Abstract
<jats:p>The article examines the process of transformation of social policy railway transport of Russia during the First World War. In the course of the work, based on archival data, many of which are being introduced into scientific circulation for the first time, the historical context of the era was considered, the process of developing key provisions of transformations carried out in the social sphere and their implementation was studied - thereby the integral historical period of their preparation and implementation was studied. The main patterns are traced and the factors of sustainable work of social institutions in transport in the most difficult, crisis periods of history are emphasized. Thus, a healthy basis for their functioning is revealed, which can be used at the present time. As a result of the study, a conclusion was drawn about the contradictory nature of transformations in the social sphere - on the one hand, innovations were aimed at improving the quality of life and working conditions of railway workers, as well as creating an atmosphere of their social security, on the other - all the measures put into practice were implemented in a very short time in extreme wartime conditions. The latter, combined with a number of constraining factors, such as the antiquity of the legislative framework, increased inflation, and so on, reduced the effectiveness of the ongoing reforms.</jats:p>