Railway (R)evolution: Latvia Transforms the Legacy of Soviet Railways

Once a vital crossroads of medieval trade routes, Latvia now faces the greatest railway challenge in its history. The story of its railway network, shaped by decades of turmoil, holds the potential for transformation into an essential part of the European railway system.

Latvia and Its Independence: A Long Road Ahead

Latvia’s history became widely recognized in Europe as early as the Middle Ages due to its strategic location along the Daugava River, forming a key segment of the trade route From the Varangians to the Greeks. This importance also led to the formation of the first tribal unions on Latvian territory. Latvia resisted Christianization for a relatively long time, becoming a target for crusades. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the country’s advantageous location by the Baltic Sea brought an influx of German merchants and missionaries, leading to the foundation of Riga and the creation of the Livonian state.

The change came in the 16th century after the Livonian War, when Latvian territory fell under the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, leading to a period of economic growth, according to Britannica. In 1629, following the Swedish-Polish War, Latvia came under Swedish rule, but this was short-lived. By the early 18th century, the Great Northern War resulted in Latvia’s integration into Tsarist Russia. Despite the overall backwardness of the Russian Empire, Latvia experienced unusually rapid industrial development, attracting both new residents and economic growth, eventually becoming one of the most advanced regions of the empire.

The idea of an independent Latvia began to take shape at the beginning of the 20th century, gaining traction during World War I. Latvia declared its independence in 1918, and it was internationally recognized in 1921. The democratic republic thrived economically during the interwar years, but this prosperity was short-lived. In 1939, the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact placed Latvia in the Soviet sphere of influence, leading to its occupation. After World War II, Latvia remained part of the USSR, with resistance brutally suppressed. Latvia finally regained independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Eastern Bloc, joining the EU and NATO in 2004 and adopting the euro in 2014.

The First Railway Tracks in Latvia

Latvia’s railway history began in 1860 with the construction of the St. Petersburg–Warsaw Railway, which passed through Latvian territory. This new mode of transportation was a success, spurring rapid railway development over the next 40 years. The opening of new lines led to significant urban and port development, with large factory and warehouse districts emerging along the tracks. By the early 20th century, Latvia’s rail network spanned 1,927 km, including six main transit lines and narrow-gauge branches. These railways primarily served the Russian Empire, facilitating goods transport between inland provinces and Baltic Sea ports.

One challenge, however, was the fragmented ownership of the lines, with each operated by a different railway company. During World War I, the railway served almost exclusively military needs, including evacuations. German forces occupying Latvia built 822 km of new railways for their purposes.

After declaring independence in 1918, Latvia nationalized most of its railway system under the Ministry of Transport and Labor, establishing Latvijas valsts dzelzceļi (Latvian State Railways) to manage it. Two private companies operated specific lines, including those from Liepāja to Aizpute and Ainaži to Smiltene. However, the network, originally built to meet the needs of Tsarist Russia, required extensive reconstruction to align with the needs of the new Latvian state. War damage also necessitated significant repairs.

By 1940, Latvian State Railways was the country’s largest employer, with 16,000 workers and assets comprising 9% of the national economy. The railway network had grown to 3,350 km, transporting mainly timber and agricultural products.

World War II and Soviet Occupation: A Double Blow

World War II dealt a severe blow to Latvia’s railways. During the Soviet occupation, the network was used for military movements and mass deportations to Siberia. Key railway personnel were either dismissed or exiled, replaced by "reliable" workers from other Soviet republics. When Nazi Germany invaded the USSR, Latvia experienced utter devastation. Within two weeks, the frontline swept through Latvia, leaving widespread destruction. The retreating Red Army destroyed 70% of bridges, much of the rolling stock, and countless railway buildings.

Under German occupation, the railways were repurposed for military use. The narrow-gauge tracks were converted to the standard 1,435 mm gauge, aligning with German standards. However, as Germany’s defeat became imminent, the retreating forces repeated the destructive tactics of the Soviets, blowing up bridges and tracks.

Post-War Recovery and Soviet Control

After the war, the Soviet Union established Latvian Railways as a subsidiary of the USSR’s Ministry of Transport. The network was rebuilt in line with Soviet standards, prioritizing freight transport. Latvia was connected to major cities like Moscow, Leningrad, and Kyiv, and its railways were merged with those of Estonia and Lithuania in 1963 to form Baltic Railways. This structure remained until Latvia regained independence in 1991.

Modern Challenges: Standardization and Rail Baltica

In 1992, Latvia reestablished its national railway company, Latvijas dzelzceļš (Latvian Railways). In 2001, Pasažieru vilciens was created to handle domestic passenger transport. Following EU directives, LatRailNet was established in 2010 to manage infrastructure, overseeing a 2,300-km network.

In 2022, the European Union proposed converting all non-standard gauges to the 1,435 mm standard gauge, presenting a massive challenge for Latvia. The country must reconstruct significant portions of its network, requiring substantial effort and funding.

The most ambitious project, however, is Rail Baltica, designed to integrate the Baltic states into the European rail system. Spanning five EU countries—Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland—this greenfield project will connect Helsinki to Tallinn via an undersea tunnel and continue through Riga and Kaunas to Warsaw, linking with the European railway network. With a total length of 870 km, Rail Baltica is part of the TEN-T network, and the land-based sections are expected to be operational by 2030.

Source: RAILTARGET; Rail Baltica; ldz.lv
Author: Ondřej Čech