Rail transport in Lithuania

In 1851, the government of the Russian Empire decided to build the Saint Petersburg–Warsaw railway.{{cite web|title=Geležinkelių infrastruktūros istorija|url=https://ltginfra.lt/istorija|access-date=2 October 2021|language=lt|website=LTG Infra|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128141953/https://ltginfra.lt/istorija|archive-date=28 January 2021|url-status=live}} The construction of the railway in Lithuania began in 1859 and the line included Daugavpils–Vilnius–Grodno and Lentvaris–Kaunas–Virbalis sections which were completed in 1862. The first train arrived from Daugavpils (in Latvia) to Vilnius on 17 September 1860.{{cite web|title=Lietuvos geležinkelių transportas|url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-gelezinkeliu-transportas/|access-date=2 October 2021|language=lt|first=Adolfas|last=Baublys|website=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija}} However, the first commercial operation began between Kaunas temporary station on the left bank of the river Nemunas and Eydtkuhnen in East Prussia on 11 April 1861. Initially, there were 21 Lithuanian stations. Building of the railway required different engineering solutions, including the construction of Kaunas Railway Tunnel and Paneriai Tunnel.{{cite web|title=Lietuvos geležinkelių istorija|url=https://www.litrail.lt/istorija|access-date=2 October 2021|language=lt|website=Lietuvos Geležinkeliai|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116081108/https://www.litrail.lt/istorija|archive-date=16 January 2021|url-status=live}} The greatest expansion of the railway happened during 1857–1914 when nearly two thirds of the network, used at the end of 20th century, was constructed. The railway construction had a significant impact to the economic development of the region.

When the Imperial German Army occupied Lithuania in 1915, the railway became the main way to supply food and ammunition for the German army.{{cite journal|title=Development of Lithuanian railways|first=Iveta|last=Taparauskaitė|journal=Žiemgala|date=2010|issue=2|issn=1392-3781|url=https://www.lituanistika.lt/content/32884|pages=32–37|access-date=2 October 2021|language=lt}} During this time, Germans replaced a lot of the 1524 mm gauge railways track with the 1435 mm standard gauge. In various parts of the country, the German army also constructed 600 mm gauge tracks. Lithuanian independence was restored in 1918 and the Lithuanian government concluded an agreement with Germany on 4 July 1919 on the handover of the railway assets to the Ministry of Transport. During the years after World War I, Lithuanian Railways reconstructed the tracks, connecting them into a complete network. In 1923 the Klaipėda region was reunited with Lithuania and the port of Klaipėda became a part of the Lithuanian railway system. The interwar period was marked by the expansion of the narrow gauge railways which contributed to the economic development of the rural areas, especially in the north-eastern Lithuania.

In 1940, following the Soviet occupation, railway activities were reorganized and all agreements concluded by Lithuania with neighbouring countries terminated. Soviets changed most of the network from the standard gauge to broad gauge. The railway gauge was again changed by Nazi occupying force in 1941 and then once again changed back by the Soviets in 1944. After the World War II, the railway network required significant repairs. The Soviets also replaced a lot of the narrow gauge railway with the broad gauge and, in fact, completely dismantled {{convert|400|km}} of it. During the Soviet occupation all railways in the Baltic states were managed from Riga. The first electric train began service on 29 December 1975 after the electrification of the Vilnius–Kaunas line.

Following the independence restoration in 1991, Lithuania restored its membership in international rail transport organizations, established national railway company Lietuvos geležinkeliai AB and began gradual modernization of its railway network. In 2000s, that included speed improvements (up to 160 km/h — passenger trains, 120 km/h — freight trains), modern communication and safety systems (GSM-R and ERTMS), new trains and locomotives (manufactured by Siemens AG, Pesa, Škoda). In 2020, the construction of the high-speed Rail Baltica began.

