High-speed train with a bird's name: all about Sapsan. The speed of the Sapsan train - how fast it travels

New high-speed electric trains run on domestic railways between St. Petersburg and Moscow. The speed of the Sapsan train is relatively high. This feature makes it possible to cover long distances in much less time. Gradually, their work is being launched in new directions. The production was carried out by the German company Siemens.

What is the speed of the Sapsan train?

The Falcon, after which this machine is named, is capable of accelerating in flight up to 320 kilometers per hour. limit the ability to accelerate to 250 km/h. Sapsan trains can reach 350 kilometers per hour.

Boarding begins 45 minutes before the train departs. After the doors are locked, the automation checks the functionality of the entire system. Only after this does the movement begin. "Sapsan" is the first Russian train where the possibility of smoking is completely excluded. Today you can watch a whole series of several animated films “The Peregrine Falcon and Friends”. The train also has a Twitter account and its own online blog.

Sapsanov drivers

Train drivers of this class are assigned responsibilities comparable to the work of real pilots. Their responsibilities include solving numerous problems of a fairly high level of complexity. The speed characteristics are comparable to the operating modes of airliners during takeoff. Only the best candidates are selected for the position of driver of such a train. Specialists who have undergone special training are allowed to operate Sapsan. All driver skills must be developed to perfection.

Wi-Fi in Sapsan

In 2012, attempts began to equip the train technical support, facilitating the possibility of obtaining wireless Internet access. Routers are installed in each Sapsanov carriage. Business class passengers can use the Internet absolutely free. Citizens traveling in economy mode are forced to pay for access.

Bistro car

The speed of the Sapsan train, as well as its streamlined shapes, are not all that makes it unusual. Each passenger can use a comfortable bistro car. Here you can not just have a snack, but even order full lunch. Drinks, hot dishes, and snacks are available for train passengers to choose from.

Transportation of small animals

The speed of the Sapsan train is quite high, but this does not affect the possibility of equipping premises for transporting animals. Transportation is allowed in cages, baskets or boxes not exceeding 180 cm when adding length, width and height. In this case, you must have documents from the veterinarian with you. Registration will cost 400 rubles. This is a fixed mandatory fee for issuing an electronic ticket or travel document.

Baggage inspection

Starting from the first start of the train, each passenger must undergo scanning of the transported items. Increased safety during travel is guaranteed to passengers, despite the short duration of the entire screening procedure.

Hand luggage

Passengers have the opportunity to travel on one ticket. The weight of the cargo should not exceed 36 kilograms, and the sum of all measurements should not exceed 180 cm. Above the established norm, you can carry fishing rods, cameras, binoculars, handbags, briefcases, umbrellas and other small things whose size is not more than a meter when measuring overall dimensions.

Large equipment cannot be loaded as carry-on luggage. Other people's things, explosives, flammable, poisonous, flammable, and foul-smelling substances are not accepted for transportation. Firearms must be in a holster, case or case separate from the unloaded cartridges. Only after complying with all the above rules, passengers can use the Sapsan high-speed train to transport small-sized cargo (the speed it can reach is indicated above).

Group travel

There is a group fare for travel by schoolchildren from 10 to 18 years old, consisting of at least 10 people traveling on the same date, on the same route, on the same train. Registration takes place upon prior request. A group fare is provided for travel of at least 10 children under 10 years old traveling on the same train, on the same date, on the same route. It is also available upon prior request.

Conclusion

Possibility of use railway as a travel option are rapidly evolving. One example of this is the magnificent machines developed by the German manufacturer Siemens. Each passenger will definitely be pleased with the comfortable travel conditions and high speed of the Sapsan train. The developers have offered a solution to almost everything possible problems, which arise in the process of overcoming distances, and combined them in one design solution. The new ones offered to Russian citizens leave the best travel impressions.

