First Russian Railway Opens

The 27 km line used horse-drawn carriages initially before steam locomotives took over, marking the birth of rail transport in the Russian Empire. Engineer Franz Anton von Gerstner designed the 6-foot gauge line, overcoming skepticism from officials about winter operations. It connected the imperial residence to the capital, allowing the Romanov family easy travel and boosting public interest in railways. This early success paved the way for the vast Russian rail network that followed, influencing military logistics and economic growth in the 19th century.