From the experience of komsomol steam locomotives at the Kursk railway junction in the 1930-1950s

Relevance. The historical experience of youth participation in the restoration of war-torn enterprises is quite fully reflected in the scientific literature. However, certain aspects of the implementation of youth initiatives in transport, taking into account regional specifics, remain poorly studied. An objective analysis of the activities of locomotive crews of the Kursk railway junction, working on Komsomol steam locomotives in the 1940-1950s, allows us to reveal innovative approaches in the professional activities of the crews of the Komsomol steam locomotive EU 712-14, led by front-line soldiers I.A. Gladilin and I.A. Staroseltsev, which can be successfully used in modern conditions when organizing production processes on the country's railways. The purpose of the study is to comprehensively examine, based on newly identified documentary sources, the best practices of the production activities of young Kursk engineers. Objectives : to reveal the specifics of the work of young railway workers on the restoration of the main lines of the Kursk region in the period under review, to reflect the connection of their combat biographies with successes in their work. Methodology . As a methodological basis, the authors focused on the principles of objectivity and historicism. In order to solve the problems, historical-systemic, biographical and retrospective methods were used. Results. A comprehensive study based on archival and printed sources allowed us to create a clear idea of the role of the Kursk junction youth in the use of advanced technologies and efficient production methods during operational work at the Kursk branch of the Moscow-Kursk Railway in the 1930s-1950s. Conclusions . The labor traditions of driving Komsomol steam locomotives, which originated at the Kursk railway junction in the mid-1930s, were widely developed in the post-war period. This contributed to the increased activity of young locomotive drivers, who ensured the accelerated restoration of the locomotive economy and the improvement of the locomotive fleet. During the years of post-war restoration of railway enterprises, an important role was played by the conscientious and creative attitude of young people to their job responsibilities.