The resolution adopted to build the Russia’s first Tsarskoye Selo passenger railway

On April 16, 1836 (old style), the Emperor’s Decree to the Senate was published on the approval of the "Provisions on the establishment of the Society of Shareholders for the construction of the St. Petersburg – Tsarskoye Selo railway, over to Pavlovsk."

The construction of the railway began from Pavlovsk towards St. Petersburg on May 1, 1836. In July, a canopied platform for visitors was built and the foundation of the hotel building was laid. By September 30, 23.5 km of tracks were laid. On September 10, the construction of a railway station and a locomotive depot with a turntable began in Tsarskoye Selo. At the end of September, a horse-drawn train with few carriages made test trips from Pavlovsk to Tsarskoye Selo.

On November 3, 1836, the first steam locomotive went on a trip. The machine was shipped disassembled by sea from England to Kronstadt, then across the gulf further by Obvodny Canal and on horse carts over to Tsarskoye Selo, where it was assembled and tested (the first steam locomotive was manufactured in Newcastle at the T. Hackworth’s plant).

The grand opening of the Russia’s first ever passenger railway was held on October 30 (old style), 1837. St. Petersburg and Tsarskoye Selo were linked by a single-track railway line with trains running along.

This was a momentous project that gave impetus to emergence of railways in Russia, thus stimulating the domestic economy and bringing the entire nation to a new level.