Russia: The upgraded Krasnaya Strela service entered operation between St Petersburg and Moscow on the night of 18 December, following a daytime presentation at the Moskovsky station. The train now includes compartment coaches of model 61-4533 and a staff coach of model 61-4535, built by the TMH plant in Tver for the Federal Passenger Company of Russian Railways, and certified earlier this year.
The new model exceeds the dimensions of the standard 1-VM gauge coach by 28 centimetres in width and 73 centimetres in length. The use of the T loading gauge made it possible to enlarge compartment and berth dimensions by 16 centimetres in length and 10 centimetres in width, enabling a revised interior layout and the addition of extra service spaces. The coaches are also fitted with a predictive monitoring, diagnostics and control system.
Launch of the Krasnaya Strela service. Source: FPC
The 61-4533 coach has 10 four-berth compartments, including one for passengers travelling with children, plus a separate shower room and two toilets, one of which is equipped with a baby-changing table.
The 61-4535 staff coach has two compartments for passengers with reduced mobility and their attendants, two standard four-berth compartments, a luggage room, a large kitchen area and a compartment for the train manager and service attendant. It also has two toilets, one of which is fully accessible for passengers with reduced mobility.
In the compartment coach of model 61-4533 of the Krasnaya Strela. Source: RZD
For the project, the TMH plant in Kolomna has supplied two EP2K passenger electric locomotives. The vehicles carry the new Krasnaya Strela livery and are equipped with a video monitoring system to replace conventional rear-view mirrors, as well as LED headlights.
Inside the upgraded Krasnaya Strela train. Source: RZD
“This year we have already received 12 new T-loading-gauge compartment coaches from the TMH plant in Tver, including two staff coaches, and deliveries will continue. In 2027 we also expect to receive the first T-gauge first-class, luxury and restaurant cars”, says Russian Railways deputy CEO Ivan Kolesnikov.
The Krasnaya Strela was first introduced between Moscow and Leningrad (previous name of St Petersburg) on 10 June 1931 as the first service in the Soviet Union. The journey time is eight hours.
