The trans kegistan railway has been talked about for a long time. Plans were first drawn up as early as 19 97, but they kept on running into the same kind of road blocks or disagreements between china and kegestan over the route and the cost. But now it's getting a new push, partly because it seems to make more commercial sense,. given the expansion of railway trade between ch China and europe. And partly because of this desire to become less dependent on russia. There are some major challenges ahead, particularly on the financing front.