File:Kaunas_Railway_Tunnel.jpg|Construction of Kaunas Railway Tunnel, 19th century

File:Vilnia,_Vakzalnaja,_Čyhunačnaja._Вільня,_Вакзальная,_Чыгуначная_(1920).jpg|Vilnius railway station in 1920

File:Hat of watchman of Lithuanian railway station with Vytis (Waykimas), 1937.jpg|The hat of a watchman of a Lithuanian railway station in 1937

File:Klaipedas dzelzceļa stacija - panoramio.jpg|L-1160 steam locomotive in Klaipėda railway station

In late 19th and early 20th centuries, some Lithuanian cities used the wagonways i.e. trams pulled by horses which were colloquially called "konkė".{{cite web|title=Vilnius irgi turėjo tramvajų|url=https://madeinvilnius.lt/vilniaus-istorija/neatrastas-vilnius/vilnius-irgi-turejo-tramvaju/|date=21 November 2020|website=Made in Vilnius|access-date=15 October 2021|language=lt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128133101/https://madeinvilnius.lt/vilniaus-istorija/neatrastas-vilnius/vilnius-irgi-turejo-tramvaju/|archive-date=28 November 2020|url-status=live}} Kaunas had one wagonway line from 1892 until 1929.{{cite web|title=Laikinosios sostinės fenomenas|url=https://kauno.diena.lt/dienrastis/kita/laikinosios-sostines-fenomenas-45086|date=17 February 2007|website=Kauno Diena|access-date=10 October 2021|language=lt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206205823/https://kauno.diena.lt/dienrastis/kita/laikinosios-sostines-fenomenas-45086|archive-date=6 February 2017|url-status=live}} Vilnius had three wagonway lines from 1893 to 1925 using the metre-gauge railway. The wagonways lost popularity due to the emergence of buses and cars. Vilnius, however, briefly had a diesel tramway with a sole line between 1924 and 1926 and Kaunas had a narrow gauge passenger line of steam tramway, called kukushka before 1935.[https://www.kvb.lt/krastieciams/gallery/267-kai-kaune-dar-puskavo-kukuska Kai Kaune dar puškavo „kukuška“] During the interwar period there were plans to revive electric tramways both in Vilnius and Kaunas, but they never materialized. Klaipėda, on the other hand, had an electric tramway with 2 active lines from 1904 to 1934.{{cite web|title=Elektrinis Klaipėdos stebuklas – vienintelis toks Lietuvoje|url=https://www.lrytas.lt/kultura/istorija/2017/08/29/news/elektrinis-klaipedos-stebuklas-vienintelis-toks-lietuvoje-2355403|date=29 August 2017|website=lrytas.lt|access-date=15 October 2021|language=lt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019112438/https://www.lrytas.lt/kultura/istorija/2017/08/29/news/elektrinis-klaipedos-stebuklas-vienintelis-toks-lietuvoje-2355403|archive-date=19 October 2021|url-status=live}} It was revived again in 1950 but due to the lack of popularity closed in 1967.{{cite web|title=Klaipėda gaivina tramvajaus tradicijas|url=http://lzinios.lt/lzinios/Gimtasis-krastas/klaipeda-gaivina-tramvajaus-tradicijas/247962|url-status=dead|date=29 July 2017|website=Lietuvos Žinios|access-date=10 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915114749/http://lzinios.lt/lzinios/Gimtasis-krastas/klaipeda-gaivina-tramvajaus-tradicijas/247962|archive-date=15 September 2017|language=lt}}

File:LTG-Link-Vilnius-Kaunas-EJ575-inside-Sep-2021.jpg train]]

National state-owned railway company Lietuvos Geležinkeliai (LTG) provides most of the rail services through its subsidiary companies: LTG Link provides passenger services, while LTG Cargo provides freight service.{{cite web|title=New structure boosts Lithuanian Railways' competitiveness|url=https://www.railjournal.com/in_depth/new-structure-boosts-lithuanian-railways-competitiveness|date=5 November 2020|website=IRJ|access-date=10 October 2021}} Another subsidiary, LTG Infra, is responsible for the maintenance and development of the infrastructure.

