A holiday on the Trans-Siberian Railway is on most travellers’ bucket list, which isn’t surprising, as the mysterious eastern railway offers the tourist a unique experience. In order to fully appreciate this amazing train journey, here are some interesting points to note about the Trans-Siberian Railway.
The Trans-Siberian Railway is the Longest Railway in the World
The track stretches an amazing 9,289km and runs from Moscow to Beijing, with two branches that divert to Mongolia and Ulaanbaatar, the nation’s capital. If you would like to make a booking with Trans Siberian railroad tours, there are online tour operators who can help you to plan your trip.
The Trans-Siberian Railway is 102 Years Old
In 2016, the Trans-Siberian Railway had its 100-year celebration, as the railway was started during the reign of Emperor Alexander III, and it took a long time for the Russians to agree on the terms of the funding. The Russian administration wanted total control, and there was a delay of more than 20 years, due to the fact that an agreement could not be made regarding control of the line.
The Amur Bridge Spans 26,000 metres
This makes it the longest bridge on the network, and it is a spectacular feat of engineering, which is one of the highlights of the journey. There are also more articles that look at the colourful history of the Trans-Siberian Railway, which makes for an interesting read.
The Mongolian and Russian Railway Lines Are Different Gauges
When the train reaches the Chinese border, the train has to be lifted onto another set of wheels so the journey can continue, as the Chinese railway uses a different gauge than Russia and Mongolia.
Eight Different Time Zones
From start to finish, the passenger will cross a total of 8 time zones, yet while in Russia, all trains run according to Moscow time, while when the train is in China or Mongolia, it reverts to local time, which can be very confusing.
Mass of Manpower
More than 60,000 workers built the railway, with a mixture of soldiers, convicts and local labourers. The railway was finally finished in 1916, and since that time, the railway tracks are constantly being repaired.
If you are thinking of booking a berth on the Trans-Siberian Railway, you are advised to do so well in advance of your planned travel dates, as this train gets very busy, not just with tourists, but also Russian people, who used the route to get from one region to another. The online tour operator who specialises in these tours would have all the information you would need to plan your holiday, and with a choice of routes that take in Mongolia and China. It is worth considering what time of the year to take this train journey, and many tourists prefer spring or autumn when there are fewer people, and the temperatures are not as high as in the summer.
Knowing about the history of this epic train journey is sure to enhance the experience, which will be a holiday you will never forget.
I'm Squibb Vicious, better known as Haydy!
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