At the end of August, the Russian Railway Museum in St Petersburg hosted the international railway salon PRO//Motion.Expo, the largest regular showcase for new rolling stock and technical solutions for the 1,520 mm gauge market. In 2025, more than 9,000 visitors attended on business days, 138 companies exhibited, and visitors could view 42 examples of rail equipment on the tracks. For the TransLogistica Kazakhstan almanac, the ROLLINGSTOCK editorial board prepared a summary of the main innovations.
Published in the almanac “Rolling Stock Market. Kazakhstan” for the TransLogistica Kazakhstan transport and logistics exhibition
The stand by TMH, the region’s largest rolling stock manufacturer, featured the debut of two major passenger vehicles: the 61-4533 compartment coach and the 61-4535 staff coach. Their primary distinction compared to the standard loading gauge 1-VM is an increase in width by 28 cm and length by 73 cm. The use of the loading gauge T, previously common in multiple-unit rolling stock, enabled larger compartments and berths and new carriage layouts for locomotive-hauled trains. The interiors have also been updated, with changes aimed at boosting individual comfort and personalising passenger space.
Exterior of the 61-4533 compartment coach by TMH. Source: Alexey Stolchnev/ROLLINGSTOCK
The 61-4533 coach was certified for compliance with TR CU 001/2011 and cleared for serial production in May 2025. It contains ten four-berth compartments, including one themed compartment for passengers with children, two toilets, and a separate shower room.
Inside the 61-4535 staff coach by TMH. Source: Alexey Stolchnev/ROLLINGSTOCK
The 61-4535 model still awaits certification trials. It is designed for twelve people, including two compartments for passengers with limited mobility and their companions, the conductor’s and train manager’s compartments, a separate storage area for oversized luggage, a dedicated kitchen, baggage and utility rooms. The coach is fitted with automated lifting devices for boarding and alighting disabled passengers, and two sanitary facilities, one of which is adapted for reduced mobility.
This year Russian Railways (RZD) is purchasing 38 such coaches for the Moscow – St Petersburg route and plans to acquire 100 annually in three years. TMH is ready to produce up to 350 units per year.
TMH’s showcase was again the most extensive at the expo, also including previously presented rolling stock: the TE26 mainline single-section freight/passenger diesel locomotive, the push-pull DP2D, the EP2DM EMU, and the five-car 71-952 Voevoda tram.
Another major player in the 1,520 mm gauge network, Sinara Transport Machines (STM), presented several locomotive innovations. Among them was the 2ES11 Orlets AC freight electric locomotive, continuing the ES8 platform’s new generation of freight locos with asynchronous traction. It is designed to haul trains weighing up to 7,100 tonnes in two-section and up to 9,000 tonnes with a booster. Traction motor output in continuous mode is 8,000 kW, with starting tractive effort of 734 kN and continuous tractive effort of 564 kN. Certification is scheduled for summer 2026.
The 2ES11 Orlets AC freight electric locomotive by Sinara Transport Machines. Source: Alexey Stolchnev/ROLLINGSTOCK
The control panel in 2ES11 Orlets electric locomotive. Source: Alexey Stolchnev/ROLLINGSTOCK
STM also showcased the new mainline, two-section 2TE35A Do-Do freight diesel locomotive, featuring asynchronous traction and next-generation 16DM-185T engines compliant with Stage IIIA standards. It is intended for heavy train operation, with an engine power of 7,300 kW, starting tractive effort of 950 kN, and tractive effort of 846 kN. Independent power and cooling circuits for the traction motors are incorporated, reportedly increasing reliability and locomotive durability by 25%. The 2TE35A exhibited at PRO//Motion.Expo includes a living module with sleeping bunks and a combined shower/toilet.
The 2TE335A freight diesel locomotive by Sinara Transport Machines. Source: Alexey Stolchnev/ROLLINGSTOCK
Inside the 2TE35A locomotive. Source: Alexey Stolchnev/ROLLINGSTOCK
RM Rail led wagon manufacturing for innovations. All shown wagons featured 18-9891 bogies with an axle load of 25-tf, a proprietary design in serial production since 2023.
One debut was the 15-3209 tank wagon for oil products. Design optimisation raised payload to 74.5 t and tank volume to 89.4 m³, with tare weight reduced to 24.5–25.5 t. This enables extra carriage of 1.4–3.7 t of light oil products (density up to 0.8 t/m³).
