Russia: On 3 December, the first trainset with 10 double-deck coaches hauled by the renewed dual-system EP20 electric locomotive departed from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod. Three pairs of trains will daily operate on the route, covering the distance in around four hours at a maximum speed of 160 km/h.
The rolling stock has been produced by TMH’s plants, with the locomotive built in Novocherkassk and the coaches in Tver. Depending on a passenger flow, a trainset can include up to 15 double-deck coaches, providing accommodation for 1,190 passengers.
The Federal Passenger Company, part of Russian Railways, has received a total of 37 coaches for the Burevestnik. A trainset is formed from several sitting coaches (model 61-4492), a couchette coach (61-4565), a couchette coach for staff with seats for passengers with reduced mobility (61-4472), and a restaurant coach (61-4473).
First departure of the renewed Burevestnik train. Source: Guberniya33
The 61-4492 coaches have been upgraded specially for this project. The base model was put in operation as part of the Aurora train last year. According to TMH, the coach modification for Burevestnik is distinguished by an increased number of toilets (from two to three) and an innovative ‘star sky’ lighting system in both the first- and second-class interiors.
The branded train, dubbed the Burevestnik, connected Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod between 1965 and 2014. Then it was replaced by trainsets consisting of the imported Strizh coaches from Talgo. In March 2022, the Spanish manufacturer unilaterally terminated the maintenance agreement with FPS, explaining it by insurmountable circumstances. The Talgo coaches were subsequently withdrawn from service.
