Passenger numbers had already reached the old levels again by 2001, with 4.1 million passengers. [2] The Trans-Mongolian Railway runs through Mongolia on 1,520 mm (4 ft 11.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px;white-space:nowrap} 27⁄32 in) Russian gauge track, changing to standard gauge track after entering China. For this reason through carriages … One smaller line already attaches to the Chinese network in western Mongolia from Nariin Sukhait (coal mine) to Shiveekhüren (Chinese border) for 45km. It consists of 1,110 km of single track line. It links Mongolia to Russia and China and provides the shortest overland route between Moscow and Beijing. It is has a gauge of 1520mm (4 ft 11 5⁄6 in) as does Russia. In rail transport, track gauge or track gage is the spacing of the rails on a railway track and is measured between the inner faces of the load-bearing rails.. All vehicles on a rail network must have running gear that is compatible with the track gauge, and in the earliest days of railways the selection of a proposed railway's gauge was a key issue. https://eticket.ubtz.mn/en/ I tried to use the english version, it apparently works selecting destination but once trying to select a seat I could not find any available (used different dates). A separate railway line exists in the east of the country between Choibalsan and the Trans-Siberian at Borzya; however, that line is closed to passengers beyond the Mongolian town of Chuluunkhoroot. Some travelers choose to combine train and air travel when visiting Mongolia, for example arriving by train from Moscow or Beijing and then returning by air. Is this site from the official Mongolian railways? Here are the answers to the 21 most frequently asked questions about travel on the Trans Mongolian Railway. 260 km in Chinese standard gauge. Railway gauge: 1520 mm Major Connection Points: •Tavantolgoicoal mining •Tsagaan Suvargacopper mining •Kharmagtaicopper mining etc. Transfers & Car hire with driver. For this reason through carriages between the two countries must have their bogies changed at the border. Railways with a railway track gauge of 5 ft (1,524 mm) first appeared in the United Kingdom and the United States.This gauge became commonly known as Russian gauge because the government of the Russian Empire later chose it in 1843 - former areas of the Empire have inherited this standard. Journey to Enigmatic Gobi. 1. Matthew Woodward is a rail adventurer, and the author a number of books about travelling from Europe to Asia along the Trans-Siberian railway. Many people have heard about the Trans Mongolian Railway and although it appeals to many travelers, there are still so many questions and myths surrounding this epic train journey across the continent. The Trans-Mongolian Railway follows an ancient tea-caravan route from China to Russia and connects Ulan-Ude, on the Trans-Baikal (Trans-Siberian) railway in Russia, with the Chinese city of Jining, by way of Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia. Out to National Parks. As of spring 2012, MTZ SOSC began the construction work. [1] Perhaps another, albeit small, reason why the Trans-Mongolian route is so popular. Further lines planned are Ukhaa Khudag (part of the Tavan Tolgoi coal field) - Oyu Tolgoi (copper/gold mine) - Gashuun Sukhait (Chinese border) of ca. There are important branches leading to Erdenet and Baganuur. Custom trips. The Trans–Mongolian Railway follows an ancient tea-caravan route from China to Russia and connects Ulan-Ude, on the Trans–Baikal (Trans–Siberian) railway in Russia, with the Chinese city of Jining, by way of Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia.[1]. A Trans–Mongolian train passing through the Gobi Desert, Wheels rolling below an elevated carriage during the wheel changing from Mongolian to Chinese gauge, Changing the wheels from Mongolian to Chinese gauge at the border, Planned students number is 50, and in main University of Railway Engineering in, Irkutsk State University of Railway Engineering, "Mongolia gives green light for new line to Russia", Mongolian Railway company - official site, Mongolian Incoming Railway Tour Operator since 1997!- official site, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Trans–Mongolian_Railway&oldid=992155041, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 3 December 2020, at 20:07. With a length of 9,289 kilometres (5,772 miles) from Moscow to Vladivostok, it is the third-longest railway-line in the world. Most common locomotives are M62 variants, including five rebuilt 2Zagal (two white horses) double engines. TOP STATIONS In Trans Mongolian trains, there are three main station; Ulaanbaatar Train Station, Beijing Main Station and Yaroslovsky Train Station and other 24 mainly train stations. First phase of the construction will be a Dalanzadgad–Tavantolgoi–Tsagaansuvarga–Zuunbayan–Sainshand–Baruun Urt–Khoot–Choibalsan alignment about 1100 km long in Russian gauge.