The 15-3209 tank wagon for oil products by RM Rail. Source: Alexey Stolchnev/ROLLINGSTOCK
Another highlight was the 16-1247 autonomous refrigerated wagon for perishables, primarily food. Its payload is 60 t, which, according to RM Rail, is at least 4 t higher than competitors and the highest in the CIS. Other features are body volume of 132 m³, floor area of 47 m², and capacity of up to 44 pallets. The fridge/heater unit features remote monitoring and temperature control and claims 20 days of autonomous operation.
The 16-1247 autonomous refrigerated wagon by RM Rail. Source: Alexey Stolchnev/ROLLINGSTOCK
The wagon range was completed by the 12-3201 gondola car, with a 75.5 t payload and a 95 m³ body. Frame optimisation increased capacity without altering vehicle height.
The 12-3201 gondola car by RM Rail. Source: Alexey Stolchnev/ROLLINGSTOCK
United Wagon Company introduced the 19-9592 grain hopper with a 127 m³ body and 76.2 t payload. While the payload is similar to the 19-9549 grain hopper (76 t, in production since 2015), the new model’s body is 7 m³ larger (19-9549: 120 m³).
The 19-9592 grain hopper by UWC. Source: Alexey Stolchnev/ROLLINGSTOCK
Engels Zavod Metallokonstruktsy (literally metal structures plant) presented two premieres: the 15-3208 oil tank wagon and the 11-6783 box car. The tank wagon is for products with density up to 0.99 t/m³, features 23.5 tf axle bogies, payload of 69.2 t, and full tank volume of 88 m³. The box car has a payload of 68.8 t, a 161 m³ body, and 49.3 m² of floor space.
The 12-5991 Ural gondola car by UVZ and FGK. Source: Alexey Stolchnev/ROLLINGSTOCK
For the first time, the public could view eight-axle wagons developed for Federal Freight Company (FGK): the 12-5991 Ural gondola car by Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) and the 15-1271 Nakhodka tank wagon by RM Rail. Each consists of two four-axle wagons with 25 tf axle loads, connected by a special short coupler to shorten train length. Each model uses a different coupling technology. The gondola cars’s payload is 151 t, body volume 176 m³. The tank claims to have 150 t payload and total tank volume of 184 m³. At the exhibition, FGK and UVZ signed a contract for 40 Ural gondola cars.
The 12-5991 Nakhodka tank wagon by RM Rail and FGK. Source: Alexey Stolchnev/ROLLINGSTOCK
Track and infrastructure equipment was also on display. Tikhoretsk Machine Construction Plant presented the KROS robotised fastener processing complex, which can handle KB-65, ZhBR-65, and Vossloh W-30 intermediate fasteners on straight and curved track sections. The unit is fully autonomous, with its own power supply, and achieves over 400 m/h in unscrewing/screwing operations operated by a single worker.
The KROS robotised fastener processing complex by TMCP. Source: Alexey Stolchnev/ROLLINGSTOCK
PTK Group demonstrated a new welding head — the core of the next-generation Russian rail-welding machine RSM-2000 (Iskra). According to first deputy general director Evgeny Popov, RZD has already ordered six RSM-2000 units for use on the Moscow – St Petersburg high-speed line.
A notable debut was the A650 multifunctional track robot from Profi Group, Kirov. Automated and remote-controlled, the A650 aligns, tampers, and lines track on ballast using crawler tracks. Productivity is claimed at 600–700 sleepers per hour, with 8 hours autonomy and 180 s for track release.
The A650 multifunctional robotic track maintenance machine by Profi Group. Source: Alexey Stolchnev/ROLLINGSTOCK
The A650 features dual operation modes. If required, its crawler tracks allow it to clear the line independently, at up to 3 km/h on tracks or 10 km/h railway speed. Profi Group CEO Andrey Kroshikhin noted that for demonstration, the A650 was displayed without body panels to reveal design solutions; these can be custom-styled. Profi Group estimates potential sales of 200+ robots for rail and urban transport needs.
The TAD650 asynchronous traction motor for high-speed trains. Source: Alexey Stolchnev/ROLLINGSTOCK
Component innovation centred on the future high-speed train for the Moscow – St Petersburg line. A highlight was the TAD650 asynchronous traction motor, developed by Russian Electric Motors, with 650 kW output, 5,400 rpm nominal speed, 750 kg weight, and a claimed efficiency of at least 96%. Serial production is expected to start next year. TEEK-KOM presented the TK2-8400 tapered roller axle bearings for the high-speed train, Transpneumatics showed the 874 axle brake disc and 871 brake block, and Tayra demonstrated the B0-4.7TR cooling fan for brake resistors and BR-4.5TDSh traction motor cooling fan.
Aleksey Stolchnev, Head of Russian editorial projects, ROLLINGSTOCK Agency
