Political impacts of Ukraine war

[HavokFour]

Just in case if it was even a question, new Pope also strongly disapproves.

Pope Leo XIV condemns Russia's 'imperialist' invasion of Ukraine

The newly appointed Pope Leo XIV condemned Russia's war against Ukraine in an interview on May 9, characterizing it as "a true invasion, imperialist in nature, where Russia seeks to conquer territory for reasons of power.”

kyivindependent.com

Alt: Pope Leo XIV condemns Russia's 'imperialist' invasion of Ukraine | Ghostarchive

 

[GK .Dundas]

Brave man , I hope I'm wrong but that may have just put crosshairs on his back.

 

[HavokFour]

Younger Pope means it's time to do some overdue in-person house calls.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1922203790931067045

 

[suffolkowner]

maybe the Pope is trying to swing all Ukrainians to the proper church?

 

[Kirkhill]

maybe the Pope is trying to swing all Ukrainians to the proper church?

What? He wants to bring them to the Presbyterian Kirk?

 

[dapaterson]

maybe the Pope is trying to swing all Ukrainians to the proper church?

The Judean People's Front?

 

[GR66]

The Judean People's Front?

I think you meant the People's Front of Judea!

 

[dapaterson]

I think you meant the People's Front of Judea!

Splitter!

 

[PrairieFella]

maybe the Pope is trying to swing all Ukrainians to the proper church?

There's some Ukrianian Catholics in Ukraine still haha. Probably more in Canada though, including myself haha.

 

[HavokFour]

I'm a little surprised that Finland of all places was using the Russian standard for so long. This will be a pretty significant change.

Reasons to change the track gauge include improving Finland's security of supply and military mobility, as well as cross-border links to Sweden and Norway.

It also makes it more difficult for Russia to link their own rail to the Finnish lines, should they decide to try anything one day.

Minister: Finland plans to change its track gauge to European standard

Finland's track gauge is the same as Russia's was in the late 19th and early 20th century— 1,524mm — which is 89mm wider than the European standard.

yle.fi

Alt: https://archive.is/3h2VP

 

[brihard]

I'm a little surprised that Finland of all places was using the Russian standard for so long. This will be a pretty significant change.



It also makes it more difficult for Russia to link their own rail to the Finnish lines, should they decide to try anything one day.

Minister: Finland plans to change its track gauge to European standard

Finland's track gauge is the same as Russia's was in the late 19th and early 20th century— 1,524mm — which is 89mm wider than the European standard.

yle.fi

Alt: https://archive.is/3h2VP

@Humphrey Bogart what’s it look like in practical terms to change the gauge of a whole rail network?

 

[Humphrey Bogart]

@Humphrey Bogart what’s it look like in practical terms to change the gauge of a whole rail network?

I'll write this in my "shit that isn't going to happen" notebook lol

It would be incredibly impractical and cost prohibitive.

The gauge difference is 9cm approx. Every rail would need to be ripped up and redone. Bridges would need to be rebuilt in some cases.

Rough estimate: replacing just the rail alone would cost between $2-$4billion. We won't even talk about everything else.


I could see them possibly building a dedicated line that is on European gauge. Doubt they replace everything else though.

 

[RangerRay]

I'm a little surprised that Finland of all places was using the Russian standard for so long. This will be a pretty significant change.



It also makes it more difficult for Russia to link their own rail to the Finnish lines, should they decide to try anything one day.

Minister: Finland plans to change its track gauge to European standard

Finland's track gauge is the same as Russia's was in the late 19th and early 20th century— 1,524mm — which is 89mm wider than the European standard.

yle.fi

Alt: https://archive.is/3h2VP

Not too surprising when one considers pre-Bolshevik Russian colonization of Finland and later forced neutrality after the Winter War, aka “Finlandization”.

 

[GK .Dundas]

What? He wants to bring them to the Presbyterian Kirk?

The Reverend Bruce Miles enters the chat.

 

[brihard]

I'll write this in my "shit that isn't going to happen" notebook lol

It would be incredibly impractical and cost prohibitive.

The gauge difference is 9cm approx. Every rail would need to be ripped up and redone. Bridges would need to be rebuilt in some cases.

Rough estimate: replacing just the rail alone would cost between $2-$4billion. We won't even talk about everything else.


I could see them possibly building a dedicated line that is on European gauge. Doubt they replace everything else though.

Dumb question but if they press ahead anyway, is it easier going from a wider gauge to a narrow one? I’m thinking existing bridges, turns etc that could handle a larger width or radius should at least be able to handle a smaller one?

 

[tomydoom]

What? He wants to bring them to the Presbyterian Kirk?

The one true church, we just try not to talk about predestination.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

The Judean People's Front?

Real men join the Popular Front of Judea!

 

[Kirkhill]

I'll write this in my "shit that isn't going to happen" notebook lol

It would be incredibly impractical and cost prohibitive.

The gauge difference is 9cm approx. Every rail would need to be ripped up and redone. Bridges would need to be rebuilt in some cases.

Rough estimate: replacing just the rail alone would cost between $2-$4billion. We won't even talk about everything else.


I could see them possibly building a dedicated line that is on European gauge. Doubt they replace everything else though.

Do I remember from my trainspotting days some reports of countries maintaining facilities for swapping bogies at the points where different gauges met?

Long ago and far away coupled with youthful enthusiasm. YMMV.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

I'll write this in my "shit that isn't going to happen" notebook lol

It would be incredibly impractical and cost prohibitive.

The gauge difference is 9cm approx. Every rail would need to be ripped up and redone. Bridges would need to be rebuilt in some cases.

Rough estimate: replacing just the rail alone would cost between $2-$4billion. We won't even talk about everything else.


I could see them possibly building a dedicated line that is on European gauge. Doubt they replace everything else though.

Took the US 3 days to switch gauges. Ukraine is apparently switching gauges slowly but surely to European. Part of it is to ensure the Russians can not easily use any railbed they capture in the future.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Do I remember from my trainspotting days some reports of countries maintaining facilities for swapping bogies at the points where different gauges met?

Long ago and far away coupled with youthful enthusiasm. YMMV.

Yes there are videos of the places , they have special cars designed to accommodate different gauges and have cranes that lift the car off the trucks and over to other rail gauge. Also some cars do it automatically.