Does anyone know if there are any agents in Shanghai who can book tickets and get the Russian Visas needed. I have been asked by an old friend to try and help with a trip from China back to the Uk using the TSE as par tof the journey.

Hmmm, it might be a bit difficult since the TransSiberian ends in Beijing, not Shanghai. Try contacting Richard Tian (richards@public3.bta.net.cn) in Beijing and see if he can help? If your friend wants to do the TransSiberian and start in China, he/she'll have to start in Beijing anyway, not Shanghai.