Temperatures as low as 45 degrees below zero, mudslides and earthquakes are just some of the things nature holds in store for the 100,000 Soviet builders at work on a second trans-Siberian railroad. Designed to run 2,000 miles through the rugged wilderness, which includes seven mountain ranges, the line will be used to help tap the mineral wealth of the region. Called the Baikal-Amur Magistral, it will cut across Siberia's far eat in search of coal, copper and zinc, the amount of which has never been fully estimated. The government has said it should be completed by 1985. High pay and the call of adventure have attracted men and women from all of the USSR. The Soviets say the average age of those working on the railroad project is 27. Many of them are expected to stay and settle the lightly populated area. Russia
Photo measures 10 x 8 inches. Photo is dated 10-23-1978.
.
Photo back:
