Characteristics of railway transport and its role in the country's transport system are presented. The basic information on railways, their structure and operation, as well as the requirements imposed on them by the Rules for the Technical Operation of Railways of the Russian Federation (2000) are presented. Changes in the structure, technical equipment and technology of railways in recent years in accordance with the Program of Structural Reform in Railway Transport are reflected. Uninterrupted and trouble-free operation of the diversified railway transport economy requires the coordinated functioning of all its links. In order to most effectively direct their efforts to improve the transportation process, each specialist needs not only to be a professional in his field, but also to have knowledge of issues related to other related sectors of railway transport.