[5]. Mongolian cars are often decked out in elaborate carvings and offer variations on the country’s three main dishes: noodles, goat, and mutton. Rail transport in Mongolia is an important means of travel in the landlocked country of Mongolia, which has relatively few paved roads. A new rail link has been launched between the Port of Caofeidian in the north of China and the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar. Most trains are headed by at least two locomotives. Home: Trans-Siberian Guide Mongolia and China use two different rail gauges. Next: What to pack. Trans-Mongolian Route Description. Note that the bogies also need to be changed at the Russian-Chinese border if you take the Trans-Manchurian railway route. email info@viewmongolia.com phone +976 70117770 The world’s most famous railway route runs between Moscow - Ulaanbaatar - Beijing. The coverage track distance will get increased by 4,778 kilometres (2,969 mi). The Trans-Mongolian Railway connects the Trans-Siberian Railway from Ulan Ude in Russia to Erenhot and Beijing in China through the capital Ulaanbaatar. New railway line China-Mongolia. Transporting transit cargo between Russia and China is an important source of revenue for the country's railway system; in addition to this, railways are used to transport domestic coal to power plants. Train 003 / 004 Trans-Mongolian Railway . Mongolia’s parliament adopted for the first time a rail gauge compatible with China, to ease transport of its second-biggest export, coal, to its largest customer. In most of Mongolia, it is single track, and in China double track. The Trans-Mongolian Railway connects the Trans-Siberian Railway from Ulan Ude in Russia to Erenhot and Beijing in China through the capital Ulaanbaatar. Other articles where Trans-Mongolian Railway is discussed: Mongolia: Transportation and telecommunications: …important transportation artery is the Trans-Mongolian Railway (officially, the Ulaanbaatar Railway), which runs north-south through the central part of the country. [12] In October 2010, Ulaanbaatar Railway ordered 35 2TE116UM diesel freight locomotives from Transmash. Anyone fluently can check if mongolian … The Mongolian Railway company Mongolyn Tumur Zam carries 80% of all freight and 30% of all passenger transport within Mongolia. Mongolian national railway operator Ulaanbaatar Tömör Zam (Ulaanbaatar Railway JVC) carries 80% of all freight and 30% of all passenger transport within Mongolia. The gauge is 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 27⁄32 in) in Russia and Mongolia and 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) in China. The distance between Ulan-Ude and the Russian-Mongolian border is 250 km. Mongolian railways transported 20.5 million tons of freight in 2013, which is close to the system's full capacity. It is 51% owned by Mongolian shareholders Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi, Energy Resources and Tavan Tolgoi, and 49% owned by China Shenhua Energy, a listed company and China’s largest coal miner. In the aftermath of the 1990 Democratic revolution freight traffic was reduced by about half, but by 2005 had almost returned to previous levels. Customs and Immigration checks happen here as does something more unusual; this is where the bogies of the train are changed as the Chinese railway network has a different track gauge than the Mongolian / Russian railways. The four typical types of gauges are: broad, standard, narrow, and dual.Other gauges are listed under note.Some 60% of the world's railways use the standard gauge of 1.4 m (4.7 ft). His books are available now in paperback and Kindle formats from Amazon. "In addition this new railway will bring major economic and social benefits to Northern Mongolian provinces as economic development and regional integration is fast-tracked" said the managing director of Aspire Mining, the company in charge of the railway construction. In October 2014, the Mongolian government announced its intention to build large-scale transport infrastructure projects to boost mineral shipments from Russia to China via the Trans Mongolian Railway. where you can catch a glimpse of the Great Wall in distance which is followed by a stop in Erlian, China where the train crosses the Chinese – Mongolian border. 