Tough Trains

Episode Overview

Since the 1860s, Bolivia has gradually lost land to its neighbors, becoming landlocked without access to coastal ports. In response, Chile and Brazil built railways connecting Bolivia to their coasts, but these routes have suffered from poor maintenance and underinvestment. The journey begins in Corumbá, Brazil, and follows the historic railway from Brazil to the Chilean coast. Along the way, Bolivia’s disconnected and underused rail networks are evident, isolating many communities. In Potosí, the railway remains vital for transporting minerals, and the route continues through the Uyuni Salt Flats to La Paz, where once-busy rail lines have been replaced by a cable car system. The journey ends at the Chilean coast, illustrating Bolivia’s ongoing struggle to maintain its essential rail connections.