Trans-Siberian Railroad

0: Trans-Siberian Railroad

1: Trans-Siberian Railroad

2: Trans-Siberian Railroad

3: Moscow

In 1891, Czar Alexander III drew up plans for the Trans-Siberian Railway and initiated its construction. It was to start in Moscow because Moscow was the country’s capital. Unfortunately, he died before the Railroad was completed. Later his son completed the consturction and it opened a new route across Siberia.

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4: Ekaterinburg

Ekaterinburg was founded in 1721 as a military fort due to it’s strategic proximity to the great mining operations of the Urals and Siberia. With so many natural resources in the area it made it easy to build factories here. Soon after the war was over the city hit a building boom. There is little tourism here but the historical impact from the railroad was definitely made.

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5: Novosibirsk

As the railroad approaches the town of Novosibirsk, the mighty Ob River comes into sight. The building of the trestle for the track to allow the train over the river gorge was an engineering accomplishment for the time. The most majestic station along the Trans-Siberian Railroad was constructed near Novosibirsk in 1939, just before WWII.

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6: Irkutsk

Irkutsk started out as a stop along a Chinese caravan route. Even though it is small it is one of the wealthiest cities in Siberia. The Trans-Siberian Railroad helped make this city well known around the world. Also it helped with tourism. In 1998, the city held a festival to commerrate the Trans-Siberian Railroad.

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7: Khabarovsk

Placed on a hill overlooking the Amur River, Khabarovsk was a military outpost to make sure that no one could attack them from the sea. The town gained importance during the nineteenth century as a trading outpost. Today it is one of the most important and promising cities of the Russian Far East, known for its sandy beaches and palm lined walk ways.

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8: Vladivostok

Vladivostok was founded in 1860 as a military outpost, but its outstanding natural harbor soon brought it prosperity as a trading port. With that being the only port city in Siberia it became a center of trade. Because of that factor the Trans-Siberian Railroad was built there. You have now concluded your trip on the Trans-Siberian Railroad across two continents, through 8 time zones, for a distance of almost 6000 miles in seven days.

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