[Goose]

So would you rather have electrified line or non electrified line in a war zone.  I suppose you could run regular diesel electric engines and forget about electrification, but do you have enough rolling stock.  Lots of issues for such a big country have to try and manage with such a limited population who can do it.

It is universally true that non-electrified lines are easier to operate unless the traffic density is quite high, both in peace and war.  The the track, the traction (locomotives), and the electric infrastructure (catenary and power conversion system) are required for electric traction. With diesel-electric, the locomotives generate their own electricity. No additional electric infrastructure required. The diesel locomotives require more maintenance than the pure electric ones do (because of the diesel engine and electric generator. They are also less "green", but I don't think Russia cares about that much :-). However, that can be done in a centralized heated facility. Maintenance of the catenary requires people out in the snow over very long distances. It is much harder. Add to that the fact that in war, the catenary is a target that doesn't exist with self-generating locomotives. If any part of the catenary is non-functional, you can't use the line. None of the engines can cross the "dead" area. OTOH, a damaged diesel locomotive can just be coupled to by the replacement. Much easier.

[Goose]

So would you rather have electrified line or non electrified line in a war zone.  I suppose you could run regular diesel electric engines and forget about electrification, but do you have enough rolling stock.  Lots of issues for such a big country have to try and manage with such a limited population who can do it.

It is universally true that non-electrified lines are easier to operate unless the traffic density is quite high, both in peace and war.  The the track, the traction (locomotives), and the electric infrastructure (catenary and power conversion system) are required for electric traction. With diesel-electric, the locomotives generate their own electricity. No additional electric infrastructure required. The diesel locomotives require more maintenance than the pure electric ones do (because of the diesel engine and electric generator. They are also less "green", but I don't think Russia cares about that much :-). However, that can be done in a centralized heated facility. Maintenance of the catenary requires people out in the snow over very long distances. It is much harder. Add to that the fact that in war, the catenary is a target that doesn't exist with self-generating locomotives. If any part of the catenary is non-functional, you can't use the line. None of the engines can cross the "dead" area. OTOH, a damaged diesel locomotive can just be coupled to by the replacement. Much easier.