The article highlights the process of creation and functioning of the Institute of Transport Mechanics of the All-Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (1934–1937). The socio-cultural factors that led to the establishment of the Cabinet of Transport Mechanics, and later of the Institute itself, are described. The areas of activity of the Institute, which in three years managed to solve a number of problems of railway transport, are analyzed. It is noted that academician P. M. Suprunenko and his students contributed to the success of the Institute. The reasons that led to the arrest of most scientific employees and engineers of railway transport in 1937–1938, as well as the actual arrest and execution of P. M. Suprunenko in 1938, were revealed.

In addition, the activity of the scientist in the field of improving the rolling stock operation was analyzed and it was noted that these developments were successfully used during the Second World War. These included: 1) research of finite oscillations of steam locomotives under resonance conditions; 2) setting the transmission coefficients of steam locomotive water heaters under conditions of high pressure; 3) the theory of oscillations of the last car in the train and their influence on the rails; 4) study of movement resistance in conditions of low temperatures; 5) finding out the friction coefficients of wheels and rails in different conditions; 6) experimental verification of the laws of oscillations of locomotives in the locomotive dynamics laboratory; 7) experimental verification of the laws of oscillations in the longitudinal direction of complex train systems; 8) finding the most expedient method of using waste heat gases and steam in locomotives; 9) working out the issues of the theory of train schedules and the cost of transportation; 10) working out questions about burning low-grade fuel; 11) methodological problems of transport mechanics.

Scientists of the Institute have published many scientific monographs, textbooks, methodical manuals, which were widely used for teaching students in the country's universities. Many of their methods, theoretical provisions and practical recommendations were used in the national economy, in the field of railway and water transport, bringing a significant economic effect. Complicated complex problems of railway transport related to the most important technical elements of the rolling stock, track and operating conditions were solved.

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