Sapsan

For other uses, see Velaro.

Sapsan
Sapsan en route from Moscow to Saint Petersburg
In service	2009–present
Manufacturer	Siemens
Family name	Siemens Velaro
Formation	10 cars
Capacity	604
Operators	Russian Railways
Lines served	Moscow – Saint Petersburg Railway Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod Railway
Specifications
Car length	250 m (820 ft)
Width	3.265 m (10 ft 8.5 in)
Height	4.4 m (14 ft 5 in)
Maximum speed	250 km/h (155 mph), upgradeable to 330 km/h (205 mph)
Weight	667 t (656 long tons; 735 short tons)
Power output	8,000 kW (11,000 hp)
Tractive effort	380 kN (85,000 lbf)
Power supply	EVS1: 3 kV DC EVS2 (dual voltage units): 3 kV DC, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Electric system(s)	Overhead catenary
Current collector(s)	Pantograph
UIC classification	Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′ +2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′
Safety system(s)	KLUB-U
Track gauge	1520

Not to be confused with the cancelled Sokol train project.

Sapsan (Russian Сапсан, "Peregrine Falcon", known as Velaro RUS EVS by Siemens) is a [[Russian gauge|1520 gauge]] high speed train in Russia. The design is part of the Siemens Velaro family.

The trains started regular service on the Moscow – Saint Petersburg Railway in December 2009 at a maximum speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) (a built new High-Speed Line for up to 330 km/h (205 mph)).

History of construction

On 18 May 2006 Siemens and Russian Railways signed a € 276m order for 8 high speed trains with a 30-year service contract worth around €300m.

OO gauge Model Railway of the Sapsan Railway from Moscow – Saint Petersburg Railway and Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod Railway in the Museum of the Moscow Railway, Moscow

The trains were ordered to connect Moscow with Saint Petersburg and later Nizhny Novgorod at a speed of up to 250 km/h (155 mph). They are derived from the German ICE 3 train but with bodies widened by 330 mm (13 in) to 3,265 mm (10 ft 8.5 in) to suit Russia's wide loading gauge. Four of the trains ("EVS2") are equipped for both 3 kV DC and 25 kV 50 Hz AC operation. The total length of each ten-car train is 250 m (820 ft), carrying up to 600 passengers.

Development and construction was carried out by Siemens at Erlangen and Krefeld in Germany. In August 2009 it was announced that the fifth Sapsan had been delivered to Russia, of the eight that were planned.

Four single-voltage ("EVS1", 3 kV DC powered) trains entered passenger service at the end of 2009 on the Moscow - St Petersburg route, with the dual-system trains (EVS2) entering service on the Nizhny Novgorod route on 30 July 2010.

Sapsan set records for the fastest train in Russia on 2 May 2009, travelling at 281 km/h (175 mph) and on 7 May 2009, travelling at 290 km/h (180 mph).

Operations

Since entering service in December 2009, it has been Russian Railways' only profitable passenger service, with an occupancy rate of 84.5%. According to the timetable valid from 30 October 2011, the direct train from Moscow to St Petersburg without intermediate stops needs 3:40, the train from Moscow to Nizhniy Novgorod 3:55 hours.

See also

• The Museum of the Moscow Railway, at Paveletsky Rail Terminal, Moscow
• Rizhsky Rail Terminal, Home of the Moscow Railway Museum
• Varshavsky Rail Terminal, St.Petersburg, Home of the Central Museum of Railway Transport, Russian Federation
• History of rail transport in Russia

External links

• Velaro RUS pdf Siemens Page
• St. Petersburg - Moscow - Nizhny Novgorod Official web page on Russian Railways