The appearance of railway transport in Russia (organizational aspect)

The development of economic relations in the Russian Empire predetermined the creation of railway transport as a socio-economic structure. The article provides an overview of the main decisions showing both the initial stage of the formation of railway transport (1806) and its further development during the 19th - early 20th centuries. Relevant legal acts, other decisions of governing bodies, and scientific works on this topic are analyzed. It is noted, in particular, that awareness of the importance of this type of transport at the state level occurred later than in Europe, however, after the first third of the 19th century. Active railway construction was underway in Russia. At the same time, the priority of using public funds or private capital in this matter was never clearly determined.