The problem of developing high-speed, environmentally friendly ground transport is of a nationwide nature. Its solution would significantly improve the situation with the organization of passenger transportation on the main routes of the railway network, ensure an increase in passenger turnover, reduce the need for rolling stock and, as a result, raise the prestige of domestic railways and the state in the international aspect. Therefore, the topic of developing high-speed traffic has always been a priority.

Developed in 2000, the concept of organizing high-speed and high-speed traffic of passenger trains provided for a gradual increase in speeds to 160-250 km/h on the existing lines Moscow - St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg - Buslovskaya, Moscow - Krasnoye, Moscow - Nizhny Novgorod, Moscow – Otrozhka – Rostov) and the creation of appropriate rolling stock.

By order of the Ministry of Railways of Russia dated March 17, 2003 No. 278r, “Types and main parameters of multi-unit rolling stock” were approved. In addition to suburban electric trains, this type also includes local electric trains with a design speed of 160 km/h and high-speed trains with a design speed of 250 km/h (type ES9). In the Technical Requirements for high-speed electric trains approved in 2003, taking into account the experience of creating the Sokol electric train, special attention devoted to the crew part, fundamentally new types of braking equipment, pneumatic suspension systems for cars, the problem of current collection and reduction of aerodynamic resistance to movement.

The approved requirements served as the basis for negotiations between Russian Railways and electric train suppliers. Considered various options, domestic developers received proposals from Central Design Bureau MT Rubin, ZAO Spetsremont, incl. on organizing joint production with foreign companies.

In 2004, VNIIZhT conducted a feasibility study of options for organizing high-speed transportation on the Moscow-St. Petersburg route. The most effective option was determined to increase the speed on the existing line to 250 km/h and use DC rolling stock. This allows you to preserve the existing infrastructure of the route as much as possible, minimize the amount of funding for its modernization and avoid the cost of replacing existing rolling stock. As the main option for detailed study by design organizations, a modernization option was proposed with the preservation of four barrier locations (Bologoye and Tver stations, bridges over the Volkhov and Msta rivers). With an estimated travel time of 3 hours and investment costs of about 27 billion rubles. The payback period for the option was estimated at 19 years. To accommodate the forecast passenger flow of 4.2 million passengers per year with a train capacity of 650 passengers and an average population of 90%, the need for daily running of up to 10 pairs of high-speed trains was determined.

Based on a technical and economic comparison of the proposed options for the supply of electric trains, Russian Railways OJSC decided on the need for a detailed study of the Technical Requirements together with the Siemens company.

About 200 Russian specialists from specialized research institutes, the central office of Russian Railways, design bureaus and operational enterprises of Russian Railways took part in the work on the new Technical Requirements. The key condition was full compatibility of the new high-speed electric trains with the existing Russian railway infrastructure. However, when developing the requirements, the world experience of high-speed traffic was also studied in detail, and railway companies and research organizations Germany, Spain and France. This made it possible to take into account both positive and negative experiences accumulated in these countries in the field of high-speed transport. Technical requirements for electric trains were approved by Russian Railways on May 31, 2005.

One of the first design options for a high-speed electric train for the St. Petersburg - Moscow line.
Source: press release of Russian Railways, Siemens. 2005

Contracts for the supply of electric trains

Russian Railways and Siemens have entered into agreements for the design, supply and maintenance of 8 high-speed electric trains, the design of which is based on the Velaro serial platform. Single-system DC electric trains of the EVS1 series are designed for operation on the Moscow – St. Petersburg line with a maximum speed of 250 km/h. For operation on the Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod line, it is planned to supply 4 electric trains in a two-system version of the EVS2 series.

The contract (signed in May 2006) stipulated that the design, design work and the production of electric trains will be carried out by Siemens in Erlangen and Krefeld in close cooperation with Russian specialists. The electric train must be equipped with Russian traffic safety devices integrated into the train control system. In accordance with the contract, Siemens is responsible for obtaining all necessary certificates and approvals. During 2008-2009, it was planned to carry out a set of tests; bench tests of components should be partially carried out at manufacturing plants in European countries with the participation of experts from Russia, partly in Russia by Russian testing centers. Climatic tests must be carried out in a specialized climatic chamber of the Arsenal company in Vienna (Austria).

