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Trans-Siberian Railway Images 14 images Created 22 Oct 2008

The endless Siberian landscape is punctuated, now and then, by a gingerbread village as you watch from the window of The Trans Siberian Railway. But no matter how alluring the scene, you will soon forget its charm as the gentle rocking of the train is about to lull you back to sleep once again. Life on the world's greatest railway results in a blur of images - sepia birch forests, rural station platforms, massive rivers and bridges. Notions of time and space melt away as you cover one quarter of the way around the earth...
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  • Naushki Railway Station on the Trans-Siberian Railway;  Naushki is the border crossing on the border of Russia and Mongolia and the first glimpse of the real Russia for Trans-Mongolia passengers coming from Beijing and Ulan Bator.
    naushki-station.jpg
  • Beijing Railway Station opened in the 1950s, as can be seen from its architecture which merges traditional Chinese architecture with 50s design.<br />
The traffic load of Beijing Railway Station has decreased somewhat with the opening of the Beijing West Railway Station in 1996. Still, it remains a busy railway station. Generally, trains for Manchuria, Mongolia, Shanghai, Nanjing,  Hangzhou depart from this station while the remainder depart from Beijing West.
    beijing-railway-station-2.jpg
  • After braving dust storms, and a long border crossing the train rolls into Ulan Bator station.  Provodnitsa busily clean up the railway carriage before pushing off towards Irkutsk.
    trans-siberian-railway-1.jpg
  • First Class Compartiment on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Plush chintz and fluffy pillows make your home during the 7 day journey from Beijing to Moscow.
    trans-siberian-compartment.jpg
  • All Aboard!  This version of the Trans-Siberian Railway is the "Baikal" which runs between Irkutsk, Siberia  ("The Paris of Siberia") and Moscow.  The Baikal is preferable to "The Rossiya" as it has a shower compartment which comes in handy.  As the trip takes three nights and four days, a shower is a nice thing to have for your comfort, not to mention the olfactory comfort of your fellow passengers.
    trans-siberian-platform-1.jpg
  • Siberia is known for its unique woodwork and architecture.  Even the most modest of buildings have elaborate woodwork decorating the windows.  Very often this woodwork is colorful  an attempt to cheer things up during the long, harsh winters that Siberia is known for.  Though this kind of architecture is to be seen in all parts of Siberia, the best examples are perhaps in Irkutsk - the Paris of Siberia.
    decembrist-cottage-2.jpg
  • The most popular stop along the Trans-Siberian Railway is at Lake Baikal - one of the world's largest, deepest and cleanest lakes.  600 km long and 80 km wide, It is so huge that it contains 20% of the world's fresh water supply.  Sturgeon, salmon and the local speciality, omul, are products of the lake. The train passes by the lake at an unspectacular angle, but most Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian passengers alight at Irkutsk Station and head for the a couple days on the lake.
    lake-baikal-2.jpg
  • Tiny Russian Orthodox church on the shores of Lake Baikal - a popular stopover on the Trans-Siberian railway.
    lake-baikal-church.jpg
  • Spires and Domes at the Exhaltation of the Holy Cross Church, Irkutsk
    exhaltation-of-the-holy-cross.jpg
  • This is the dining car on "The Baikal" the premium version of the Trans-Siberian that runs from Moscow to Irkutsk.  The Baikal has a better than usual dining car; depending on when you visit it and how well you tipped the waitress on your last visit.  Most passengers load up on snacks such as piroshkis and fruit on the platforms.   Still it can be fun to dine en route.
    trans-siberian-dining-car.jpg
  • The Provodnitsa is your friendly  carriage attendant.  Besides keeping the bathrooms and corridors clean, and the samovar boiling with water, her job is also to keep track of your tickets - which she will hold for the duration of your journey, and advise passengers of the time at each stop, usually displayed in sign language or pointing at your watch.  While stretching on the platforms, it is rarely a good idea to stray far from the train, and to keep your eye out on the provenitsas for when they want you to get back on the train.  It would be most unlucky to be stuck in a provincial Mongolian or Russian village till the next train. .
    provodnitsa.jpg
  • Siberia is a lonely, empty place and it especially seems so at twilight.  During the long, harsh winters it seems especially empty and desolate.  Clearly, the best season to take the trip is from May through September.  The comfort of the train, congenial traveling companions and plenty of food from the platform or diner make the trip a jolly experience.  One that you will never forget.
    trans-siberian-railway-2.jpg
  • Wood Paneled Dining Car on the Trans-Mongolian Railway - The Trans-Mongolian, a branch of the Trans-Siberian Railway running from Beijing, through Mongolia onto the Russian border.  The Trans-Mongolian is a popular branch, not only because it starts or ends in Beijing but also passes through some fascinating territory along the way breaking up the endless Siberian landscape with even more exotic Mongolia.
    trans-mongolian-dining-car.jpg
  • Siberian Rural Haystack - During the warmer months, which don't last long in Siberia, the area is primarily agricultural with vast farms and forests.
    siberian-farm.jpg