The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway line in the world, running from the capital city of Russia, Moscow, through large areas of Siberia all the way to the Pacific city of Vladivostok, spanning 9,288 kilometers, across 8 time zones, equal to 1/4 of the Earth’s perimeter.  It takes a week at a minimum to travel that distance by train, and has become many people's dream journey across the Eurasian continent.

The construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway began in 1891 and was completed in 1916, connecting the European Russia, Siberia and the Russian Far East.  At that time, automobiles and airplanes were not widely used, and trains played the most important role in land transportation.  Undoubtedly, the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway was a milestone.  It was called the Spine of Russia, linking European and Asian civilizations, and having a monumental effect on the economic and cultural exchanges between Russia, Europe and Asia.

The construction of the railroad was extremely difficult. In Siberia, winter temperature fell to a breathtaking 50 degrees below zero Celsius, while in midsummer, temperature often topped a sweltering 40 degrees Celsius.  The huge difference in temperatures often caused steel to become brittle and crack, thus damaging the equipment.  It was in such a harsh arctic environment where workers used simple tools to break through frozen plains, eventually reaching the Russian Far East.  It is estimated that thousands died during the construction of the railroad.

Despite the devastating death toll, the Trans-Siberian Railway ended up being a life saver for the country.  During World War II, when Germany invaded the Soviet Union, a lot of factories were moved out of the European Russia by the railroad into Siberia.  A factory could be uprooted, moved, reassembled and resume production in as little as six weeks.  The Trans-Siberian Railway not only helped the Russian people survive World War II, it continues to be one of the country's greatest assets to this day.

Traveling by the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to the last stop in Vladivostok, through forests, grasslands, deserts and unpopulated zones, one gets to see different cultures and the beautiful sceneries of Russia.

Source:
http://travel.huanqiu.com/newphoto/mlfg/2010-04/796905.html
http://q.sohu.com/topic/5435223
http://baike.baidu.com/view/124146.htm?fr=ala0_1