The first of Russian Railways’ (RZD) four Talgo trains has begun its operations from the Kursk Railway Station in Moscow.
The new train will travel 440km on each trip between the two cities of Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod.
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Running at a maximum speed of 200km/h, the train covers the distance in 3h and 35min.
A total of 414 passengers can be accommodated in the trains that have 18 passenger coaches and two technical. The coaches are painted in the colours of the Russian flag.
The train will begin with five daily trips between the two cities and increase to seven from July.
A few trips will run non-stop while the others will make intermediate stops in the cities of Vladímir, Kovrov and Dzerzhinsk.
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By GlobalDataThree more trains out of the seven ordered by RZD in 2011, will enter commercial operation next year on the Moscow – Berlin international route.
The trains will be able to switch between the Russian gauge (1,520mm) and the European one (1,435mm) in Brest (Belarus), by using Talgo’s variable gauge system. This avoids any additional investment in infrastructure.
The trains’ natural tilting system reduces the travel time by 30% without any need for investment in the rail track infrastructure.
Compared with other trains, Talgo said that the new trainsets are designed to offer passengers more comfort and accessibility, while reducing energy consumption.
Branded by RZD as Strizh, Talgo trains are the first Spanish trains operating in Russia.
Talgo Russia managing director Guillermo Martinez said: "We were witnessing the culmination of 20 years of work and negotiations with Russian Railways.
"We can finally see Spanish technology running across this country, a very important milestone for both Russia and Spain."
Image: RZD’s Talgo trains will run at a maximum speed of 200km/h covering the distance between Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod in 3h and 35min. Photo: courtesy of Talgo.