Main lines:

• Vilnius—Kaunas, {{convert|104|km|abbr=on}}, first built in 1862, electrified in 1975. The fastest train takes 69 minutes, but following the Rail Baltica project completion, the travel time will be reduced to 38 minutes.
• Vilnius—Klaipėda, {{convert|376|km|abbr=on}}, part of the line first built in 1870, electrification currently in progress.{{cite web|title=Trumpės kelionė iš Vilniaus į Klaipėdą|url=https://www.tv3.lt/naujiena/lietuva/trumpes-kelione-is-vilniaus-i-klaipeda-n985239|date=6 January 2019|website=TV3.lt|access-date=10 October 2021|language=lt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019192756/https://www.tv3.lt/naujiena/lietuva/trumpes-kelione-is-vilniaus-i-klaipeda-n985239|archive-date=19 October 2021|url-status=live}}

International lines:

• Vilnius—Riga, {{convert|348|km|abbr=on}}, available since late 2023 and takes 4 hours 15 minutes.{{cite web|title=Vilnius-Riga train – what you need to know|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2128726/vilnius-riga-train-what-you-need-to-know|date=20 November 2023|access-date=28 December 2023|website=LRT}}
• Vilnius—Warsaw—Krakow, available since late 2022. Indirect route due to change of gauge at Polish border, transfer from LTG Link train to PKP Intercity at Mockava. Vilnius—Warsaw travel time around 9 hours.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-25 |title=Lithuania to launch train service to Poland |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1829985/lithuania-to-launch-train-service-to-poland |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=lrt.lt |language=en}}

Vilnius—Riga—Tallinn passenger train route is technically possible, but currently not practical due to limited speeds and long travel times.{{cite web|title=Taliną traukiniu iš Vilniaus būtų galima pasiekti ir iki nutiesiant "Rail Balticą", bet reikia susitarti|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/eismas/7/1502166/talina-traukiniu-is-vilniaus-butu-galima-pasiekti-ir-iki-nutiesiant-rail-baltica-bet-reikia-susitarti|date=23 September 2021|website=LRT|access-date=16 October 2021|language=lt}} These routes will start following the completion of the Rail Baltica project.

The old fleet of passenger trains included the ER9M electric train; D1, DR1A/DR1AM and AR2 diesel multiple units; TEP60/TEP70/TEP70BS and M62/2M62/2M62U diesel locomotives.{{cite web|title=Lokomotyvų M62, TEM2, ČME-3, M62K, ČME3MG,ER20CF, ČME3ME, 2M62M, TEM TMH ir lokomotyvų brigadų naudojimas ūkiniams darbams atlikti|url=https://www.litrail.lt/visas-turinys/-/asset_publisher/j75txWV0CuNk/content/lokomotyvu-m62-tem2-cme-3-m62k-cme3mg-er20cf-cme3me-2m62m-tem-tmh-ir-lokomotyvu-brigadu-naudojimas-ukiniams-darbams-atlikti-/10291|website=Lietuvos Geležinkeliai|access-date=15 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015193525/https://www.litrail.lt/visas-turinys/-/asset_publisher/j75txWV0CuNk/content/lokomotyvu-m62-tem2-cme-3-m62k-cme3mg-er20cf-cme3me-2m62m-tem-tmh-ir-lokomotyvu-brigadu-naudojimas-ukiniams-darbams-atlikti-/10291|archive-date=15 October 2021|language=lt|url-status=live}} Some are still in service, but the vast majority are retired.

{{As of|2021}}, the main passenger train models include Škoda EJ575 (electric) and diesel Pesa 620M/630M/730ML as well as some RA2 trains. A public procurement was launched in 2021 to replace all diesel passenger trains with a fleet of new electric trains. In 2023, LTG Link signed a contract with the Swiss Stadler Rail company for a delivery of 15 new Stadler FLIRT electric and battery-electric trains.{{cite web |date=22 June 2023 |title=Stadler to roll out FLIRT in Lithuania |url=https://www.railway-technology.com/contract-news/stadler-to-roll-out-flirt-in-lithuania/ |access-date=22 June 2023 |website=Railway Technology}} The contract also provides an option for another 39 trains.

File:ER20CF.jpgCF locomotive operated by LTG Cargo]]

{{As of|2021}}, Lithuania has three intermodal terminals:{{cite web|title=This is where 2020 has got Lithuania on the international railway map|url=https://www.railfreight.com/beltandroad/2021/01/08/this-where-2020-has-got-lithuania-on-the-international-railway-map/|date=8 January 2021|website=Rail Freight|access-date=16 October 2021}}

• Kaunas Intermodal Terminal with annual capacity of 102,000 TEU and dual gauge railway;
• Vilnius Intermodal Terminal, 102,000 TEU, broad gauge railway only;
• Šeštokai Intermodal Terminal, 25,000 TEU, dual gauge.

