Sapsan

For other uses, see Velaro.

Sapsan
Sapsan passing Malino station, Zelenograd, Moscow
In service	2009–present
Manufacturer	Siemens
Family name	Velaro
Formation	10 cars
Capacity	604
Operator	Russian Railways
Line(s) 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	(?)
Maximum speed	250 km/h (155 mph)
Weight	667 t (656 long tons; 735 short tons)
Power output	8 megawatts (11,000 hp)
Power supply	EVS1: 3 kV DC EVS2 (dual voltage units): 3 kV DC, 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Electric system(s)	Overhead catenary
Current collection method	Pantograph
Safety system(s)	KLUB-U
Gauge	1,520 mm (4 ft 11 5⁄6 in)

Not to be confused with the cancelled Sokol train project.

Sapsan (Russian Сапсан, "Peregrine Falcon", known as Velaro RUS EVS by Siemens) is a 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 ⁵⁄₆ in) gauge high speed train in Russia. The design is part of the Siemens Velaro family.

The trains were expected to start regular service on the Moscow — Saint Petersburg Railway by November 2009^[1] at a maximum speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) (a built new High-Speed Line for up to 330 km/h/205 mph is planned). The service was launched on 18 December 2009; tickets went on sale on 23 November.^[2]

History of construction

On 18 May 2006 Siemens and Russian Railways signed a €276m order for 8 high speed trains^[3] with a 30-year service contract worth around €300m.^[3]

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.^[4] 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 is being carried out by Siemens at Erlangen and Krefeld in Germany. In August 2009 it was announced that the fifth Sapsan has been delivered to Russia, of the eight that are planned.^[5]

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.^[6]

Sapsan set records for the fastest train in Russia on 2 May 2009, travelling at 281 km/h (175 mph)^[7] 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%.^[8]

References

1. ^ "First "Sapsan" will go in a week Russian: Первый "Сапсан" поедет через неделю" (in ru). Fontanka.ru. 2009-07-23. http://www.fontanka.ru/2009/07/23/026/. Retrieved 2009-07-23. 
2. ^ RZD launches ticket sales for high-speed Sapsan train. RZD Russian Railways, Press Release, 2009-11-23.
3. ^ ^{a b} "Velaro RUS to St Petersburg". Railway Gazette International. 2006-06-06. http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/velaro-rus-to-st-petersburg.html. 
4. ^ Broad-gauge Velaro fleet relaunches Russia's high speed programme. Railway Gazette International November 2006.
5. ^ "The fifth Sapsan train has been delivired To Russia" (in ru). Fontanka.ru. 2009-08-10. http://www.fontanka.ru/2009/08/10/044/. Retrieved 2009-08-10. 
6. ^ "Sapsan reaches Nizhny Novgorod". Railway Gazette International. 2010-08-02. http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/sapsan-reaches-nizhny-novgorod.html. 
7. ^ "Sapsan claims Russian rail speed record". Railway Gazette International. 2009-05-07. http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/sapsan-claims-russian-rail-speed-record.html. Retrieved 2009-05-10. 
8. ^ Yana Makarova; Igor Belogurov; Artem Markin (2010-10-26). "Sapsan train races ahead in profitability for Russian Railways". RIA Novosti. http://en.rian.ru/business/20101026/161088304.html. Retrieved 2010-11-24. 

External links

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