Germany - China Rail link

[odie1kanobe]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7180906.stm

A dedicated Germany - China rail freight link scheduled to open in 2008 would mean a 20 day journey for freight instead of the minimum current 40 day by sea. In addition any closure of the Suez could have its impact reduced.

Of course if they developed the line to take the containers sideways instead of lengthways the capacity would be massive.

Long felt that a route like this could up up some of the Russian Far east in the same way in the 19th Century that the coming of the railway opened up the old west.

It could have a significant impact for companies in Western Europe as the level of inventory required to service existing business could be cut by 4 weeks thereby freeing up lots of working capital for investment.

[Auditor #9]

Of course if they developed the line to take the containers sideways instead of lengthways the capacity would be massive.

(They're not taking passengers I presume)

[seabhcan]

Long felt that a route like this could up up some of the Russian Far east in the same way in the 19th Century that the coming of the railway opened up the old west.

I don't think it will make much difference to the Russian far east. This is Cargo - not tourists. The transit fees go to Moscow, and the physical train line is in place.

[riven]

Of course if they developed the line to take the containers sideways instead of lengthways the capacity would be massive.

(They're not taking passengers I presume)

Actually freighters sometimes can accept a small number of passangers. This is rare but routine on freight by sea so maybe?

[odie1kanobe]

Long felt that a route like this could up up some of the Russian Far east in the same way in the 19th Century that the coming of the railway opened up the old west.

I don't think it will make much difference to the Russian far east. This is Cargo - not tourists. The transit fees go to Moscow, and the physical train line is in place.

Don't discount it as even with freight trains there will be stopping off points for refuelling / changes of personnel / servicing / security.

[seabhcan]

Long felt that a route like this could up up some of the Russian Far east in the same way in the 19th Century that the coming of the railway opened up the old west.

I don't think it will make much difference to the Russian far east. This is Cargo - not tourists. The transit fees go to Moscow, and the physical train line is in place.

Don't discount it as even with freight trains there will be stopping off points for refuelling / changes of personnel / servicing / security.

Ya, but there's a lot of traffic on the Trans-Siberian anyway. Its very busy.

[soubresauts]

Some of you don't seem to be aware that, for many decades now, people have been travelling overland -- by train -- from Germany to China. You just buy your ticket and go, maybe arranging a visa or two in advance. Via Moscow, Irkutsk, Ulaanbaatar, Beijing...

[odie1kanobe]

Some of you don't seem to be aware that, for many decades now, people have been travelling overland -- by train -- from Germany to China. You just buy your ticket and go, maybe arranging a visa or two in advance. Via Moscow, Irkutsk, Ulaanbaatar, Beijing...

I am well aware as someone did the route from North of Scotland through whole of Europe and onto Beijing by train thinking it was longest but then added on the journey to Hanoi to make it even longer.

[Gimpanzee]

Can't believe no one has demanded that they extend it to Navan, Strabane, Derry and Letterkenny.

[Squire Allworthy]

Highlights yet again the importance of mother Russia in the future of Europe.