Our Top 10 Railways from Around the World

Railways have shaped how societies connect, how economies operate, and how landscapes are traversed. From towering alpine tunnels to high-speed corridors, we spotlight ten rail systems that push the limits of civil and transportation engineering and serve as inspiration for infrastructure professionals everywhere.

1. Trans-Siberian Railway

Stretching over 9,000km, this is the longest railway line in the world. The main track spans eight time zones and takes seven days to travel. Construction began in 1891, and the line was completed in 1904.

2. Tōkaidō Shinkansen Line

This Japanese high-speed rail line is part of the nationwide Shinkansen network and is over 500km long. Opening in 1964, it was the world’s first high-speed rail line and remains one of the busiest in the world.

3. Gotthard Base Tunnel

Opened in 2016, this is the longest and deepest railway tunnel in the world. The tunnel is under the Saint-Gotthard Massif in the Lepontine Apls and has a maximum depth of 2,300 metres.

4. Chenab Rail Bridge

Opening for rail traffic in June 2025, this rail bridge is 359 metres above the riverbed, making it the highest railway arch bridge in the world. The bridge is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project, connecting the Kashmir region with the rest of India.

5. Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Climbing to an elevation of 5,702 metres above sea level, this is the highest railway line in the world. This line claims multiple other records: the highest railway station in the world at 5,068 metres above sea level (Tanggula railway station), the highest rail tunnel in the world at 4,905 metres above sea level (Fenghuoshan tunnel), and Tibet’s first railway line.

6. Trans-Australian Railway

This railway contains the longest straight section of railway in the world, running for 478 kilometres across the Nullarbor Plain. The record-breaking straight is from Mile 496 in WA, to Mile 793 in SA.

7. Stoosbahn Funicular

Located in Switzerland, this is the steepest funicular railway in the world, with an incline of 47.7 degrees (110% gradient). The railway covers a length of 1.7km and a height difference of 744 metres.

8. Pilatus Railway

This is the steepest rack railway in the world, with a maximum gradient of 48%, at an elevation of 2,073m and is located in Switzerland.

9. Katoomba Scenic Railway

With a gradient of 128% and a 52-degree angle slope, this Blue Mountains marvel lands the title of the steepest railway gradient in the world. Originally built for mining in 1878, it was converted into a tourist attraction in 1945.

10. Pete Waterman’s Model Railway

Holding the record for the world’s largest portable model railway, Pete’s model recreates the West Coast Main Line in England. The model is 208-feet long and features incredible details like to-scale patio furniture, wheelie-bins and digital advertising boards.

11. Honourable Mention

Constructionarium Australia’s latest build had participants working together to build a scaled replica of a train station and section of rail track. Constructionarium gives young engineers hands-on experience in the full cycle of projects. Their work is vital in bridging the gap between classroom theory and on-site practice.

Why We Love Railways

Whether you’re an engineer designing tunnels, a project manager organising supply chains, or a planner mapping network expansion, these railways show what’s possible when ambition meets infrastructure. Let them challenge your next project: how can you push boundaries, serve underserved regions, and deliver lasting value?