[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by JMvS

In this regard, the Southern route will certainly provide the most technical challenges, due to all the mountains and tropical climate. Political barriers are less of a concerns, as Burma and Vietnam seems quite eager for it and ready to adapt their gauge.

On the other hand, the Northern route will face mostly political challenges, as the Russians have to balance their desire to upgrade infrastructure and develop the Far East with the concern of Chinese migrations in their territory and the need to change their gauge. Notice that such an overhaul of the Russian railways network would also open it to Western Europe, with consecutive benefits (as well as concerns).


Regarding the costs of building the network, as long as there is a need for connection and a political will to address it, I have little concerns, as high speed railways have already been demonstrated as the optimal solution: cheaper than high ways or even large roads, speed second only to airplane, capacity second to high sea freighting.
More so, most if not all the technologies not only exist but are already applied widely.

I wouldn't want this to pass through Singapore! It is not like we have enough land left to reclaim for the tracks.