130 years of trams: a photo exhibition opened in Nizhny Novgorod

      In Nizhny Novgorod, a photo exhibition titled "On the Rails of Time. The Nizhny Novgorod Tram is 130 Years Old" (0+), has opened. The exhibition, dedicated to the 130th anniversary of the launch of tram services in the city, is located at the intersection of Bolshaya Pokrovskaya and Piskunov Streets. The project is organized by LLC "Ecological Projects" and the Russian Museum of Photography.

      The opening ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region Sergey Morozov, the head of LLC "Ecological Projects" Evgeny Grabovsky, and the director of the Russian Museum of Photography Ksenia Fedoseeva-Tsaritsyna.

      Regular electric tram services were launched in Nizhny Novgorod in May 1896, making it the first in the Russian Empire among cities located on the territory of modern Russia. The opening was timed to coincide with the XVI All-Russian Industrial and Art Exhibition held at the fair. This event marked the beginning of the era of domestic tram transport.

      According to Sergey Morozov, the launch of tram services was the starting point for transforming Nizhny Novgorod from a merchant center into an industrial city. He emphasized that the development of the tram network remains one of the priorities of the region's transport policy. A comprehensive approach to the development of electric transport is being implemented in the region, from electric buses and trams to the metro and cable cars, all integrated into a single system.

      To date, we have built more than 112 km of tram tracks. We have purchased 170 modern "MiNin" trams, which are also produced here in Nizhny Novgorod Region. Without false modesty, it can be said that this is the most extensive development program among non-capital regions! — noted Sergey Morozov.

      The exhibition introduces visitors to the history of the Nizhny Novgorod tram over more than a century. As Evgeny Grabovsky noted, the tram remains one of the city's hallmarks and continues to develop actively. The city is reconstructing lines, depots, and traction substations, and updating rolling stock. According to him, the modernization of infrastructure is combined with the preservation of historical traditions.

      The exhibition features more than 70 photographs from the collections of the Russian Museum of Photography, personal archives of employees of LLC "Ecological Projects," as well as works by contemporary authors. The exhibition is divided into several thematic blocks: the establishment of tram services since 1896 in the works of Andrei Karelin and Maxim Dmitriev, the Soviet period reflected in the photographs of Kapelyush, Borodin, Izvolenko, and Mozzhukhin, as well as modern photographs.

      "For us, it is very important to participate in significant urban projects and showcase unique museum materials — works by great photography masters that we carefully preserve," emphasized Ksenia Fedoseeva-Tsaritsyna.

      According to her, the tram is not only a technical achievement of its time but also a symbol of Nizhny Novgorod, inspiring photographers for decades. The exhibition will run until June 24. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.