Railways worldwide are currently faced with the challenge of adapting to significant socio-economic changes. Restructuring of railway companies is high on the agenda. This seminar organised by UIC provided the opportunity to exchange experiences relating to the difficulties involved in railway reform (Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Malaysia, India, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Germany, Sweden, France, Belgium, Poland, the Czech Republic), implications for personnel and the role of the state in setting tariffs.