Estrada de Ferro Madeira-Mamoré
This was one of the most famous Brazilian railroads, also known as "A
Ferrovia da Morte" (The Death Railway) or "Mad Maria". Due to tropical fever and other
illnesses, many workers died, and a legend says that there is a dead man for
each sleeper of this railroad. It was built in the northwestern Brazilian
jungle in the beginning of the century, mainly to transport rubber. Ironically,
its construction delayed so
much that, when the railroad was ready, there was almost no rubber to
transport. At that time, the cheaper Malaysian rubber production dominated
the market. Eventually, the railroad survived until 1972, when
a paralel road was built.
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Last Update: 28 September 2001
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© Antonio Augusto Gorni