The railway transport

All types of transport included in Azerbaijan’s single transport complex were developed. In internal and external cargo transportations the railway transport occupies an important place. 70% of imported cargo, 30% of passenger transportation comes to this type of transport.

The total length of railways in the country reaches 2120 km. In 1111 kms of them electric locomotives move. Railways on Baku-Tbilisi, Baku -Derbent lines and railway lines that used in the Absheron area, completely were electrified. Electrification of railways began in 1926 with Baku-Sabuncıı (20 km) line.

There are following railway lines directions in Azerbaijan: Baku-Balakhany is the first railway line built in the country. This road was constructed in 1878-1879. In 1880 for transportation of oil  Baku-Balakhany-Sabunchi-Surakhany (length 20 km), in 1879-1883 Baku-Tbilisi-Batumi lines were commissioned 

The transport system of the territory connected to the railway lines of the Russian transport system through Baku-Derbent line. The line length being in use since 1900, is 231 km. Later this direction was linked with transport lines of Georgia, Armenia and Iran. In these directions the railway lines built in 1908 on Tbilisi-Yerevan-Ulukhanli-Norasen-Julfa route and  Alat-Julfa railway built in 1941 (length 445 km) are of great importance.

To develope settlements, to ensure the transportation of passengers and cargo, to explore the new territories, and local natural resources Baku–Agstafa (length 456 km), Agstafa-Gazakh, Yevlakh-Mingechevir, Yevlakh-Agdam (built in 1963- 65), Agdam -Khankendi (1977), Yevlakh-Balakan, Padar-chol-Goyler railway lines were built. Gushchu-Alabaslı railway line was built in 1950 (length 35 km) for transportation of iron ore mined from Dashkesen. The railway line Padar-Chol Goyler with 25 km of length serves to deliver grape and winery products to main railway lines. For development of polymetallic ore deposits found in the region of Sheki-Zagatala, for social-economic development of the region, for strengthening it Yevlakh-Balakan railway line with length of 162 kms was built in 1986.  

Shirvan -Hajigabul (length 9 km), Sarıjallar-Sabirabad (7 km), Qaralılar-Agjabedi, Minjivan-Gafan (39 km) branches are lines extended from Alat-Julfa railway direction. Osmanly-Astara railway line connects Lankaran-Astara economic region with other regions of the country. This line with 220 km of length was constructed in 1941. Salyan-Neftchala line is extended from this line with 35 km of length. The purpose of the construction of this line was transportation of manufactured products, fish and oil.

There is a ring railway around the city of Baku. Surakhany–Qala (built in 1949), Gala-Pirallahi (1959), Yeni Surakhany-Hovsan (1968), Gala-Buzovna, Buzovna-Bilgah, Bilgah-Pirshagi-Sumqayit railway line are its main parts.

The oil and oil products, metal, ore, machinery, equipment, food and forestry products are transported on railway lines. The northern direction are used for more for this purpose.

Subway transportation plays an important role in intra-city transportation. The total length of subway lines, which operating since 1967, is 28.5 km.