Various narrow gauge military and industrial railways appeared in Albania from the early years of the 20th century, but none of these remains operational. The present day standard gauge system dates mainly from the period immediately following the Second World War. From the late 20th century the network suffered extensive degradation during periods of internal unrest and continued poor state of the economy, but repairs and even extensions are gradually being put in hand.
Freight and passenger services are operated by the State railway company. The Albanian network is connected with the rest of Europe by a freight-only link with neighbouring Montenegro.
