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Very interesting. It strikes me as having "Hero" undertones reminiscent of the old propaganda films that showcased common purpose for the advancement of the nation. IMO it has an artistic flow of action much better than the current BNSF chop-video TV commercial.
A very compelling commercial....thanks for posting it!
Wow. Hercules, Paul Bunyon and Posiden all rolled up into one!
It is a stunning animation.
Rusty
Russian Railways has $65 billion to spend on a tunnel route under the Bering Strait to Alaska.
Originally Posted by techie:
Russian Railways has $65 billion to spend on a tunnel route under the Bering Strait to Alaska.
Interesting ... but I'm not going to hold my breath on that one.
Russia Plans World's Longest Tunnel, a Link to Alaska (Update4)
Kremlin paves way for East to West rail link after 'approving' $99bn Bering Strait tunnel
Bering Strait Tunnel to Connect U.S. and Russia?
Russia Reportedly Planning to Build Tunnel Under Bering Strait
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The Bering Strait is 53 miles across, the Chunnel connecting England and France is 31 miles long; that being said conditions in the frozen north would make construction really tough but it could be done.
I wonder what gauge would be used; Russian 5-foot or standard gauge? Perhaps they would swap out bogies, as they do going into China.
Originally Posted by jay jay:
I wonder what gauge would be used; Russian 5-foot or standard gauge? Perhaps they would swap out bogies, as they do going into China.
If the thousands of miles of connecting tracks ever get built, I imagine variable gauge wheelsets would be used. Special trains can drive right through, as is already done on certain international routes.
The prospect of a rail journey from London to New York would be ... interesting.
Sign me up for that NY to Moscow sleeper ride! This will make building the Canadian Pacific look like a minor annoyance, but it's gonna happen eventually. The tough part will NOT be the tunnel, but the connections on either end, especially all the new work required in Alaska. Once in the PECTOPAH car, I can get me some polevka, spikova, and a bowl of borcht ! cpoceba !
Originally Posted by jaygee:
Sign me up for that NY to Moscow sleeper ride! This will make building the Canadian Pacific look like a minor annoyance, but it's gonna happen eventually. The tough part will NOT be the tunnel, but the connections on either end, especially all the new work required in Alaska. Once in the PECTOPAH car, I can get me some polevka, spikova, and a bowl of borcht ! cpoceba !
AIUI, the "Russian side" is nearly complete. However, about 1000 miles of track would be required to connect the Tunnel to the North American rail network.
Originally Posted by Kent Loudon:
I'll be 85 Kent, we can get a Seniors discount. Us forumites should start planning a ride on the inaugural trip, we could call it GeezerRail! Maybe the 765 could head up the consist with Rich at the helm!
Jerry
Rich and the 765 in Novocivrsk??? Not holding my breath on THAT one, unless they go live steam in the tunnel! The only steam I suspect that will get the nod from Comrade Putin will be ...Russian Decapods! Hello, IRM???
Where will they put the change of gauge station? Can we have a standard gauge connection to China? Then we only need variable gauge trains to continue across Russia.
I suppose this really could happen in 20 or 30 years. да! Maybe we should work on our rail connection to Alaska. 
And while we're at it, see if you can find a copy of Harry Harrison's novel, Tunnel Through the Deeps (also published as A Transatlantic Tunnel, Hurrah!)
Originally Posted by Ace:
Where will they put the change of gauge station? Can we have a standard gauge connection to China? Then we only need variable gauge trains to continue across Russia.
I suppose this really could happen in 20 or 30 years. да! Maybe we should work on our rail connection to Alaska.
In case Sarah Pallin can then claim " I can ride on a train to Russia from my home !!!"
May happen once, but seem not a priority at this point of the game..
Remember a bit on the proposed Gibraltar bridge/tunnel between Africa and Europe..been on the table since the 1930's and still nothing has happen..
This is probably not wise from a strategic point of view. You could have trainloads of Russian military disembarking in Anchorage, disguised as camera-toting tourists. They've always regretted selling Alaska to Secretary Seward, you know.... 
Then, there was this:
"Transatlantic Tunnel" (1935)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027131/
Saw it on TV once. That was quite enough. I guess decent special effects for its time.
Rusty
This won't be a tunnel of the traditional type, but more on the order of BART, with dropped in segments. Not really worried about Uncle Joe trying to invade the USA; we're worse off than they are in way too many ways!
He** no!!! I don't want any Rooskies getting off the train in Alaska!!! 
