“The framework will allow the project to move toward the goal of ferrying people and goods more easily from Asia to Europe to the Caucasus and back, said Nigel C. Rayner, an official at the Asian Development Bank. Necessary planning includes how to handle paperwork for border crossings and the technicalities of desired speeds and loads of trains.” NY Times
There are, however, some obstacles. For example differtent gauges.
The PRC, both Koreas, Iran, Turkey and Western Europe less Finnland, Spain and Portugal run on standard gauge (1435 millimeters). The countires of the former Soviet Union on broad gauge (1524 millimeters) , most mainlines of India and Pakistan on another broad gauge (1676 millimeters). Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia on narrow-gauge (1000 millimeters).
In Turkey, there is a gap along the Van lake in Anatolia (carferries exist, however). I have never heard of plans to close this gap because the terrain is very difficult (mountainous). And I don’t know whether a railroad across the Bosporus in Istambul already exists.
South Korea however hopes to close the gap between its system and the North Korean railways, because this would open a connection over the Transsiberian Railway to Western Europe. This would be an alternative to ships. Ships rates have increased sharply in recent years.
Whatever happened to the Siberia to Alaska rail link?
Economic reality?[swg]