LTG Cargo company provides freight transportation corridors for or between the following regions:

• Western/Northern Europe and Lithuania, primarily Kaunas Intermodal Terminal.{{cite web|title=Semi-trailer transportation|url=https://cargo.litrail.lt/en/puspriekabiu-pervezimai|website=LTG Cargo|access-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016202809/https://cargo.litrail.lt/en/puspriekabiu-pervezimai|archive-date=16 October 2021|url-status=live}} Currently, there are regular Kaunas–Tilburg (Netherlands) and Kaunas–Kaldenkirchen (Germany) freight trains.{{cite web|title=First train from Tilburg inaugurates Kaunas Intermodal Terminal|url=https://www.railfreight.com/railfreight/2021/07/20/first-train-from-tilburg-inaugurates-kaunas-intermodal-terminal/|date=20 July 2021|website=Rail Freight|access-date=16 October 2021}}{{cite web|title=Rolling highway from Germany to Lithuania a new success for modal shift|url=https://www.railfreight.com/intermodal/2020/05/20/rolling-highway-from-germany-to-lithuania-a-new-success-for-modal-shift/|date=20 May 2020|website=Rail Freight|access-date=16 October 2021}}
• All three Baltic states with a corridor from/to Poland. "Amber Train" project currently provides Kaunas–Riga–Tallinn (Muuga) service.{{cite web|title=Amber Train|url=https://cargo.litrail.lt/en/amber-train|website=LTG Cargo|access-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019083643/https://cargo.litrail.lt/en/amber-train|archive-date=19 October 2021|url-status=live}} LTG Cargo Polska (subsidiary in Poland) offers transportation from Šeštokai near the Polish border.{{cite web|title=Skuodis: Lithuania supports Poland's objective to include the Via Carpathia route in the Trans-European Transport Network|url=https://www.delfi.lt/en/politics/skuodis-lithuania-supports-polands-objective-to-include-the-via-carpathia-route-in-the-trans-european-transport-network.d?id=86589863|date=1 March 2021|website=Delfi|access-date=16 October 2021}}
• The Baltic Sea region (primarily Scandinavia) and the Black Sea region, primarily Turkey and Caucasus, via Ukraine.{{cite web|title=New container train between Baltic and Black Sea|url=https://www.railfreight.com/intermodal/2019/06/03/new-container-train-between-ports-of-baltic-and-black-sea/|date=3 June 2019|website=Rail Freight|access-date=16 October 2021}}{{cite web|title=Viking Train|url=https://cargo.litrail.lt/en/viking-train|website=LTG Cargo|access-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019170241/https://cargo.litrail.lt/en/viking-train|archive-date=19 October 2021|url-status=live}} "Viking Train" and "Baltic Ukraine Shuttle" are the international projects which enable Klaipėda–Minsk–Kyiv–Odesa transportation corridor between the Port of Klaipėda and the Port of Odesa.{{cite web|title=Lithuania-Ukraine seal rail cooperation|url=https://www.railfreight.com/railfreight/2021/03/22/lithuania-ukraine-seal-rail-cooperation/|date=22 March 2021|website=Rail Freight|access-date=16 October 2021}}
• The EU market, as Lithuania is a member, and China via the CIS countries. Lithuania aims to expand its involvement in the New Silk Road and become one of the transport hubs. However, due to strained political relations, the expansion remains uncertain.{{cite web|title=China halts rail freight to Lithuania as feud deepens over Taiwan|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3145520/china-halts-rail-freight-lithuania-feud-deepens-over-taiwan|date=18 August 2021|website=South China Morning Post|access-date=16 October 2021}}

LTG Cargo primarily uses Siemens ER20 "Eurorunner" locomotives for the freight trains.{{Cite web |url=http://www.siemens.pl/upload/images/TS-ER20%20CF.pdf |title=Diesel-electric freight locomotive Eurorunner ER20 CF for Lithuanian Railways (LG) |access-date=23 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031173452/http://www.siemens.pl/upload/images/TS-ER20%20CF.pdf |archive-date=31 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}

File:Lyduvėnų_tiltas.jpg is the longest and the highest railway bridge in Lithuania and the Baltic states]]

