London-Tokyo By Rail

[NightStar]

Hi Everyone, Just wondering if anyone saw the article about the proposed London Tokyo via Russia railway scheme? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/j...et-in-motion-for-London-Tokyo-train-link.html

Robert

 

[D841 Roebuck]

An interesting article.

I note the estimated costs are considerably less than HS2...

 

[jon0844]

Journey time of two weeks? That's Cross Country style journey time.

 

[pablo]

...and if this gets built, it's New York in four weeks

http://www.interbering.com/

 

[tranzitjim]

Only this week DHL, have started a freight train between Europe and China.

The service uses the new Chengdu to Poland express train operated by YHF Logistics, launched this spring. The 9,826 kilometer (km) rail journey takes 14 days, but cuts transit time by 40 days compared to ocean freight.

Its once-a-week service runs through to its intermodal hub in Malaszewicze, Poland, and the company then trucks shipments to Moscow to offer a 20-day transit time between Chengdu and Moscow, DHL said.

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Take the conclusion for that, Japan is only a stones throw from China. All they need is build a tunnel between Japan and China, link up their respective railways, and you could then run from London to Tokyo by rail.

I like the idea of one great world wide railway network.

 

[gordonthemoron]

however, it's rather closer to Russia and South Korea (can't see a raillink via North Korea working though)

 

[jb]

Take the conclusion for that, Japan is only a stones throw from China. All they need is build a tunnel between Japan and China, link up their respective railways, and you could then run from London to Tokyo by rail.

A bloody big stone's throw (in fact two) assuming the North Korea situation is broadly as it is now. About 250 miles undersea from China to South Korea and something approaching that again to Japan.

If Japan is the primary aim then the stated proposed route via Salakhin is probably "easiest".

 

[pablo]

If Japan is the primary aim then the stated proposed route via Salakhin is probably "easiest".

It's all part of the Master Plan.

 

[Jordeh]

Any word on what gauge these tunnels are in? Given the massive difference between Russian & Cape gauge, I'm guessing mixed gauge track could be used.

 

[northwichcat]

Wasn't there a story a couple of years back talking about London to Shanghai trains?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

...and if this gets built, it's New York in four weeks

http://www.interbering.com/

So for some people they'll be able to get the train there and fly straight back using their entire annual leave in the process.

 

[NightStar]

The best route would of course be via Korea. The era of global railway building is far from dead. It would be nice to have tunnels and bridges connecting almost all the countries. No more need for slow container ships. Use electric freight locos and move the train at 90 mph or 150 mph. Probably need three locomotives at each end of the train?

Robert

 

[island]

Given diplomatic sensitivities in the region I think we'll be waiting some time yet for this!

 

[jb]

It turns out that Sakhalin's rail network is already connected to that of the Russian mainland by train ferry, and a permanent link is mooted (indeed formally planned, although whether it will happen is obviously something else).

So "all" that remains in the way of a (theoretical) London-Tokyo link is the 45km from Sakhalin to Hokkaido, a link for which is also mooted - but seems some way off.

 

[Daverail]

Wow this sounds fantastic

 

[56077GD]

It would be such a novelty to travel to China by train. Many years ago when construction started on the Channel Tunnel there was talk of passenger services to central and southern Europe from cities in Scotland and northern England but sadly nothing much came of it.