Trains are reclaiming popularity for epic long-distance journeys, with iconic scenic routes like Canada's national railway and the U.S. Transcontinental drawing record crowds. Russia is now stepping up, drawing inspiration from these North American successes. President Vladimir Putin is reportedly in talks with Japan on a monumental project: extending the Trans-Siberian Railway to connect London and Tokyo across more than 13,500 kilometers. Key to this vision is a 45-kilometer bridge spanning the Sea of Japan, as detailed by The Independent.
Starting from London, the line would traverse Germany and Poland, delve into Eastern Europe, and weave through Russia's heartland. It would then navigate the Siberian mountains before reaching Wakkanai, Japan. This infrastructure could supercharge Russia's economy by linking Tokyo to Sakhalin—Russia's largest island in the northwest Pacific and formerly under Japanese control—boosting oil and gas output, according to politician Sergei Ivanov. For now, adventure seekers can ride the existing Trans-Siberian from Beijing to Moscow via Mongolia in about 15 days. Expanding global rail access like this? Count us in.