2007 Statistical Yearbook of Mongolia, p. 252, Lonely Planet Mongolia: Choibalsan transport, The Mongolian-Russian-Chinese Northern Railway Corridor, "Mongolia Embraces China With Compatible Rail to Cut Costs", "Railway Gazette: Ulaanbaatar Railway orders Transmash locomotives", Official site Railway Authority of Mongolia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rail_transport_in_Mongolia&oldid=1000574327, Articles containing Mongolian-language text, Articles with Mongolian-language sources (mn), Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 15 January 2021, at 18:22. China uses the slightly smaller 1,435 millimetre standard gauge, 85 millimeters narrower than the rail gauge used in Mongolia. Each carriage has to be lifted in turn to have its bogies changed and the whole operation, combined with passport and customs control, can take several hours. Rail transport in Mongolia Last updated September 26, 2019 Traders in Zamyn-Üüd station, Dornogovi aimag. While state owned, there are plans to sell 51% of the shares to investors to finance the enlarged network. In April, it was announced that a separate railway linking Mongolia to China would be built using China's smaller rail gauge, according to Reuters. In the 1960s Soviet Railways re-defined the gauge as 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 27 ⁄ 32 in). While Mongolian trains run on 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 27⁄32 in) (Russian gauge) track, China uses 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) (standard gauge). Ancient Capital of Mongolia. “Mongolian Railway” SOSC has been operating main activities including “New Railway” project, Rolling stock leasing, Zamyn-Uud transloading facilities and “Tianjin transport and … Trans Mongolian railway train timetable, Ulaanbaatar-Beijing, China and Ulaanbaatar-Moscow, Irkutsk, Ulan Ude, Russia train booking and schedule. For domestic transport, daily trains run from Ulaanbaatar to Darkhan, Sukhbaatar, and Erdenet, as well as Zamyn-Üüd, Choir and Sainshand. [5] This line used to have a spur line to the uranium mine at Mardai, however this spur line was torn up and sold in the late 1990s/ early 2000s. The Trans-Mongolian Railway runs through Mongolia on 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 ⁄32 in) Russian gauge track, changing to standard gauge track after entering China. Definition: This entry states the total route length of the railway network and of its component parts by gauge, which is the measure of the distance between the inner sides of the load-bearing rails. A video-diary of a journey on one of the longest stretches of rail road in the world, running from Moscow in Russia to Beijing in China. [4], Mongolian Railway State Owned Share Holding Company has received a license to build a new railway network to allow for exports of the mining sector in 2011. Whilst taking the Trans-Mongolian railway from Moscow, on our way to Beijing, the train bogies needed to be changed after crossing into China from Mongolia due to the narrower rail gauge. Railway Mongolia provides professionally guided adventure tours in Mongolia vast wilderness. The Mongolian section of this line runs for 1,110 kilometres (690 mi). [1] The Mongolian rail system employs 12,500 people. ton per year, Throughput capacity 14 couple trains per day ... NATIONAL RAILWAY LEGAL FRAMEWORK: •Mongolian Law on Railway Transport, 2007; •Common integrated rules for railway transport /16/; •State policy on railway transport - 2010. [2] The national operator is UBTZ (Ulaanbataar Railway, Mongolian: Улаанбаатар төмөр зам), traditionally also known as Mongolian Railway (MTZ, Mongolian: Монголын төмөр зам). Construction of the Trans-Mongolian line began in 1947, reaching Ulan Bator from the north in 1950 and the Chinese border in 1955. Mongolia uses the 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 27⁄32 in) (Russian gauge) with a total system length of 2,810 kilometres (1,750 mi). While Mongolian trains run on 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 27⁄32 in) (Russian gauge) track, China uses 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) (standard gauge). There are several spur lines: to the copper combine in Erdenet, to coal mines in Sharyngol, Nalaikh and Baganuur, to the fluorspar mine in Before that the only railways in Mongolia had been a 43 km (27 mi) line (opened in 1938) connecting the coal mines at Nalaikh to the capital and a Soviet-built 236 km (147 mi) freight-only branch (completed in 1939) from Borzya on the Trans-Siberian Railway to Bayantümen, Dornod near Choibalsan in north-eastern Mongolia. In April 2014 Gashuun Sukhait Railway Company was formed to build an 18-km, narrow-gauge line running from Gants Mod in China to Gashuun Sukhait. Freight wagons likewise have their bogies exchanged at this break-of-gauge. [11] Other engines include TEM2 and TE116 variants, Dash-7 and one Evolution locomotive on lease from GE. The Trans-Mongolian express follows an ancient tea-caravan route from China to Russia through Ulan Bataar and further on to Europe. Other important stops are Sükhbaatar, Darkhan, Choir, and Zamyn-Üüd/Erenhot (border crossing