The construction of Moscow–Smolensk railway was approved by Alexander II On December 15, 1868.

In 1870–1871, the Smolensk-Brest railway was built, and this section was opened on November 16, 1871.

Electrification began in 1941 and by 1973 between Moscow and Vyazma was electrified at 3,000 V direct current.

In 1979 ahead of the Moscow Olympic Games the rest of the Vyazma–Brest was electrified at 50 Hz 25,000 V. Moscow (Belorussky) - Vyazma - Smolensk - Orsha - Minsk - Stoŭbcy - Baranovichi - Brest The Moscow–Brest Railway plays a role in the novel Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak.

[1] This Russian rail transport related article is a stub.