The Baikal-Amur Mainline railway, also known as the "hero project", passes seven mountain ranges and crosses 11 alpine rivers on its route from the Pacific Coast to Siberia.

Originally built for freight, it now celebrates its 40 year anniversary as people hope the railroad would help revitalise some of the most isolated parts of the country.

Al Jazeera's Rory Challands reports from Tynda in Russia's far east.