File:Railway_Bridge_in_Kaunas.jpg]]

{{As of|2021}}, there is a total of {{convert|1910|km|abbr=on}} of railways:{{cite web|title=Viešosios geležinkelių infrastruktūros 2021–2022 metų tarnybinio traukinių tvarkaraščio tinklo nuostatai|url=https://ltginfra.lt/documents/12778/114099/2021_2022m._TTT_Infrastrukturos_tinklo_nuostatai2_2021_05_21.pdf|date=2020|website=LTG Infra |access-date=11 October 2021|language=lt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011151515/https://ltginfra.lt/documents/12778/114099/2021_2022m._TTT_Infrastrukturos_tinklo_nuostatai2_2021_05_21.pdf|archive-date=11 October 2021|url-status=live}}

• Single-track — {{convert|1448|km}} (of which {{convert|150|km}} electrified)
• Double-track — {{convert|459|km}} (of which {{convert|5|km}} electrified)
• Triple-track — {{convert|2|km}}
• Total electrified — {{convert|156|km}}

Length by track gauge:

• {{RailGauge|1520mm}} broad gauge — {{convert|1790|km}}
• {{RailGauge|1435mm}} standard gauge — {{convert|123|km}}
• {{RailGauge|750mm}} narrow gauge — {{convert|68.4|km}}

Line between Mockava and Šeštokai uses dual gauge supporting both the broad and standard gauge.

Lithuania uses 25 kV 50 Hz AC for the electrified railway lines.{{cite web|title=Analysis of Determinative Parameters for Maintaining the Technical and operational compatibility of 1520 mm and 1435 mm gauge railway systems at the CIS-EU border|url=https://www.era.europa.eu/sites/default/files/agency/docs/analysis_1520_ene_en.pdf|date=2010|website=EU Agency for Railways|access-date=10 October 2021}} This will remain compatible with the technical requirements for the Rail Baltica high-speed rail. The electrification was first implemented in 1975 for the Vilnius–Kaunas line. This was followed by the electrification of Vilnius–Naujoji Vilnia, Vilnius–Trakai lines and, since 2017, Vilnius–Minsk line.{{cite web|title=Oficialiai atidarytas elektrifikuotas geležinkelio ruožas Minskas – Vilnius|url=https://urm.lt/by/lt/naujienos/oficialiai-atidarytas-elektrifikuotas-gelezinkelio-ruozas-minskasvilnius|date=18 September 2017|website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs|access-date=10 October 2021|language=lt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019105740/https://urm.lt/by/lt/naujienos/oficialiai-atidarytas-elektrifikuotas-gelezinkelio-ruozas-minskasvilnius|archive-date=19 October 2021|url-status=live}}

{{As of|2021}}, only 10% of the railways in Lithuania are electrified, but major electrification projects are in progress with the intention of achieving 50%.{{cite web|title=Lietuvos geležinkelių ateitis: elektrifikacija ties "Rail Baltica" ir ruožu Vilnius–Klaipėda nesibaigs|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/eismas/7/1324612/lietuvos-gelezinkeliu-ateitis-elektrifikacija-ties-rail-baltica-ir-ruozu-vilnius-klaipeda-nesibaigs|date=19 January 2021|website=LRT|access-date=10 October 2021|language=lt}} In 2019, a joint consortium of Spanish companies Elecnor and Abengoa was awarded a contract to carry out electrification of {{convert|730|km|mi|abbr=on}} of railway.{{cite web|title=Lithuanian railway network awards Elecnor one of its strategic projects|url=https://www.elecnor.com/news/elecnor-se-adjudica-uno-de-los-proyectos-estrategicos-de-la-red-ferroviaria-en-lituania-en|date=20 December 2019|website=Elecnor|access-date=10 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225161833/https://www.elecnor.com/news/elecnor-se-adjudica-uno-de-los-proyectos-estrategicos-de-la-red-ferroviaria-en-lituania-en|archive-date=25 December 2019|url-status=live}} In October 2022, a contract was awarded to ABB to supply 25kV AC electrification system.{{cite web |url = https://www.railjournal.com/infrastructure/lithuanian-railways-signs-electrification-contract/ |title = Vilnius - Klaipeda electrification contract signed |publisher = International Railway Journal |date = 21 October 2022 |first = Simon |last = Artymiuk}} It primarily includes the electrification of the Vilnius–Klaipėda line and a bypass rail around Vilnius. In 2020, LTG set itself a long-term goal of achieving zero {{CO2}} emissions by 2030. In 2021, LTG Link announced the public procurement to acquire 30 electric trains in order to replace the existing diesel fleet.{{cite web|title=LTG Link to acquire 30 new electric trains|url=https://www.railjournal.com/fleet/ltg-link-to-acquire-30-new-electric-trains/|date=5 January 2021|website=IRJ|access-date=10 October 2021}} In June 2023, LTG Link ordered 15 FLIRT multiple-units and plans to procure up to 13 additional Flirt inter-city EMUs, 15 battery-electric Flirt trains with a 100km range and 11 battery-electric Flirt multiple-units with a 70km range.{{Cite web |last=Briginshaw |first=David |date=2023-06-21 |title=Stadler wins its first train order in Lithuania |url=https://www.railjournal.com/fleet/stadler-wins-its-first-train-order-in-lithuania/ |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=International Railway Journal |language=en-GB}}

