Rail transport in Romania goes back to the Austrian Empire, when in 1857 the line between Timișoara and Szeged (now Hungary) opened.

Push-pull operations on the electrified standard gauge lines are often carried out using locomotives of the Electroputere LE5100 family (or CFR Class 47).

Early transfers to these companies included Zărnești–Brașov, Brașov–Întorsura Buzăului, Sfântu Gheorghe–Brețcu, Sighișoara–Odorheiu Secuiesc, Șibot–Cugir, Blaj–Praid, Galați–Bârlad, Buzău–Nehoiașu, Iași–Dorohoi, Timișoara Nord–Nerău, Satu Mare–Bixad, Arad–Nădlac, Bistrița Bârgăului–Bistrița Nord–Luduș, Arad–Brad, Roșiori Nord–Piatra Olt and many others lines.

Twenty-eight private companies, including Petromidia and Servtrans, operate freight transport services on main lines with their own rolling stock, leasing usage rights from CFR.

September 2014 saw the publication of the government report Master Plan General de Transport al României.

In addition the report has costed major improvements to the long-distance network considerably to reduce journey times.