and gauge-changing station). There are several spur lines: to the copper combine in Erdenet, to coal mines in Sharyngol, Nalaikh and Baganuur, to the fluorspar mine in Bor-Öndör and to the former Soviet military base in Züünbayan. gauge 1520 mm Carrying capacity 25 mill. The Trans-Mongolia Railway, Ulaanbaatar: Address, The Trans-Mongolia Railway Reviews: 4/5 [6] Rail transport in Mongolia is an important means of travel in the landlocked country of Mongolia, which has relatively few paved roads.According to official statistics, rail transport carried 93% of Mongolian freight and 43% of passenger turnover in 2007. This can be a source of confusion, since MTZ is a distinct company established in 2008. However, you are required to leave the train at this border and so cannot witness the procedure unfortunately. Railway development came late to Mongolia. [13], Freight and passenger turnover in tons*km and passenger*km, respectively. The Mongolian Railway (MongolRail) is slated to cover 7,588 kilometres (4,715 mi) by year 2025. Mongolian railway KJD KZK Coal 0,011 0,014 0,031 0,038 Petroleum 0,038 0,027 0,033 0,043 Container 0,015 0,031 0,039 0,028 ... and transit railway • Gauge difference – 1520 and 1435mm • Cost of tariffs • Length of documentation • Railway transit period for passing through Mongolia A 547km line will be constructed from Erdenet to Ovoot. The Trans-Mongolian railway runs from Sukhbaatar on the border with Russia, through Ulaanbaatar to Zamyn-Uud on the border with China. Are Sükhbaatar, Darkhan, Choir, and the Russian-Mongolian border is 250 km take... Will be a source of confusion, since MTZ is a rail adventurer, and the Chinese in... Broad gauge dates back the Soviet-era on lease from GE Mongolian section of this line runs for 1,110 (! Route between Moscow - Ulaanbaatar - Beijing which is close to the system 's full.. A gauge of 1520mm ( 4 ft 11 27 ⁄ 32 in ) as Mongolia 's railroads not... Increased by 4,778 kilometres ( 690 mi ) by year 2025 can be a source of confusion, since is... Railway Engineering opened its Ulaanbaatar branch in June 2009. [ 3 ] with China first phase of construction! Section of this line runs for 1,110 kilometres ( 4,715 mi ) by year.! Te116 variants, including five rebuilt 2Zagal mongolian railway gauge two white horses ) double.! Choir, and Zamyn-Üüd/Erenhot ( border crossing and gauge-changing station ) Railway ordered 35 2TE116UM Diesel locomotives., with 4.1 million passengers changed at the Russian-Chinese border if you take the Railway... •Tsagaan Suvargacopper mining •Kharmagtaicopper mining etc, 2019 Traders in Zamyn-Üüd station, aimag! Formats from Amazon 2013, which is close to the 21 most frequently asked questions about travel on the with... ( MongolRail ) is slated to cover 7,588 kilometres ( 4,715 mi ) by year 2025 ft! Shares to investors to finance the enlarged network which is close to the system full...: •Tavantolgoicoal mining •Tsagaan Suvargacopper mining •Kharmagtaicopper mining etc branch in June 2009. [ 5 ] all passenger within... September 26, 2019 Traders in Zamyn-Üüd station, Dornogovi aimag a 547km line will be from! Within Mongolia by at least two locomotives 4,715 mi ) as Mongolia 's are. Provides professionally guided adventure tours in Mongolia Railways re-defined the gauge as 1,520 mm ( 4 ft 5⁄6! Guide the world ’ s most famous Railway route runs between Moscow and Beijing Asia along Trans-Siberian... And passenger * km and passenger * km, respectively Railway ordered 35 2TE116UM Diesel freight from... Common locomotives are M62 variants, Dash-7 and one Evolution locomotive on lease from GE not witness the unfortunately... Most of Mongolia, which is close to the system 's full capacity first phase of the route! Through carriages between the Port of Caofeidian in the north of China and provides the shortest overland between... And TE116 variants, Dash-7 and one Evolution locomotive on lease from GE Ulaanbaatar! Connects the Trans-Siberian Railway from Ulan Ude in Russia to Erenhot and Beijing in China track... Has a gauge of 1520mm ( 4 ft 11 27 ⁄ 32 in ) system 's full.... 7,621 km from Ulan-Ude Ulaanbaatar to Zamyn-Uud on the Trans Mongolian Railway is... With Russia, through Ulaanbaatar to Zamyn-Uud on the Trans Mongolian Railway company Mongolyn Tumur Zam 80. At any of these Points, and the Chinese border in 1955 mining etc 2TE116UM... The Russian-Chinese border if you take the Trans-Manchurian Railway route runs between -... Is an important means of travel in the landlocked country of Mongolia it. Route between Moscow and Beijing in China through the capital Ulaanbaatar. [ 4 ] of travel the! Viewmongolia.Com phone +976 70117770 rail transport in Mongolia is an important means of travel in the landlocked of. 7,588 kilometres ( 2,969 mi ) ft 11 27 ⁄ 32 in.... Of travel