[GK3]

Are the Russians in that area, those whom Putin classifies as real Russians or those second class Russians whom he is happy to send to the meat grinder in the Ukraine? Might be a good number disgruntled types wiling to help.

Mostly second-class "Russians", although there are quite a few "real" ethnic Russians along the railroads. The Czars were aware that the long railroads across Russia were vulnerable and therefore "encouraged" settlement along the railways. Back in the early years, and probably still today, many of the towns are garrisoned. In addition, quite a few better educated personnel were (and still are) necessary to run the railroads. So it isn't a homogeneously indigenous population. That said, many ethnic Russian people along the rail line aren't "European Russians" and don't necessarily like the way they are treated by Moscow. Fertile ground for dissidents of all kinds.

Thanks for the information.  The pictures of the line make it appear to fully electrified. It would seem practical if you really have a number of guys on the ground to blow up a few power poles here and there, bring sections of track on various lines to a halt, then go hide out again for a while as the other guy tries to fix his transportation mess.  Then do it again.  They can't have enough troops to patrol all that 4,000 miles, so another use for their drones, maybe it is even beyond them. Too bad they haven't come up with a way to interdict Iranian drone shipments.

[GK3]

Are the Russians in that area, those whom Putin classifies as real Russians or those second class Russians whom he is happy to send to the meat grinder in the Ukraine? Might be a good number disgruntled types wiling to help.

Mostly second-class "Russians", although there are quite a few "real" ethnic Russians along the railroads. The Czars were aware that the long railroads across Russia were vulnerable and therefore "encouraged" settlement along the railways. Back in the early years, and probably still today, many of the towns are garrisoned. In addition, quite a few better educated personnel were (and still are) necessary to run the railroads. So it isn't a homogeneously indigenous population. That said, many ethnic Russian people along the rail line aren't "European Russians" and don't necessarily like the way they are treated by Moscow. Fertile ground for dissidents of all kinds.

Thanks for the information.  The pictures of the line make it appear to fully electrified. It would seem practical if you really have a number of guys on the ground to blow up a few power poles here and there, bring sections of track on various lines to a halt, then go hide out again for a while as the other guy tries to fix his transportation mess.  Then do it again.  They can't have enough troops to patrol all that 4,000 miles, so another use for their drones, maybe it is even beyond them. Too bad they haven't come up with a way to interdict Iranian drone shipments.