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The Construction of Pskov-Riga Railway in the late 19th Century Russian Empire

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In 1886, the Russian Ministry of War initiated the construction of the Pskov-Riga Railway with its branch line from Valga to Tartu. There are several buildings designed following standard plans, and therefore they look indistinguishable from one another. Railway construction was completed, and transportation began in 1889. The largest junction of the line was in Valga, where the main depot and workshops were also situated.

These historical photos show the construction of the Pskov-Riga (Russian Empire) Railway in the late 19th century. Photographers Hugo Hoffers and Peter Sohnwald captured these photographs, and they both also worked in Tartu and Riga.

#1 Railway bridge over the Velikaya River (Riga Bridge), construction of the pillars, August 26, 1886

Railway bridge over the Velikaya River (Riga Bridge), construction of the pillars, August 26, 1886

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#2 Railway bridge over the Laatre River, September 25, 1887

Railway bridge over the Laatre River, September 25, 1887

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#3 Railway bridge over the Rauna River, after the end of construction, September 24, 1887

Railway bridge over the Rauna River, after the end of construction, September 24, 1887

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#4 Railway bridge over the Rauna River, construction of the pillars, 1887

Railway bridge over the Rauna River, construction of the pillars, 1887

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#5 Railway bridge over the Väike Emajõgi River during construction, September 1, 1887

Railway bridge over the Väike Emajõgi River during construction, September 1, 1887

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#6 Railway bridge over the Väike Emajõgi River, construction of the deck, September 25, 1887

Railway bridge over the Väike Emajõgi River, construction of the deck, September 25, 1887

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#7 Railway bridge over the Velikaya River (Riga Bridge), construction of the deck, July 21, 1888

Railway bridge over the Velikaya River (Riga Bridge), construction of the deck, July 21, 1888

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#9 Čiekurkalns (Marshalling Yard) train station in Riga, June 12, 1889

Čiekurkalns (Marshalling Yard) train station in Riga, June 12, 1889

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#10 House of the railway guard by Strenči, August 18, 1889

House of the railway guard by Strenči, August 18, 1889

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#11 Overpass over the railroad by the Līgatne train station, September 12, 1889

Overpass over the railroad by the Līgatne train station, September 12, 1889

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#13 Pumping station at the Cēsis train station, August 5, 1889

Pumping station at the Cēsis train station, August 5, 1889

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#14 Pumping station at the Sangaste train station, June 3, 1889

Pumping station at the Sangaste train station, June 3, 1889

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#15 Railroad overpass over the Riia Street in Tartu, November 23, 1889

Railroad overpass over the Riia Street in Tartu, November 23, 1889

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#17 Railroad tracks through the Lasva Wetlands, June 15, 1889

Railroad tracks through the Lasva Wetlands, June 15, 1889

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#18 Railroad tracks through the Vastseliina Wetlands, June 15, 1889

Railroad tracks through the Vastseliina Wetlands, June 15, 1889

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#19 Railway bridge over the Amata River, June 20, 1889

Railway bridge over the Amata River, June 20, 1889

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#20 Railway bridge over the Ärnu River, November 4, 1889

Railway bridge over the Ärnu River, November 4, 1889

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#21 Railway bridge over the Elva River, June 15, 1889

Railway bridge over the Elva River, June 15, 1889

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#22 Railway bridge over the Gauja River, August 12, 1889

Railway bridge over the Gauja River, August 12, 1889

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#23 Railway bridge over the Jugla River, June 12, 1889

Railway bridge over the Jugla River, June 12, 1889

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#24 Railway bridge over the Väike Emajõgi River, after the end of construction, June 3, 1889

Railway bridge over the Väike Emajõgi River, after the end of construction, June 3, 1889

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#25 Railway bridge over the Velikaya River (Riga Bridge), front view after the end of construction, May 26, 1889

Railway bridge over the Velikaya River (Riga Bridge), front view after the end of construction, May 26, 1889

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#26 Railway bridge over the Velikaya River (Riga Bridge), side view after the end of construction, May 26, 1889

Railway bridge over the Velikaya River (Riga Bridge), side view after the end of construction, May 26, 1889

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#28 Railway culvert over the Līgatne River, June 12, 1889

Railway culvert over the Līgatne River, June 12, 1889

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#29 Railway culvert over the Lorupe River, September 14, 1889

Railway culvert over the Lorupe River, September 14, 1889

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#30 Tartu train station, street side view, July 23, 1889

Tartu train station, street side view, July 23, 1889

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#31 The large railroad workers house by Ieriķi, June 13, 1889

The large railroad workers house by Ieriķi, June 13, 1889

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#32 The small railroad workers house by the Ozol tavern (Ozolkrogs), September 12, 1889

The small railroad workers house by the Ozol tavern (Ozolkrogs), September 12, 1889

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#33 Valga train station, street side view, August 14, 1889

Valga train station, street side view, August 14, 1889

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#34 Water tower at the Cēsis train station, August 4, 1889

Water tower at the Cēsis train station, August 4, 1889

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#35 Water tower at the Elva train station, June 15, 1889

Water tower at the Elva train station, June 15, 1889

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#36 Water tower at the Võru train station, June 25, 1889

Water tower at the Võru train station, June 25, 1889

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#37 Zemitāni (Alexander Gate) train station in Riga, June 12, 1889

Zemitāni (Alexander Gate) train station in Riga, June 12, 1889

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#39 Locomotive depot at the Čiekurkalns (Marshalling Yard) train station in Riga, June 12, 1890

Locomotive depot at the Čiekurkalns (Marshalling Yard) train station in Riga, June 12, 1890

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#40 Main depot of the Pskov-Riga Railway in Valga, April 30, 1890

Main depot of the Pskov-Riga Railway in Valga, April 30, 1890

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#42 Railroad tracks through the Rauna Ravine, September 17, 1890

Railroad tracks through the Rauna Ravine, September 17, 1890

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#43 Railway bridge over the Abuls River, May 29, 1890

Railway bridge over the Abuls River, May 29, 1890

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#44 Railway bridge over the Piusa River, June 16, 1890

Railway bridge over the Piusa River, June 16, 1890

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#45 Railway bridge over the Tuderna Creek, June 16, 1890

Railway bridge over the Tuderna Creek, June 16, 1890

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#46 Valga train station, rail side view, August 30, 1890

Valga train station, rail side view, August 30, 1890

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#49 Workshops of the Pskov-Riga Railway in Valga, April 30, 1890

Workshops of the Pskov-Riga Railway in Valga, April 30, 1890

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