Description

This unique series of three programmes documents an extraordinary rail journey of over 20,000 kilometres right across Russia from Saint Petersburg on the Baltic Sea in the West, to Vladivostok on the Pacific Ocean in the Russian far East.

During the course of this marathon steam expedition we feature both the main Trans-Siberian routes giving a fascinating insight into the railways and everyday life of Russia today.

The lengthy journey compares the original Trans Siberian route from Saint Petersburg to Vladivostok with the little known or explored northern Trans-Siberian main line, the 3400 km Baikal-Amur-Magistral route usually known by its initials BAM. Also while we’re in the east – we take time out to sample steam haulage on Russia’s Pacific island of Sakhalin.

Across Russia by Steam Volume 1

A close look at the initial part of the mammoth journey of almost 4,500 kilometres, from St. Petersburg in the west, over the Ural Mountains before continuing eastwards almost half way across Siberia, to the remote town of Tayshet where the new BAM route branches off north eastwards.