The historical value of the TSR is unquestioned. These days, there are three different railroad routes, with a variety of trains running on them, including passenger cars with sleeper berths, carrying tourists interested in a leisurely trip through the region. A tour train normally takes seven days to complete a run. Where there is tourism, money is generated for the country through which the train passes. The historical nature of the TSR ensures that it will be a reliable source of income long into the future.
Especially during the world wars and the Russian Civil War, the railroad was the most reliable way to transport troops and equipment between the eastern and western fronts, because of the vicious terrain and inclement weather in that part of the world. With the unabated increase in incidents of Somalian piracy, many companies are choosing to use the rails to transport goods from eastern Europe, rather than risk the loss of crew and goods by traveling around the horn of Africa.
While boat and airline shipments have increased exponentially since the completion of the railroad, it has remained a reliable mode of cargo transportation and seems to be gaining interest again. China, Russia, Germany, Belarus, Poland and Mongolia are collaborating on a new cargo train, connecting Beijing and Hamburg. The result has been shipping times that are one-third to one-half times faster than by sea, and a recent 20 percent reduction in transportation rates also helps.
Tourism is not the only form of passenger travel on board the TSR. Ever since the beginning, citizens have used the rails to visit far-flung family and friends, as it is normally cheaper and quicker than using other modes of transportation. With so many different passenger train companies using the railroad, it is not difficult to book travel over the vast expanses of frozen tundra.
