At the beginning, the Trans-Siberian railway followed the Angara River from Irkutsk and stopped on the western shore of Baikal. Passengers who wished to continue eastward had to cross the Lake by boat (in summer) or in horse carriage (in winter, the Lake is frozen).

When the route was extended eastward, the portion between Port Baikal and Slyoudianka (the southern tip) has been built along the shore on 80km, through numerous bridges and tunnels. Later, a more direct route was built between Irkutsk and the southern tip of the Lake, then the dam on the Angara drowned part of the original route. Therefore remains this way in dead-end since the southern tip. Fortunately, its tourist attraction has ensured its survival. It is also the only way to access to some villages on the way.

Nowadays, four trains a week run in five hours the 80km of single track. This Thursday, It is a diesel with two third-class cars waiting for us before the proud small passenger building of Slyoudianka. For the modest sum of 74 rubles per person, We ship and take place around a square of platskart. The provodnitsa (Head of car) sort mail to be distributed to the judgments. It left for a five hour drive at very low speed, punctuated many stops in stations that are sometimes only a sign and a footstool. At the terminus, The gîte staff waiting for us unless we've warned him… Fortunately because the hotel is on the top of a steep and broken road !