On March 9, 1891 Tsar Alexander III initiated the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway (or the Great Siberian Way, as it was called then). The Armoury holds a magnificent Fabergé Easter egg containing a model of the Trans-Siberian train. A map of the Russian Empire is engraved on the silver surface of the egg, with the route of the Trans-Siberian Railway stretching across. Hidden within the egg, is a mechanical model of the train, with a platinum locomotive, complete with a ruby lantern and rosette diamond headlights. Dainty gold coaches with windows of rock crystal are marked with inscriptions that can only be read with a magnifying glass. In 1900, visitors to the World Exhibition in Paris had a rare opportunity to compare a real and working Siberian train car, especially brought to France for that occasion, to its miniature replica made by the masters of the House of Fabergé.
1900.
Master Mikhail Perchin.