The authors consider the legislative and economic prerequisites for the need to ensure the economic security of Ukraine's railway transport in the context of national security. The research methodology is composed of such methods as a theoretical generalization for further clarification of the conceptual apparatus of railway transport economic security, a legalistic method for analysis and systematization of legal bases in the field of Ukraine's national security, an abstract-logical method for theoretical generalization and formulation of research conclusions, etc. Taking into account the dynamics and nature of railway freight transportation, conclusions about the strategic place of the industry in ensuring sustainable development of the state and, accordingly, the need to protect its economic security were drawn. The authors outline the legal principles of economic security of railway transport in the system of legal regulation of Ukraine's security policy. The article provides the author's definition of "economic security of railway transport" concept, based on current tendencies in national security.