Responsibility for carrying out routine maintenance of trains at existing depots in St. Petersburg, Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod and ensuring the necessary operational readiness of electric trains in accordance with the additional contract (signed in April 2007) is also assigned to Siemens. Participation in the maintenance and repair process is provided for by Russian Railways personnel trained by Siemens. JSC Russian Railways is ensuring a comprehensive modernization of the Metallostroy multiple unit depot in St. Petersburg, in which special equipment must be installed and the latest technologies must be applied.

Design option for the EMU high-speed electric train.
Source: JSC Russian Railways, Siemens. 2007

Creation of a regulatory framework for high-speed traffic

Russian regulatory documents(laws, standards, safety norms) did not provide for special safety requirements for rolling stock with a design speed of more than 200 km/h, it was decided to use as much as possible foreign experience. During 2006-2008, special scientific research and tests were carried out, the purpose of which was to compare Russian and European standards and justify the selected design parameters. The main problem with the application of European regulations lies in the significant differences in the methods of measuring and assessing indicators. The purpose of the research carried out at VNIIZhT was to compare test results obtained using Russian and European methods. VNIIZhT specialists conducted or took part in two dozen joint tests in various European countries and in Russia in almost all areas of research.

The work carried out has made it possible to make significant progress in the development of domestic regulatory documents for high-speed and high-speed traffic. Relevant safety standards and norms for rolling stock and infrastructure have been newly developed or adjusted. By 2009, the Ministry of Transport had approved more than 20 safety standards for electric trains and other railway technical equipment, containing special requirements for certification, as well as regulatory documents governing the operation of high-speed trains at speeds of up to 250 km/h.

By the end of 2010, Russia had developed a package of regulatory and technical documents regulating all aspects of regulatory support for high-speed traffic.

Infrastructure modernization

After developing a project for modernizing the infrastructure of the St. Petersburg - Moscow and Moscow - Nizhny Novgorod lines, the volume was finally determined necessary work. The limiting factor was the investment opportunities of Russian Railways.

It was decided at this stage of reconstruction to limit the maximum speed of traffic in the suburban areas of Moscow and St. Petersburg to 140 km/h, to modernize the Borovenka-Spirovo section to implement a speed of 250 km/h, and to bring the infrastructure of the remaining sections to a speed of 200 km/h. As high-speed transportation was developed, it was planned to expand the range of traffic at speeds above 200 km/h.

In 2007-2009, the superstructure of the track, turnouts, bridges, contact networks, traction substations, stations, signaling and communication systems were modernized. Almost all high-speed sections were fenced off, most passenger platforms were rebuilt and equipped with protective barriers. In some curves, the radii and elevations of the outer rail have been changed. VNIIZhT has developed a new switch that allows trains to travel along a straight track at a speed of 250 km/h. Tests prototype switches were carried out on the experimental ring with speeds of up to 120 km/h and at Borovenka station (275 km/h).

To solve the problems of ensuring current collection on the direct current line on the Likhoslavl - Kalashnikovo section of the Oktyabrskaya road, in 2005-2007, tests were carried out at speeds of up to 264 km/h on the interaction of several variants of catenary designs with Russian and German pantographs installed on an electric locomotive adapted for testing ChS200. The studies carried out made it possible to substantiate the requirements for the developed structures of the contact network and pantographs for high speeds. Were designed and tested various designs contact suspension, which uses new elements, and in particular a specially made bronze contact wire. Methods have been created to evaluate the dynamic parameters of the current collection system for high-speed traffic, as well as the possibility of simultaneous use of different current collection systems for high-speed and normal traffic on the line.

When upgrading the line, the contact network was brought into compliance with the requirements for operation at speeds of 200 and 250 km/h.

