Trains in Russia

Russian Railways is the largest railway company in the world, with 1.2 million employees and a total monopoly of all rail services within Russia. At 53,130 miles, the track length is the longest in the world. A massive 80% of all passenger transportation and 82% of all freight in Russia go by rail. The figures are impressive, with 1.3 billion passengers and 1.3 billion tonnes of freight each year.

The first railway in Russia was built in 1837 between St Petersburg and Tsarskoye Selo, the summer residence of the Tsars, about 16 miles from St Petersburg. By 1842 the Tsar decreed that the Russian Empire should be filled with railways, partly so that he could travel to see his subjects in ease. The network spread, including the now-famous Trans-Siberian Railway, linking the heart of Russia with the Sea of Japan. That line was not completed until 1916 and runs for 9,228 kms (5,771 miles).

The First World War and the subsequent civil war destroyed about 80% of Russia's rail network but during the Soviet period up to 1940 vast improvements were made and the network extended to over 106,000 kms. This helped enormously in the USSR's role during the Second World War (Great Patriotic War to the Russian people). After the War further additions pushed the total up to 145,000 kms, but following the break-up of the Soviet Union there was a great fear that the system would disintegrate but, following a decree of September 18th, 2003, all the assets of the railways in the various Soviet republics were transferred to the state railway system.

One fascinating way of travelling to Russia from western Europe is by rail. A special through carriage is now available twice a week between Paris and Moscow, involving a stop of several hours in Berlin during which, as your luggage stays safely on board, you have time to explore the German capital. The train is a sleeper service, arranged, a bit oddly, in three-berth compartments but it is not expensive at around €333 one way. Its route does mean that a couple of visas will be needed adding another €100 (including the Russian visa). Great way to travel.

For our special feature on the Trans-Siberian Railway please go to the page marked "Long Distance Trains".