{{See also|Narrow gauge railways in Lithuania|Aukštaitija narrow gauge railway}}

File:Narrow_gauge_railway_-_Anykščiai_railway_station_(1)_(http-www.siaurukas.eu-)_-_panoramio.jpg on the narrow gauge track in Anykščiai]]

Lithuania has a narrow gauge line of {{RailGauge|750mm}} first constructed in 1891.{{cite web|title=Siaurukas :: Istorija|url=https://siaurukas.eu/istorija|date=9 July 2021|website=Siaurukas|access-date=10 October 2021|language=lt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720074050/https://siaurukas.eu/istorija|archive-date=20 July 2021|url-status=live}} It was built as a cheaper alternative to the wider gauge railway. In 1996, the narrow gauge railway was declared a heritage railway and, in 2003, the Panevėžys–Anykščiai–Rubikiai line was included into the national list of preserved cultural heritages.{{cite web|title=Siaurojo geležinkelio muziejus Anykščiuose|url=https://www.museums.lt/Zurnalas/Siaurukas_Anyksciuose.htm|date=2003|website=Lietuvos muziejų asociacija|access-date=14 October 2021|language=lt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122063630/https://www.museums.lt/Zurnalas/Siaurukas_Anyksciuose.htm|archive-date=22 January 2020|url-status=live}} The total length of the preserved railway is {{convert|179|km|mi|abbr=on}}. Today, the active part of the railway is {{convert|68.4|km|mi|abbr=on}}, making it one of the longest narrow gauge lines in Europe.{{cite web|title=Railway Transport :: About the Sector|url=https://sumin.lrv.lt/en/sector-activities/railway-transport-1/about-the-sector-1|access-date=2 October 2021|language=lt|publisher=Ministry of Transport and Communications of Lithuania |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002201000/https://sumin.lrv.lt/en/sector-activities/railway-transport-1/about-the-sector-1|archive-date=2 October 2021|url-status=live}}

In 2001, Aukštaitija narrow gauge railway was established as a separate company (independent from the Lithuanian Railways) to manage the narrow gauge railway. It primarily runs services for tourism and entertainment. It operates tourist trains ran by the TU2 diesel locomotives.{{cite web|title=Netrukus į pirmą kelionę išriedės atnaujintas siaurukas|url=https://www.delfi.lt/kultura/naujienos/netrukus-i-pirma-kelione-isriedes-atnaujintas-siaurukas.d?id=15616907|date=15 January 2008|website=Delfi|access-date=14 October 2021|language=lt}}

{{See also|Rail Baltica}}

Rail Baltica is an ongoing greenfield railway infrastructure project which will link all Baltic States, including Lithuania, Poland and, eventually, Finland. Being a part of the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T), it is one of the priority projects of the European Union.{{cite web|title=Rail Baltica – Project of the Century|url=https://www.railbaltica.org/about-rail-baltica/|website=Rail Baltica|access-date=15 October 2021}} It will introduce standard-gauge high-speed rail with an operating speed of 249 km/h for passenger trains. As of 2023, the Rail Baltica project completion is scheduled for 2030, with a start of services on some of the sections in 2028.[https://www.railbaltica.org/about-rail-baltica/ Rail Baltica – Project of the Century"] on the Rai Baltica official website, accessed on 26 April 2023.

