Railway transport as a part of tourism resources in Russia and worldwide

Rail transport plays an important role in tourism, acting simultaneously as a means of transportation and a tourist attraction. However, rail traffic in tourism is steadily declining today due to the geographic location of individual macroregions and countries, the location of tourist centers, and features of the using defunct transport networks. All this necessitates a comprehensive study of the role and importance of rail transport in tourism. In particular, the article dis-cusses current trends in the development and geography of rail transport in tourism segment. The European macro-region is characterized by the largest share of rail passenger transport in tourism, in connection with this, the authors describe ten European rail transport companies selected by their significance. The largest companies today are actively guided by tourism, their sites are adapted for travelers from different countries and allow tourists to plan route on their own. Rail transport is the basis for transport tours and excursions, as well as for railway cruises. The formation of conceptual recreational spaces, based on abandoned transport lines, so-called rail trails, is the important development trend in operating rail transport in tourism.