The History of Trans-Siberian Railway

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The Trans-Siberian Railway: A Brief History

The Trans-Siberian Railway was created to help alleviate the issue of transporting goods (and people) across Russia, which is, after all, the world’s largest country. The project was ambitious, and proved to be hugely popular with Russian citizens. Unfortunately, however, construction was slow, and completing the project took far longer than anticipated.

Several decades after the railway was proposed, and after numerous delays in funding, in February 1891, construction finally started in both Chelyabinsk and Vladivostok. For the Russian people, the Trans-Siberian railway was a source of national pride.

Alexander III, the Emperor of Russia at the time, had far reaching ambitions for his country and immediately saw the economic benefit that the railway could bring. It didn’t take long for him to direct the construction of the Trans-Siberian all the way through the expansive, rugged Siberian terrain. He trusted this important task to his son Nikolay, and on May 31, 1891, the construction of the railway entered its next phase.

Overcoming the Odds

Construction was slow and plagued by delays. Russia’s unforgiving climate, particularly in Siberia, with its bitingly cold winters, rough terrain, powerful rivers, and dense mountainous areas, created numerous obstacles. Construction crews had to improvise as they went, even building bridges to cross canyons, in order to achieve their goals.

But these weren’t the only challenges. A project this large required thousands of laborers, and enormous amounts of money. To alleviate worker shortages, construction managers had to get creative. At one point, former prisoners were even enlisted to help build the railway.

The Russian people were determined, however, and the project was completed 12 years later. An incredible 7,500 kilometers of tracks were laid! Enough to bring Europe to the Pacific Ocean from Moscow to Vladivostok.

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Room for Improvement

As every growing economy knows, efficient transportation is key to moving goods and connecting with hard-to-reach consumers. Once the Trans-Siberian railway was complete, the impact was immediate. Towns once out of reach, were now accessible, and eager to participate in this new economy. Unfortunately, the railway was soon tested by the Russo-Japanese war. The increased pressure of wartime needs strained the railway’s ability to efficiently move people and goods.

After the war, it was determined that the trains needed improved capacity limits, and they needed to move across the country more quickly. Changing the rails from wood to metal allowed for more trains to travel at faster speeds throughout Russia.

The Trans-Sibrian Today

A Look to the Future

The one hundred year anniversary of the Trans-Siberian Railway in 2001 marked a momentous moment in the train’s history. As part of the celebrations, and to demonstrate the train’s continued relevance in the Russian economy, organizers arranged for goods to be shipped from Japan to Vladivostok, and then to continental Europe, by way of Germany.

Astoundingly, the experiment was an incredible success! The train transported the goods more quickly than a sea-faring cargo ship! This successful trial ultimately led to an increase in trade with countries like South Korea, who were impressed by the iconic train’s reliability and speed.

Meeting Modern Channenges

Like anything as incredibly large and complex as the Trans-Siberian railway, challenges abound, and increasing efficiency is key to a successful future. Today, a different kind of challenge has emerged, as Eastern shipping companies have blocked the Trans-Siberian from transporting goods between the two continents.

Unlike previous challenges that required engineering solutions, this solution requires a more nuanced, multinational approach. Leveraging existing relationships with South Korea, and other emerging regional economies could bring the stalemate to an end. The most challenging issue for leisure travelers is navigating border crossings on the western piece of the railway. (Take a look at our Travel Diary - An Insider's Guide to the Trans-Siberian).

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A Changing of the Guard

What began as Alexander III’s vision of uniting the riches of Siberia with the rest of Russia, via a powerful train that would one day be known as the Trans-Siberian, has turned into so much more. In today’s Russia, the Trans-Siberian has become as much a symbol of Russia as it has a way to transport goods, cargo, and people across the rugged landscape. Russian President Vladimir Putin even uses the train to travel to countries like North Korea, rather than flying.

After over a century in use, incredibly, the Trans-Siberian railway is as popular as ever with foreigners traveling within the country, and locals. It’s not impossible to think that the Trans-Siberian will one day, once again, become a transportation behemoth, a new Silk Road for the region, spreading economic growth along with it. For now, the Trans-Siberian railway’s relevance to Russia remains untouched. It continues to be a source of pride for the country, and a source of inspiration for the future.