In Lithuania, {{convert|392|km|mi|abbr=on}} of new track will be constructed, including the reconstruction of the Vilnius–Kaunas Railway to support standard gauge.{{cite web|title=Europinis geležinkelis "Rail Baltica" – reikšmė Lietuvai ir regionui|url=https://www.vz.lt/tvarus-verslas/2021/03/03/europinis-gelezinkelis-rail-baltica--reiksme-lietuvai-ir-regionui|date=3 March 2021|access-date=4 October 2021|website=Verslo Žinios|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316144452/https://www.vz.lt/tvarus-verslas/2021/03/03/europinis-gelezinkelis-rail-baltica--reiksme-lietuvai-ir-regionui|archive-date=16 March 2021|url-status=live}} High speed rail will reduce the Vilnius—Kaunas route time to 38 minutes.{{cite web|title=Bendra informacija apie projektą|url=https://www.rail-baltica.lt/bendra-informacija-apie-projekta/|language=lt|website=Rail Baltica|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129155821/https://www.rail-baltica.lt/bendra-informacija-apie-projekta/|archive-date=29 January 2021|access-date=4 October 2021|url-status=dead}} At project completion, the following routes will become available or faster (with projected travel times):

• Vilnius—Warsaw (4:07)
• Vilnius—Riga (1:54, while currently it is 4:15)
• Vilnius—Tallinn (3:38)

{{As of|2021}}, the project is in progress with major construction ongoing in Lithuania. The standard gauge line between the Polish border and Kaunas has been built, with freight services already operating between Germany and Kaunas Intermodal Terminal as well as passenger train service between Kaunas and Białystok. The construction works for the line between Kaunas and the Latvian border are expected to begin in 2021.

File:RB_infografiki_Karte_EN.jpg|Map of Rail Baltica with the main stations

File:Rail_Baltica_Lietuva.jpg|Dual gauge track between Mockava and Šeštokai

File:Rokai,_geležinkelis.JPG|Rail Baltica track in Rokai (Kaunas district)

{{Expand section|date=September 2024}}

A 2022 European Union proposal is for all new rail lines to be Standard Gauge and a rolling plan introduced to convert other gauges to European standard gauge.{{cite web |title=Estonian Railways CEO estimates switch to standard gauge would cost €8.7bn |url=https://www.railjournal.com/infrastructure/estonian-railways-ceo-estimates-switch-to-standard-gauge-would-cost-e8-7bn/ |date=8 September 2022}}

• {{flagicon|Latvia}} — Latvia, same gauge (1520 mm)
• {{flagicon|Poland}} — Poland, dual gauge (1435 mm and 1520 mm)
• {{flagicon|Belarus}} — Belarus, same gauge (1520 mm)
• {{flagicon|Russia}} — Kaliningrad Railway with Russia, same gauge (1520 mm)

File:730ML-005_(33869202391).jpg|Pesa 730M train operated by LTG

File:LTG-Link-Vilnius-Kaunas-EJ575-outside-Sep-2021.jpg|LTG Link service Vilnius–Kaunas

File:06.05.18_Klaipėda_730ML-002%2B730ML-006_(41405812854).jpg|Train in Klaipėda railway station

File:EJ575-007, Литва, Вильнюсский уезд, станция Лянтварис (Trainpix 113966) (cropped).jpg|Škoda EJ575-007 train

File:RAILWAY STATION AT VILLINUS AIRPORT ORO UOSTAS LITHUANIA SEP 2013 (9904349315).jpg|Train station at Vilnius Airport

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• Transport in Lithuania
• Rail Baltica
• Vilnius Metro
• Vilnius Intermodal Terminal
• Kaunas Intermodal Terminal
• Railway stations in Lithuania
• {{portal-inline|Lithuania}}
• {{portal-inline|Trains}}
• {{portal-inline|Transport}}

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{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Rail transport in Lithuania}}

• [http://www.litrail.lt/en/home Lithuanian Railways website]

{{Rail transport in Europe}}

{{Lithuania topics}}

Category:Rail transport in Europe

Category:Transport and the European Union