International railway communication in Lithuania in 1919−1940

Užsienio šalyse istoriškai formavosi skirtingos transporto ir jo teikiamų paslaugų vadybos tradicijos, gana skirtingas valstybinio reguliavimo ar liberalizavimo lygmuo. Po Pirmojo pasaulinio karo Nepriklausomoje Lietuvoje pradėta analizuoti Vakarų šalių patirtį numatant naujo kelių tinklo bei transporto parko formavimo ir jo pritaikymo perspektyvas, sąveikos su užsienio partneriais galimybes. Straipsnyje nagrinėjama Lietuvos geležinkelininkų bendradarbiavimas su užsienio vežėjais siekiant organizuoti tarptautinius pervežimus ir tobulinti jų vadybą.The article analyses the cooperation between Lithuania’s railroaders and their foreign partners with the aim to orga-nize international transportation and improve its manage-ment. The period under the investigation starts in 1919, when Lithuania’s railroad government was formed and negotiations with foreign transport institutions started, and continues till 1939−1940, when Vilnius region transport system was integrated into international transportation system. The analyzed archival and published sources allow to claim that Lithuania’s railroad system was inte-grated into the projects of Western European transit freight services on the basis of the experience accumulated in 1923 when railroad communications with Germany and the then Soviet Union were established. The regulations of Berne convention were also taken into consideration. The direct railroad system Paris–Vladivostok (through Siberia) started in 1926; to implement this system, it was necessary to combine elements of direct and transit com-munications.International freight services were operated in close co-operation with other Baltic countries’ colleagues because the general communication strategy influenced the flow of passengers and goods as well as profits. Lithuania’s and other Baltic states’ international transportation possibilities expanded in 1939 when Lithuania took over Vilnius with its railway section.Lithuania’s international railway communication system had considerable influence on the country’s economy; in addition to other benefits, it connected Klaipėda’s seaport with international overland transport system