Lake Baikal - Siberia

(L - One of our first views of the Lake - as we run around the edge)

(R - The railway line hugs the lake edge and also the seaside cliffs)

On the Wednesday evening we made the run from Ulan Ude to Lake Baikal and

stopped at Slyudyanka Station until 7.10am. Lake Baikal is actually a branch line of the Trans Siberian. This was also the last part of the whole line that was constructed, due to difficulties and cost. The original route ran to the east side of the Lake and then passengers transferred to ships to cross the lake and joined the train on the west coast

side.

(L - More high cliffs beside the line)

(R - Our train stops for us to climb up on the engine)

The lake freezes over in winter and there were originally 2 ice breakers purchased from England to help with crossings in winter. One of these vessels had railway lines, and the carriages could run straight into the vessel. In the dead of winter crossings were made on the solid ice crust, with the carriages dragged over the ice.

(L - Faye climbs aboard the engine)

(R - The views from the engine as we travel around the branch line.

The branch line was constructed but is now by-passed entirely with the line simply being a branch line mainly used by tourist travelers. The line is very windy, twisting around the lake shore, which limits speeds to just above walking speed. Tourist numbers are fairly large though and there are about 3 trains a day.

(L - Some brave - others said foolhardy!- souls braved the waters for a swim - but only for a few minutes!!

(R - Whilst the train staff set up a table to serve vodka or champagne to the swimmers - I took the champagne but passed up on the swim)

The views are spectacular, and due to our reduced speed the train manager arranged for passengers to be able to travel on the cat walk around the engine as we proceeded along the journey.

(L - Our spot for the Lake swim)

(R - Lake Baikal has some fish found nowhere else - and the locals take the opportunity to catch and smoke)

Lake Baikal also has a breed of seal, which look just like balloons blown up. They have 2 at the local Museum.

(L - Our train at the Lake swim spot - we have become accustomed to simply walking across train tracks - but draw the line at climbing under the blocking train - as we have seen some locals do!!)

(R - We arrive at the station of Port Baikal - a throwback to the old days when the train collected the passengers who had just crossed the lake by steamer to rejoin the Trans Siberian railway - and we walk across the tracks!!)

(L - We walked down to the boat)

(R - On our boat cruise)

We had a boat cruise on the Lake followed by a visit to the Museum of Wooden Architecture which features many of the skills of the early builders who didn’t even use nails!!

(L - The other side of the lake boasts a number of resort hotels and a "beach" - of sorts)

(R - The Museum has a model of the British built ice breaker that carried the early Trans Siberian trains across the near frozen lake)

The area also hosts a Museum of Wood, which features many old buildings – all constructed with wood, and often no metal nails to hold them all together.

(L - Faye at the museum - beside a stuffed Sturgeon fish - the source of caviar, which Faye is quite fond of!)

(R - The rotund Lake Baikal seal)

(L - At the local wood Museum, I wasn't quite sure just what you COULD do?!)

(R - An early fort reconstructed at the Museum)

(L - More of the wooden buildings in the Museum)

(R - Our barbeque at Lake Baikal - with Faye tucking into another course, and of course an Australian wine)

Our day finished with a barbeque by a stream feeding into Lake Baikal. Fortunately the weather held for us – the previous trip had their barbeque washed out by rain and they partook of the food back on board the train.

(L - As we rejoined our train and made the trip back to the main line, the sun set over Lake Baikal)