and 42 passengers. Starting from 1856, imported locomotives were supplemented by local ones, produced on a factory managed by Maximilian de Beauharnais, 3rd Duke of Leuchtenberg. Legacy The Tsarskoye Selo Railway had a short length, very limited capacity, and nearly no industrial value – it was mainly transporting nobles for sightseeing in Tsarskoye Selo and festivities in Pavlovsk. Yet it was regarded as an important step in the development of a rail network in Russia. In particular, experience demonstrated the drawbacks of the rail spacing, and the following rail networks used the more standard gauge tracks. In the 1840–50s, the Tsarskoye Selo Railway was actively used for training of railroad personnel and various locomotive and railroad tests. The opening of the Tsarskoye Selo Railway in 1837 was an extremely popular event, reflected in the news and in handicrafts and theater performances in Russia. A copper medal ( diameter) was minted to commemorate the opening of the railway. Its obverse featured PeterI, Minerva and NicholasI, as well as the text "The first railroad from St. Petersburg to Pavlovsk was opened on 30 October 1837. NicholasI, the follower of PeterI, introduced railways to Russia". The reverse pictured a steam locomotive and read "The founders of the first railway Count Alexander Bobrinsky, Benedict Kramer and I. K. Plitt. The builder of the railway was Franz Gerstner, born Czech and cognate to Russians". Several hundred medals were minted to be distributed at the opening of the railway, but for unknown reasons NicholasI did not approve. See also History of rail transport in Russia Russian Railway Museum References 6 ft gauge railways in Russia 1837 establishments in the Russian Empire Railway lines in Russia Railway lines opened in 1837