Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume III

86 ENGINEERING WONDERS OF THE WORLD. construction continued to be uniformly easy as compared with work on the same scale in other parts of the world. Beyond the Baikal, conditions became much more difficult. In the first nine years after the work was begun in May 1891 the rails were laid for a total the great Trans - Siberian express de luxe, affording the highest degree of comfort in travelling that can be found anywhere. Not only are sleeping and dining cars provided, but these contain bathrooms, a library, electric light, and every fitting which may ONE OF THE EXPRESS LOCOMOTIVES. {Photo, Locomotive Publishing Company.) distance of 3,375 miles, or at an average yearly rate of 375 miles. This was highly satisfactory, as very serious difficulties had been overcome, especially in Trans-Baikalia, where the work was stopped repeatedly by inundations, and the line washed away for long distances. With the threat of war with Japan driving them on, the Russians, it may be noted in passing, actually laid a part of the track of the Manchurian Railway at a •rate of three miles a day. Leaving the heavy work about Lake Baikal and eastward for future con- sideration, we will review the western and central sections of the line. The trains which leave Moscow vary greatly in their composition. There is, first, Siberian Trains. solace the bored tourist, all unusually com- modious, thanks to the 5-foot gauge. Then there are mixed trains of first, second, and third class coaches ; others, again, of the inferior classes only ; emigrant trains of fourth and even fifth class, little better than cattle- trucks ; and, finally, numerous freight trains. Following its policy of settling the country by colonization, the Government attracts by offers of free land vast numbers of agriculturists from the poverty-stricken villages of Europe, and conveys them almost free of cost to their distant destinations. Naturally the accom- modation en route is of the simplest quality, floor space and little else being provided. The fourth-class travellers enjoy the luxury of windows to their cars, the fifth class not even