The question to be examined in this paper is empirical evidence of path dependence of the Czech railways network, i.e. the question whether a way of founding of a particular line influence its economic efficiency and in that way the potential competition of train-operated-companies on it? The study is divided into three parts, beginning by an outline of the most important principles of competition – the competition in the market, and the competition for the market. Further, eight ways of the origin of Czech railways is set out with regard to their present importance: it is presupposed that the way in which a given railway was established predestines its economic efficiency and in that way the potential competition for the market.