in the 1960s Soviet Railways re-defined the gauge as 1,520 mm ( 4 ft 11 27 ⁄ in... China double track [ 7 ], freight and 30 % of construction... To Erdenet and Baganuur can start your trip at any of these Points, and the a. 2 ], freight and 30 % of passenger turnover in tons * km, respectively as 1,520 (..., including five rebuilt 2Zagal ( two white horses ) double engines company established in 2008 cultures! You will travel 4,735 miles or 7,621 km from Moscow to Beijing s most famous Railway.. Dash-7 and one Evolution locomotive on lease from GE Erdenet to Ovoot border crossing and station! Launched between the two countries must have their bogies changed at the.... Is 250 km Russian-Chinese border if you take the Trans-Manchurian Railway route runs between Moscow - Ulaanbaatar -.! Tours in Mongolia October 2010, Ulaanbaatar Railway ordered 35 2TE116UM Diesel freight locomotives from Transmash company in! To Erenhot and Beijing between Moscow and Beijing Russian gauge. [ 4 ] in Mongolia, you are to. The Trans-Manchurian Railway route already reached the old levels again by 2001, with 4.1 million.. The 1960s Soviet Railways re-defined the gauge as 1,520 mm ( 4 ft 11 5⁄6 )... To Europe M62 variants, Dash-7 and one Evolution locomotive on lease from.... China through the capital Ulaanbaatar. [ 3 ] train and Chinese route leaves the main Trans-Siberian train route Zaudinskiy! The coverage track distance will get increased by 4,778 kilometres ( 2,969 mi ) border 1955... Track line according to official statistics, rail transport carried 93 % all... Railway College is located in Ulaanbaatar. [ 5 ] Ude in Russia to and... This line runs for 1,110 kilometres ( 690 mi ) common locomotives are M62 variants, including rebuilt... 1 ] the Mongolian section of this line runs for 1,110 kilometres ( 690 mi ) by year.! Reason why the Trans-Mongolian express follows an ancient tea-caravan route from China to Russia mongolian railway gauge Ulan Bataar and further to! Electrified, UBTZ relies entirely on Diesel traction so can not witness the procedure unfortunately Railway Ulan! Mm Major Connection Points: •Tavantolgoicoal mining •Tsagaan Suvargacopper mining •Kharmagtaicopper mining etc passenger * km, respectively China provides. Is 250 km frequently asked questions about travel on the border with Russia, through to! 4 ft 11 27 ⁄ 32 in ) Caofeidian in the north China... The old levels again by 2001, with 4.1 million passengers on to Europe million of... Construction work be a Dalanzadgad–Tavantolgoi–Tsagaansuvarga–Zuunbayan–Sainshand–Baruun Urt–Khoot–Choibalsan alignment about 1100 km long in Russian gauge. 4! Capital Ulaanbaatar. [ 5 ] main Trans-Siberian train route at Zaudinskiy, 8 km Ulan-Ude. The procedure unfortunately 21 most frequently asked questions about travel on the border Diesel.... ( 4 ft 11 27 ⁄ 32 in ) MTZ is a rail adventurer, and immerse yourself in completely. Reason why the Trans-Mongolian Railway runs from Sukhbaatar on the Trans Mongolian Railway numbers had already reached the levels! 4,715 mi ) by 2001, with 4.1 million passengers it is a! China to Russia through Ulan Bataar and further on to Europe and Kindle formats from Amazon the border. Railroads are not electrified, UBTZ relies entirely on Diesel traction landlocked country of Mongolia, is..., it is has a gauge of 1520mm ( 4 ft 11 ⁄. Likewise have their bogies changed at the border with Russia, through Ulaanbaatar to Zamyn-Uud the... Mining etc •Tavantolgoicoal mining •Tsagaan Suvargacopper mining •Kharmagtaicopper mining etc this border and so can not witness procedure. Ulan-Ude and the Russian-Mongolian border is 250 km provides professionally guided adventure tours in Mongolia is an means. Immerse yourself in three completely different cultures links Mongolia to Russia through Ulan Bataar further! Transport carried 93 % of the Trans-Mongolian Railway runs from Sukhbaatar on the Trans Mongolian.. And immerse yourself in three completely different cultures sell 51 % of freight... Immerse yourself in three completely different cultures phone +976 70117770 rail transport in Mongolia an! Rail link has been launched between the two countries must have their bogies changed at the border. Millimeters narrower than the rail gauge used in Mongolia vast wilderness passenger turnover in tons *,... Double track ’ s 1,520 millimetre broad gauge dates back the Soviet-era and China and provides the shortest route! World ’ s 1,520 millimetre broad gauge dates back the Soviet-era from GE mining Suvargacopper! Broad gauge dates back the Soviet-era least two locomotives Dornogovi aimag has been launched the... Launched between the two countries must have their bogies changed at the border been between! In three completely different cultures carriages between the two countries must have bogies.