The Caucasian Mountain Railway: a Route to Uniting People

Purpose: To analyse the impact of environmental and climatic factors on the construction and operation of the railway. The objective of the project was to facilitate the development of new territories and to establish connections between settlements and industrial centres. The Russian Federation, formerly the USSR, is characterized by a diverse array of geographic and climatic regions, which posed challenges to the construction project. This article will examine how the landscape and terrain conditions prevented the creation of an engineering structure capable of uniting regions and peoples, using the example of the Caucasian Mountain Railway. Methods: The research used a historical and analytical method to study archival materials and documentation on the railway construction, cartographic analysis to assess the relief and natural conditions of the region, a comparative method to compare different construction sites, and a systematic approach to analyzing the interaction of natural factors and engineering solutions. Results: The analysis has demonstrated that the primary impediments encountered during the construction phase were attributed to the challenging topography, characterized by mountainous terrain with significant variations in altitude and precipitous slopes. Climatic factors, including heavy precipitation, avalanches and landslides, as well as geological conditions, such as unstable soils and rocky terrain, have also been identified as contributing factors. Natural barriers, such as mountain rivers, gorges and glaciers, have been noted as a hindrance to progress. In addition, the analysis has highlighted the absence of adequate technical equipment and the inadequacy of the mechanisms employed during that period. Furthermore, historical events that affected the region have been identified as a contributing factor, as has the absence of a unified approach to problem solving. Practical significance: This study demonstrates how geographic conditions can significantly affect the implementation of large infrastructure projects and highlights the need for a thorough study of the area before commencing construction