Keywords: Caspian Sea, decarbonisation, diesel engine, emissions, fuel cells, Kazakhstan.

The East West rail route from China to Western Europe provides an intermediate level of energy cost, fiscal cost, and time of transit for goods between these continents with the relevant performance parameters sitting between those of shipping and air freight. Transit times have been reduced sufficiently to permit certain time sensitive goods to be carried. These metrics are developed further to give initial guidance on decarbonisation and reduction in other combustion emissions. An outline comparison between ships and trains for the extremities is presented for emissions and energy used. There are rail gauge changes on the route which can present difficulties, but automatic wheel set adjustments exist. This process is satisfactory at low speeds, but a question mark exists for high speed use. Time lost at border crossings can be exacerbated if there is conflict between the nation states near the route. An alternative to the traditional route through Russia using a route through Kazakhstan and crossing the Caspian Sea is presented including many metrics. As distances are great, parameters included are relative fuel tank sizing for several fuels, outline of track capital costs and some comparisons with shipping.

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