Tag Archives: Russian Railways

Sapsan – the train more like a plane

The premier high speed train of the Russian Railways fleet is the «Сапсан» (Sapsan). Linking Moscow to Saint Petersburg, the Sapsan has a top service speed of 250 km/h, and a level of onboard service more like an aircraft than than train.

«Sapsan» train on the Moscow — Saint Petersburg route (photo by Sergey Korovkin, via Wikimedia Commons) Continue reading

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0 km on the Trans Siberian Railway

The Trans Siberian Railway might be 9298 kilometre long, but it has to start somewhere – which happens to be Moscow’s Yaroslavsky railway station.

Clock on the station building at Yaroslavsky railway station Continue reading

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Freight wagon codes of the Russian Railways

While travelling across Russia I saw plenty of freight trains, each made up of a variety of different rolling stock. So how are each of these freight wagons identified?

The kicked up snow starts to settle Continue reading

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Inspection crews on the Russian Railways

On my way across Russia by train I spent hours staring out the window at the passing scenery, and in that time I found plenty of railway staff looking just as intently at the tracks.

Walking the tracks with a measuring gauge Continue reading

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All aboard for ‘Railway Lottery’

When travelling by train across Russia, a common sight was advertising posters for «Лотерея железных дорог». So what was it advertising?

Flyer for the Russian Railway's «Лотерея железных дорог» ('rail lotto') competition Continue reading

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Travelling first class on the Russian Railways

On our visit to Russia we spent most of the time travelling in second class, but for Christmas Eve we decided to spend the extra money and book out a Spalny Vagon (1st class) compartment for just us.

Boarding the train, our first class compartment ready for our night crossing Russia Continue reading

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Steam power and trains in modern Russia

Russia has a history of railway electrification dating back to the 1930s, leading to the retirement of their last steam locomotives by the 1970s. However the distinctive smell of burning coal has not disappeared from the Russian Railways – just take a walk down the platform at any railway station.

ЧС2Т class electric locomotive ЧС2Т 954 ready to lead our train out of Saint Petersburg Continue reading

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Playing it safe on the railways of Russia

On the railways of Russia I saw plenty of signs warning against walking on the tracks, but it appears that nobody pays any attention to them.

Crossing the tracks, but more interested in his phone call Continue reading

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Kiev to Rostov-on-Don by train

All aboard for another look out the train window – this time the 20 hour journey south-west from Kiev, Ukraine. Our next stop was the Black Sea resort of Sochi, but due to a lack of direct services we made our way to the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, where we would change trains.

Main entrance to Київ-Пасажирський railway station off Vokzalna Ploshcha Continue reading

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Dogs on the railway tracks

Dogs on the railway tracks – on my trip across Europe I found plenty of them.

Dog sniffing the railway tracks Continue reading

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