 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2021) |
| Connecting Line / Putilovskaya Line | |
|---|---|
 The Connecting Line at a 1870s map (horizontal curved, connecting vertical straight) | |
| Overview | |
| Native name | Соединительная ветвь / Путиловская ветвь |
| History | |
| Opened | 1854 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 4.73 km as Connecting, 16 km as Putilovskaya |
| Track gauge | Russian gauge (1524 mm, later 1520 mm) |
The Connecting Line (Russian: Соединительная ветвь, romanized: Soyedinitel'naya vetv') is a historical railway line in the southern part of Saint Petersburg, Russia, that may be considered the initial step in the process of forming a unified Russian railway network. It was constructed in 1853 and started operation in 1854. Before that, Russian railways consisted only of several separate lines connecting a few major cities. Decades later, in the first half of the 20th century, the line was merged with the later-built neighboring Putilovskaya Line (Путиловская ветвь), also known as the Port Line (Портовая ветвь), and was lengthened to the city's northern territories forming the so-called Northern Semi-Ring (Северное полукольцо) and the consequent massive Saint Petersburg railway hub.