Based on the results of theoretical and experimental studies of the influence of outstanding acceleration on passengers and the locomotive crew, carried out by VNIIZHT and VNIIZhG, it was decided to establish a standard value of 1.0 m/s2 for high-speed traffic sections. This made it possible to reduce capital costs for the reconstruction of curves by approximately 30% while ensuring sanitary and hygienic standards.

Unfortunately, the necessary funding was not allocated for the construction of overpasses at the intersections with highways Instead of moving at one level, central and regional government authorities took on the role of observers. Russian Railways was forced to limit itself to modernizing safety systems at crossings.

Adaptation of electric train design

The Velaro Rus electric train concept is based on the Velaro concept developed by Siemens for Spanish Railways and also used in the development of electric trains for China. For Russian conditions, the concept was seriously refined, taking into account the recommendations of Russian specialists based on 20 years of experience in operating electric trains ER200 and Nevsky Express trains with electric locomotives ChS200.

Structural changes were made to the bogies for a track width of 1520 mm and adaptation to the design features of the superstructure of the track. The operating temperature range of the electric train from -40 to +40°C is significantly different from the Spanish and Chinese design and has become the most significant factor that influenced the overall configuration and layout of equipment and systems, as well as the components used. The use of special grades of steel and materials is provided that meet the requirements for temperature ranges down to -50°C. This applies to all components used outside the body, in particular fasteners, rubber gaskets and plastic elements. Low temperatures and special conditions in Russia in winter require the use of a higher level of sealing of the undercar space from snow penetration, as well as the installation of deflectors in the undercar space to protect against snow and ice. The pantographs are equipped with short-stroke pneumatic cylinders that ensure the detachment of the frozen pantograph runner in the lowered state. To prevent snow from entering the space under the car, an air intake is provided through the air cooling system to cool the traction components from the side of the car roof. The air ducts, which occupy significant space in the car interiors, were designed in the form of a wardrobe.

The design of the head car of the electric train is distinguished by its aerodynamic shape, optimized for high speed, which is especially important for reducing the pressure drop in the cabins when entering tunnels at high speed. On the German and Spanish Railways, the driver's cabin is designed for one driver, while the compromise between the comfort of passengers and the driver was decided in favor of passengers; the opportunity for the driver to stand up at the workplace was not provided, despite the requirements of the UIC 651 standard. On the Moscow - St. Petersburg there are no tunnels, therefore, taking into account Russian standards, there is a place for an assistant in the driver’s cabin, as well as the ability to control the driver in a standing position. The corresponding change in the design of the head car and the shape of the windshield was quite a difficult task.

From Velaro E to Velaro Rus - Changing the shape of the head car.

What is "Sapsan"? Many will immediately correct: not what, but who, they say, this is a bird. Predatory, akin to falcons and hawks. And they will be wrong, because the article will talk about a fundamentally new high-speed train. More precisely, an electric train of the latest generation. It runs on the route St. Petersburg - Moscow, and for quite a long time it has been pleasing its passengers not only with the highest level of comfort, but also with the speed of delivery to the point. The peregrine falcon is worth talking about especially.

A little history of the birth of Sapsan

In 2009 An announcement about the launch of a new transport appeared on the Russian Railways website. At that time, Sapsan’s route was intended only from St. Petersburg to Moscow, and the first flights were a kind of experiment.

It all started back in 2005, when Russian President V.V. Putin and the then German Chancellor Gerhart Schröder personally supervised the signing of an agreement between the leaders of our railway and the German company Siemens on the joint development and further production of fundamentally new high-speed electric trains. Initially it was assumed that 60 cars would be produced in Russia. But after the management of Russian Railways changed, the number of future Sapsan aircraft was reduced to 8. The release location was also changed.

The original route, designed for the fastest possible travel from St. Petersburg to Moscow, was then supposed to be significantly expanded. According to the project, the same electric trains were to be introduced to Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Samara, and then on communication lines between Novosibirsk, Omsk and Krasnoyarsk. Much remains in the plans.

