Transmountain railroad

Transmountain railroads are railroads that need to cross dauntingly high mountain ranges to cross between countries on one side to the other. The Himalayan Mountains, Andes and the Alps would be cases in point. Because of construction difficulties, some such railways are yet to be built. With globalisation and trade liberalisation, the economic viability of constructing of these railways is improving.[1]

Myanmar to China

In 2009, a railway was proposed to link Lashio, Myanmar and Jiegao, China and which also crosses the Himalaya Mountains.[2]

There would be a break-of-gauge from 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) as used by Myanmar Railways to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) as used in China.

Pakistan to China

Main article: Khunjerab Railway

The proposed trans-Himalayan railway from Pakistan to China via the Khunjerab Pass could count as a transcontinental railroad due to the size of the mountains in the way.[3]

There would be a break-of-gauge from 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) as used by the Pakistan Railways to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in). This line would be approximately 1,100 kilometres (680 mi) long.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Connecting China and Europe". Railway Gazette International. 25 April 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  2. ↑ "Myanmar to build railroad linking China's border town". China Daily. 20 November 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  3. ↑ Fazl-e-Haider, Syed (24 February 2007). "China-Pakistan rail link on horizon". Asia Times. Retrieved 16 September 2011.


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