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Railways have long affirmed their role as an important and irreplaceable transportation route for many countries in the world. With the outstanding advantage in transporting large volumes of goods and passengers over huge distances, the railway infrastructure system is increasingly invested in, expanded and modernized.
There have appeared in the world railway lines of incredible length, up to nearly ten thousand kilometers, acting as vital traffic axes, connecting key economic regions and strongly promoting socio-economic development. These lines are not only great engineering works but also symbols of cross-border and cross-continental connections.
Trans-Siberian Railway (Russia)
Topping the list of the world's longest railways is Russia's Trans-Siberian Railway, which is approximately 9,289 km long. Completed in 1916, the line connects the capital Moscow in the west with the city of Vladivostok on the Pacific coast, running through the entire country. The line is known as the backbone of Russian transport, passing through 87 cities and more than 16 major rivers of the land of White Birch.
The Siberian Railway uses a standard gauge of 1,520 mm. To meet growing transport demand, some sections have been electrified and upgraded to two lanes. It is a massive engineering feat, using more than 400 bridges and 15 tunnels, contributing to the transport of nearly 30% of the country's rail freight. Each train on the line can be 20-40 cars long, carrying about 1,200 passengers or more than 1,000 tons of cargo, playing a strategic role in connecting Europe with Asian seaports.
Along with the Siberian Line, Russia also has the Baikal Amur Mainline (BAM), which is about 4,287 km long. The BAM line runs parallel to the Siberian, about 400 km to the north. This line was built in the complex terrain and harsh weather conditions of the Siberian region, and was not completed until 1984. The BAM passes through hundreds of bridges and more than 20 tunnels through the mountains, including the Severomuysky Tunnel, which is nearly 16 km long. The BAM is currently a strategic transport route, helping to distribute the load for the Siberian, especially important in mineral exploitation and transporting goods to Pacific ports.
Canadian Pacific Railway
The Canadian Pacific Railway, approximately 7,787 km long, is an iconic Canadian project completed in 1885 and has a profound historical significance in connecting the vast territories of this country. The route connects Montreal on the East Coast with Vancouver on the West Coast, crossing many different terrains and climates, from the cold plains to the majestic Rocky Mountains.
The route uses a standard gauge of 1,435 mm, has more than 600 bridges and 28 tunnels through the mountains. Today, this route is still the main traffic axis for the transportation of agricultural products, crude oil and industrial goods in Canada, with cargo trains capable of carrying up to 5,000 tons, and passenger trains with a capacity of about 1,000 people.
Trans-Australian Railway
In Australia, the Australian Railway, a 4,352 km long line connecting Sydney and Perth, was completed in 1970. It was the first standard gauge railway to run across the Australian continent, crossing the Nullarbor Plain desert. The line is famous for having the longest straight section of track in the world, at 478 km without a single bend. The 1,435 mm gauge track is specially designed to withstand large thermal expansion due to temperature changes from 0°C to over 40°C. The line is a masterpiece of engineering, ensuring the connection between the two oceans and supporting efficient transcontinental transport, with each train carrying 700-800 passengers or thousands of tons of cargo.
Mongolian Railway
Another trans-Asian journey is the Mongolian Railway, which is approximately 2,215 km long. This line connects Russia with China, passing through the vast steppes and majestic natural landscapes of Mongolia, offering a unique cultural and scenic experience for travelers.