For the first time, the modern handsome man set off on a flight at the end of 2009, on December 17. It was a trial run and it paid off. The route is still commercial, but the demand for it continues. Already from December 18 of the same year, anyone could purchase a ticket for Sapsan, and the movement became regular.

At first there were only 3 trains. Surely passengers who often travel between capitals remember their numbers: 151/152, 155/156, 165/166. Since April 2010, the number of cars has been increased by 2 more (159/160, 161/162).

Tickets for the Sapsan train sold out very quickly, even though their price was approximately 2 times higher than for a regular one. That is why it was decided to expand the routes, and high-speed electric trains appeared, traveling between Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod, as well as between St. Petersburg, Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod (they were later removed).

Important! Now the numbering has changed, and all Sapsan received numbers starting from 700!

Today, 7 Sapsan trains regularly run on the route Moscow - St. Petersburg and back, but there are also additional trains. All of them cope with the task perfectly, impressing passengers not only with high comfort, but also with almost silent, smooth walking. Here you will not hear the usual “chug-chug” of wheels, nor will you stagger from an unexpected push. You can buy a ticket for Sapsan either online or directly at the box office. When purchasing, consider some subtleties. The cost of tickets depends on the season, on what class of carriage you prefer and on a number of other factors. But more about them below.

Sapsan is the most comfortable transport that will take you from St. Petersburg to Moscow in a very short time(about 4 hours, which is more than 2 times faster than a regular train). It is designed for different classes of service, but regardless of whether you choose a business car or a simple one, the service will be at a high level.

Like any other, the Sapsan train has a dining car. However, you do not need to visit it. Even in economy class you will definitely be offered something to snack on or a substantial meal. And although the food is served in much the same way as on an airplane, it is not free. In Sapsan they provide food, but you will have to pay for the order, and the amounts are quite significant (for example, a cup of coffee and a small cake will cost approximately 150 rubles). Therefore, if children are traveling with you, but you don’t really want to pay for food, it is advisable to take something with you.

How is Sapsan different from other trains?

What makes this car with a beautiful bird name so popular?

Well, let's try to sort everything out. The same as the luggage of passengers who use the services of this electric train.

Speed. In fact, faster than this miracle modern technology you will not be able to get from the northern capital to the official one (or vice versa). Travel time will be no more than 4 hours. And thanks to modern noise reduction, the carriages are very quiet and there is no need to strain or shout when talking.
Service. The service classes on Sapsan are no different from all others: business class, economy class and tourist. Of course, there are differences, but it’s comfortable in any of them. The service fully complies with the European standard, and we will describe the cars in more detail below.
Discounts and promotions. Unlike regular trains, this beauty does not provide many opportunities to buy cheap tickets for Sapsan. But there are still some options. You can get a discount if you purchase round-trip tickets for Sapsan. There is also a travel pass. It is beneficial for those who regularly travel from Moscow to St. Petersburg or vice versa.

Let us now take a closer look at the carriages. At first glance, it becomes clear that the train is modern. Outwardly, it looks like a racing car: round, forward-looking shapes, white and the Russian tricolor. The inside of the carriage is no worse. It evokes associations with an airplane: spacious, with the same reclining seats. And yet, there are significant differences.

Economy class carriages. Quite spacious, decorated in pleasant blue and white colors. Each row has 4 chairs, arranged in pairs, with a wide passage between them. The seats in Sapsan are quite comfortable, but you won’t be able to stretch your legs. In the first two rows it is possible to ride alone: the carriage diagram will show this in detail. The chairs are covered with woven material, and the interior has very soft, eye-catching lighting. All Sapsan aircraft are equipped with small TVs, several of them, so it will be convenient for every passenger to watch. There is one more feature here. You won't hear any sound from the screen, but headphones are inserted into the armrests. Their cost is already included in the ticket. And, like on an airplane, the back of the seat in front can easily be transformed into a table. In her pocket there is a variety of printed materials. The level of comfort corresponds to European standards, so it is advisable to book a ticket for Sapsan in advance. The best way to do this is on the Internet, on a website maintained by the Russian railway. There you can always find out the schedule, as well as the cost of a ticket for Sapsan.
Business class carriages. Everything is different here. The most important difference is less people. This is understandable: express tickets are not cheap anyway, but business class tickets are much more expensive. The width of the seats is not very different. But the finishing material is different - faux leather. For some, this may seem more of an inconvenience: slippery, there is a risk of slipping. But there is a big plus: free food. If in economy you have to buy everything that the menu offers, then the price of the dishes is already included. You can book a business class ticket for Sapsan the day before departure; they are almost always available.
Tourist carriages(class of service 2 s). These are ordinary carriages with seats. They come without additional services, meals are not provided. If you choose this option, then tickets to Moscow, as well as back, will be much cheaper. In any case, a trip on Sapsan is the fastest and most comfortable choice, even if meals and additional services are not included.

