The North Caucasian Railway in the second half of the 1980s - early 1990s: on the issue of managerial decision-making

The North Caucasian Railway (NCR) represents a vital transport artery in the Southern region of Russia, established in the latter half of the 19th century during a period marked by intensive economic development. Throughout the 20th century, the railway rapidly evolved, enhancing the prospects for the growth of the Soviet economy. It served as a key transport conduit for the nation, linking the Southern region with the center and other territories, and fulfilled critical functions in the organization of freight and passenger transportation. The objective of the present article is to investigate the operational activities of the North Caucasian Railway during the late 1980s and early 1990s, a particularly tumultuous period in its history, characterized by the twilight of the Soviet economic system and the dawn of market economy reforms. This study aims to identify the range of challenges confronted by the railway and the Ministry of Railway Transport as a whole during this period, as well as to explore potential solutions to these issues. Additionally, the role of the NCR’s leadership in formulating a comprehensive development strategy for the railway will be examined. The findings presented herein are based on research conducted using both published and archival sources. Utilizing retrospective, ideographic, and comparative methodologies, the analysis focuses on the decision-making processes of the NCR’s leadership and the efficacy of their implementation. This examination contributes to a deeper understanding of railway management during a critical transitional phase in Russian history and highlights the complexities inherent in navigating systemic economic changes.