Railway Troops Day 2025: history, traditions, congratulations

Every year on August 6, the Russian Armed Forces celebrate Railway Troops Day, a holiday for military personnel and civilians who are engaged in the maintenance, restoration, construction and protection of railways used by the Russian army. In 2025, it falls on a Wednesday. Izvestia tells about the history of the railway, as well as shares postcards and congratulations for the culprits of the celebration.

The history of the Railway Troops Day holiday

Railway Troops Day appeared on the calendar in 1996 by decree of the President of Russia. Thus, the role of the railway in the development of the country's defense and economic potential was emphasized. In 2006, the holiday passed into the category of memorable days of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

The date of the celebration was not chosen by chance — on August 6, 1851, Emperor Nicholas I approved the "Regulations on the management of the St. Petersburg-Moscow Railway." Among other things, the document included a clause on the creation of special troops to protect the country's largest railway artery at that time. A total of 17 companies were formed: 14 military workers, two conductor companies and one telegraphic company. They were responsible for the safety of bridges and crossings, the smooth operation of stations and the maintenance of railway tracks.

In 1870, the railway troops became part of the engineering troops of the Russian Empire. Subsequently, the fighters of these units proved themselves in many significant military conflicts. During the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, the Bendery–Galats railway section was launched through the efforts of railway workers, along which supplies to the Russian army went. During the First World War, they built more than 4.3 thousand km of railway tracks and restored about 4.6 thousand km.

Traveling coachman: how railway warriors organized supplies on the front line

In the area of a special military operation, a remote-controlled platform is used to deliver goods.

The Soviet leadership was also aware of the importance of the railway troops — already in 1918, their units appeared in the ranks of the Red Army. During the Civil War, they ensured the uninterrupted operation of 20 thousand km of railway tracks. The railroad workers showed their courage and professionalism during the clashes with the Japanese in 1938-1939, as well as during the Soviet-Finnish war.

During the Great Patriotic War, soldiers of the railway troops defended the country's most important transport arteries, ensured uninterrupted supply to the army and industry, engaged in the transfer of units, evacuation of enterprises and civilians. Their units participated in the defense of Moscow and Leningrad, in the battles of Stalingrad and Kursk Bulge, as well as in operations in the territories of the Union republics and in Eastern European countries. From 1941 to 1945, the military railway built and restored more than 120 thousand km of railways and more than 3 thousand bridges.

After the war, the railway troops were engaged in the reconstruction of destroyed transport arteries and the creation of new highways. In 1989, the Red Army was excluded from the Armed Forces of the USSR. In 1995, by decree of the President of Russia, they came under the control of the Federal Service of the Railway Troops of the Russian Federation. In 2004, this organization was abolished, and the railway troops were transferred to the Ministry of Defense.

Today, the railway troops are part of the logistics system of the Russian Armed Forces.

Tasks of the railway troops in peacetime:

Maintaining combat readiness;
providing technical cover and restoration of important railway facilities in the country;
training of military and civilian personnel;
assistance in the elimination of consequences of accidents, natural disasters and catastrophes.

Tasks of the railway troops in wartime:

technical cover, restoration and fencing of railway facilities along the front line and inside the country;
ensuring the safe operation of the head sections of railway lines;
building railway bridges, increasing the capacity of existing and rehabilitated tracks, and building new railways.

Traditions of the Railway Troops Day in 2025

Concerts, ceremonial formations, meetings with veterans and other events are held in honor of the Railway Troops Day. Distinguished military personnel and civilian specialists are awarded honorary awards and orders. Museums and libraries are preparing lectures, exhibitions and interactive lessons dedicated to the exploits of railway workers.

I brought it with a bang: how will railway drones help the troops in the SVR zone?

The Russian army has started using remote-controlled platforms capable of carrying more than a ton of cargo.

Traditional commemorative events are also held on August 6. As a rule, they are organized in cities where there are memorials to railway soldiers, for example in Kungur and Nizhny Tagil. Moscow also has monuments and commemorative plaques dedicated to the soldiers of the Red Army. They can be seen near the Belorussky railway Station, at Kanatchikova station and at the historical site of the Podmoskovnaya Locomotive Depot.

Postcards and congratulations on the Railway Troops Day

On Railway Troops Day, congratulations are accepted by everyone involved in railway operations: active military personnel, veterans, students of specialized educational institutions, as well as engineers, communications specialists, doctors, support workers and other civilian specialists. All of them ensure the safety of Russian railways both in peacetime and in wartime. Here are some examples of wishes for the culprits of the celebration:

Открытка с Днем железнодорожных войск