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In today's Economist (p.65), China is building rail connections with Myanmar, and other States in S E Asia. Previous media stories in last few weeeks, Mongolia building rail copnnections with Russia (to avoid reliance on Chinese railways for sea access), and China extending its Tibet line into Nepal, (past Mt Everest). Are we seeing a resurgence of the 19th century, of extension of political power by railway building? Zoom out on Google Railearth and the picture favours China even more. An energy-constrained society, still hankering after the cost-reducing effects of globalisation and economies of scale, might well see advantages in rail. Is a global; rail network possible? Yes, if a long-mooted line via the Bering Strait is ever built; the only physically conceivable way of connecting the Americas to Eurasia / Africa by rail. Now who would be at the gobal 'centre'? East Siberia, Manchuria, China. Europe would be on the periphery, especially Ireland, even the UK to some extent (message to Dublin; get tunneling under the St Georges Channel). Much as it was 1000 years ago. Ironically the pioneer of modern railways, Britain, is left on the edge. Well that's never happened before, has it? Dr Hillary Shaw School of Business, Management and Marketing Harper Adams University College Newport Shropshire TF10 8NB