The textbook gives a brief description of railway transport, reveals its role in the country's economy, sets out the history of the emergence and development of transport, as well as basic information about the structure and operation of railways and their current state. The main changes caused by the structural reform of railway transport are reflected. In an accessible form, issues related to the technical support of railways and the organization of railway transport are considered. The textbook is intended for students of technical schools and colleges of economic specialties.