The word "Siberia" conjures up images of isolation, freezing temperatures, gulags, loneliness and despair!

In the late 1800's, the construction of the world's longest railway posed massive challenges for the Russian bureaucrats and engineers. No ready supply of labour was available so workers had to be recruited or conscripted from all over the empire. As one guide book said "as you travel the TSR you are in a special relationship with the men who built the railway for it was their hard labour that felled the trees, cut the sleepers and laid the rails along which you travel".

If you decide to undertake the journey take the time to read about the history and culture of the people who inhabit this vast land.

This photo was taken at dawn on our first morning on the train - the carriage was filled with orange light reflecting from the trees along the track.

The route is lined with markers indicating the distance from Moscow - with a good guide book you can keep track of exactly where you are. On the 2nd or 3rd day (can't remember which) we tried keep an eye out for marker 3932.33 which is 1/2 way between Moscow and Irkutsk ... of course we missed it.

One of the guide books listed some interesting facts about Siberia ..... Summers are so hot - 26C-38C - that bush fires are a serious problem; a temperature of -52C was recorded in 2001; all of Siberia lies in Asia. How's that for trivia.

The railway passes through large cities like Omsk and tiny villages barely more than a couple of houses clinging to the side of the railway embankment.

When you are travelling in a train it is difficult to get a photo of the locomotive - so every curve was a cause for celebration and a rush for the windows (which didn't open). I've included this photo although it is a bit furry to give you an idea of the landscape.

The golden trees are Larch Trees ... beautiful aren't they?