The Presidential Library’s materials give an insight into the triumphant career of the first Minister of Railways

The scientific paper of the first Minister of Railways of the Russian Empire Pavel Melnikov “About railways” (1835), the electronic copy of which is available on the portal of the Presidential library, gives the following definition: “The widening and development of communications inside the country is, certainly, the key source of the industry and trade activities, which distinguish our century”.

However, the author of the publication with the group of associates had to face challenges to start covering the territory of the state with the railway network. Pavel Petrovich Melnikov, whose 213th anniversary of the birth is celebrated on August 3, 2018, in the lengthy and tough process proved to be not just a brilliant engineer, but also a citizen and statesman, who got rid of ineffective liberal economic models.

"Brilliant abilities, quick thinking and general talent of Melnikov were first noticed when he studied at the Institute of Railways Engineers, which until the end of the 40s gave the most profound and high standard education," reads V. A. Panayev’s book “Four Ministers of Railways” (1889). Its digital copy is also accessible on the portal of the Presidential Library. "At that time, an outstanding group of great renowned professors worked in the institute. Not only did they brilliantly impart their knowledge to the students, they refined the spiritual and moral values of the latter as well."

Thus it is not surprising that according to the book’s author the career of young Melnikov resembled "a triumphant march”. At first Pavel Petrovich was a tutor, later he became a brilliant professor of applied mechanics, and meanwhile dealt with various complicated practical problems. For example, when the upper dome of the Trinity Cathedral was blown down by the stormy wind, Melnikov was commissioned to produce a new one, which he created following an extremely smart wooden model, which ensured its extra solidity.

When Tsarskoye Selo Railway was opened in 1837, Russia was ranked the fifth country in Europe and the sixth in the world to have built a railway for a general use. During the first years it proved it could operate efficiently despite severe winter conditions.

Melnikov was sent abroad to study the construction of railways. On his return he went on teaching at the institute, however, when Emperor Nicholas I decided to build a railway linking St. Petersburg with Moscow, the professor again travelled abroad in order to explore the railways in the United States of America. Back home, Melnikov called for the urgent construction of the St. Petersburg-Moscow railway. The book by Panayev includes the report, which detailed the trip and featured criticism of the norms of railway construction that had existed abroad and put forward some new proposals based on excellent knowledge of the railways engineering, which clearly showed the originality of the Russian engineering thought. For instance, he proposed the width of tracks and roadbed different from the one used in Western Europe, and also presented his own original calculations of the key track facilities.

When Nicholas II decided to build a railway between St. Petersburg and Moscow, Melnikov was appointed the Head of the Northern Directorate, while Nikolay Kraft became the Head of the Southern Directorate. Emperor Nicholas Pavlovich, who clearly understood technical problems, did not take much notice of collegial decisions of various committees, commissions, etc., "and that is why one day the emperor invited Melnikov", Panayev writes, "and expressed his wish to learn his personal opinion about the direction of the road. Melnikov said (I quote), that "although Novgorod is the city worthy of respect, the railway aims to link two rather busy capital cities, that is why extending this way by 80 versts and therefore forever increasing the fee would be a mistake and a great damage to general state economy". The emperor replied: "I am glad that you share my opinion; let the railway be straight!”.

Only 4.000 rubles were provided by the Department of Railways to conduct exploration works. This money was to cover the expenses of hiring workers from peasants and cutting down the trees on the area of over 600 versts. The work was done manually. The only tools were: a heavy iron pickaxe, a spade, a wheelbarrow, and a huge wooden hammer resembling the pick.

Not only did the workers respect Melnikov, they genuinely loved him, as well. Engineers of roads for a long time had to live in remote villages, in peasant’s houses, some of them spent years there. Melnikov was able to encourage his workers: "His visits may be truly called a holiday for engineers," states Panayev in the above-mentioned book. – He used to spend several days with the rest in the house. Everyone often slept on the floor, on hay or straw, covered with anything at hand. We listened with delight to stories which Pavel Petrovich told about his experience abroad. His indifference to the lack of comfort could be called legendary; for example, despite his age and high position at that time, he did not have his own carriage and traveled around the works in a cart… "

The railway had been completed within eight and a half years and was one of the remarkable engineering structures of the middle of 19th c., being the world’s largest at that time. The official opening of the road was held on November 1 (13), 1851.

The electronic copy of “Bronchhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary” (1890-1907) from the Presidential Library’s collection, reads: "After the completion of the road, Melnikov was responsible for exploration of the area of the future railway from Moscow to the Black Sea. In 1858, Melnikov was appointed the member of the council of the Main Directorate of Railways and the chief inspector of private railways." While checking the commercial activities of the latter, Melnikov faced a surprising number of financial violations and cases of bribery. "If Pavel Petrovich had remained the chief executive longer, “Four Ministers of Railways” reads, "then, in view of the successful practical experience, he would have charged the government with roads construction, and, with his determination and firmness, they would have reached the goal, despite any opposition and could have saved hundreds of millions, and would not have allowed the invasion of concessionaires who had come out of nowhere".

In 1865, the department headed by Melnikov was transformed into a ministry, and he became its first minister. During his career, the network of Russian railways had been extended by more than 7 thousand kilometers.