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Southeast Asia
China completes railway to Tibet
2005-10-16
China has announced the completion of the first railway line to Tibet - one of the world's highest train routes. The pan-Himalayan line climbs 5,072m (16,640ft) above sea level and runs across Tibet's snow-covered plateau - dubbed the roof of the world. Trains travelling on the line will have to have carriages that are sealed like aircraft to protect passengers from altitude sickness. The line is expected to take its first passengers next year.

The official Xinhua news agency said $3bn had been spent on the challenging 1,142km (710-mile) final section, after four years in construction. The workers who built the line had to breathe bottled oxygen in order to cope with the high altitudes.
I seriously doubt that the overlords cared much about the workers one way or the other. It's a people's paradise, remember.
China says the line will promote the development of impoverished Tibet.
Makes it easier to move troops and military supplies, too.
The line links the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, with the north-western province of Qinghai. But even before the railway line opens there are concerns about its future. The National Climate Centre said in June that rising temperatures would affect operation of the railway by 2050.
Posted by:lotp

#2  meant for troops and arms - hardships come with the job. Wonder how it does in avalanches?
Posted by: Frank G   2005-10-16 14:37  

#1  (Sigh) Being a Machinery Oriented person the very concept of sealed railway cars pressurized like aircraft cabins, coupled with the hostile terrain, "Government" maintenance, and the severe weather almost guarantees a thousands dead disaster.

Plus just how do they intend to deal with common breakdowns, It would require workers to inhabit "Space Suits" during even the most common repairs.

Picture a coupler fracture due to metal crystalization at extreme temperatures, not reparable on site, and with the train still undamaged and upright but unable to procede.

What do you do? leave the passengers and go for help? how long will the heat and fuel hold out untill rescue, does each car carry a generator, air compressor, heater? or are those supplied from the engine(s)?

Deadly setup.
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2005-10-16 14:03  

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