alps and at 6,000 metres in some areas of the Andes and the Himalayas. The tree line also depends on latitude, thus making comparisons between elevations difficult on a world scale. At high altitudes, snow, cold, wind and harsh weather conditions make construction and maintenance an expensive challenge.
Before the opening of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway in China, currently the highest in the world, the highest three railways were located in the Andean countries of Peru and Bolivia. In the Alps, the Jungfrau Railway has the particularity of reaching an elevation that is higher than the local snow line.
For a list by country, without elevation cutoff, see List of highest railways by country.
List
Current passenger railways Railway line Highest point Highest elevation Country Opened NotesXining-Golmud-Lhasa Tanggula 2006 Lima–Huancayo Galera Summit Tunnel 1893 Highest railway in the AmericasRio Mulatos–Potosí Cóndor Cuzco-Lake Titicaca La Raya Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway Pikes Peak Summit 1891 / 2017, 2021 Highest railway in North America. Reopened in 2021 Salta–Antofagasta La Polvorilla 1948 "Tren a las Nubes" tourist service between San Antonio de los Cobres and La PolvorillaQuito-GuayaquilUrbina1908Reopened 2011Lanzhou–Xinjiang High-Speed RailwayQilianshan No.2 Tunnel2014Highest high-speed railwayJungfrau Railway Jungfraujoch 1912 Highest railway in Europe, underground above 2,350 m.Leadville, Colorado and Southern Railroad Leadville Highest adhesion railway currently in operation in North AmericaGornergrat Railway Gornergrat 1898 Highest open-air railway in EuropeCumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Cumbres Pass 1881 Highest narrow gauge railroad in North America
Closed railways Railway line Highest point Highest elevation Country Opened / closed NotesSalta–AntofagastaAbra Chorrillos1948Freight only, formerly also a passenger railway. Actually only takes passengers till La PolvorillaArica–La PazGeneral Lagos 1913 / 2005Argentine Central RailwayMount McClellan1906 / 1918Highest regular adhesion railway in the United StatesAntofagasta-La PazAscotán 1873Freight only, formerly also a passenger railwayDenver South Park & Pacific Alpine Tunnel 1882 / 1910 Mendoza–Los Andes Los Caracoles 1910 / 1984 DRG&W Tennessee Pass Route Tennessee Pass 1881 / 1997 Out of service. Can be reactivated if traffic permits.
See also Bhanupli–Leh line, railway project that would be the highest in the world List of highest railways by country List of highest railways in Europe List of railway stations
References
External links Infos at mikes.railhistory.railfan.net