In general, it is not for nothing that the Sapsan high-speed train bears the proud name of the fastest bird of prey. It accelerates to 230 km/h. The station from which the car departs for St. Petersburg is Moskovsky.

Stopping stations:

Miraculous;
Okulovka;
Corner;
Bologoe;
Vyshny Volochek;
Tver;
Moscow (Leningradsky station)

You can travel not only along the traditional route from one capital to another, but also, for example, to Vyshny Volochek or Tver. Tariffs must be found at the box office or online. It makes sense to view the location of the cars and the best seat options for you via the Internet. This information is always available on the website.

Special places for special travelers

The high-speed Sapsan is designed for a variety of categories of passengers. For example, in cars 10 (20) the design provides for increased comfort. Train tickets here can be purchased by those who value personal space and do not like cramped spaces.

Economy+ type cars have more sockets for recharging mobile phones than regular ones (also 10, 20 cars in double trains). 6 (16) carriages have seats for passengers with disabilities. It is equipped with special ramps and has wider passages, as well as very reliable modern fastenings for wheelchairs. There is a changing table in the toilet for small children, which can be very useful for families with babies.

There is a bistro car (5, 15), as well as a meeting compartment (1, 11)

Peregrine falcon and children

Little passengers - special category citizens whom the train developers took extra care of. Children's tickets for Sapsan come with significant discounts up to 5 years of age when accompanied. Car 10 (20) has a separate seat for an adult under one year of age and has a pull-out changing table.

Promotions and benefits for children, as on regular trains. You can issue a ticket to the children's zone at specialized Sapsan stations, as well as at the central ticket offices of Russian Railways. It is possible to transport unaccompanied children aged 10 to 14 years. True, this is only possible for Sapsan “St. Petersburg - Moscow - St. Petersburg”.

Each child is given a small blanket and age-appropriate printed materials. You can check the availability of Sapsan tickets, order and buy them on specialized online resources. Transportation is carried out daily. Boarding takes place from platforms designated for this train.

The most important question: price

It's time to talk about prices for Sapsan. “Bird” is not cheap, but it’s deserved. The travel time will be about 4 hours, and if you choose, for example, the Tver - St. Petersburg route, the schedule of which can be seen on the Internet, then it will be even faster.

Departure from Moscow starts at 5.40 and lasts until 19.40. Trains from St. Petersburg depart at approximately the same time, towards Moscow ones. If you want to know which station they leave from, then in Moscow it is Leningradsky, in St. Petersburg it is Moskovsky. Sapsan train schedule for Moscow:

5.40 (752),
7.30 (754),
7.40 (double train, 756),
9.30 (758),
9.40 (760),
15.30 (770),
15.40 (772),
19.30 (778),
19.40 (double train, 780).

For St. Petersburg:

5.30 (751),
7.00 (753),
7.10 (double train, 755),
13.00 (765),
13.10 (767),
15.00 (769),
15.10 (771),
19.00 (double train, 777),
19.10 (779).

Well, now that you know which station in Moscow Sapsan departs from, what types of cars and classes of service it has, and also which station Sapsan arrives at, you can move on to the most important question. It will concern prices and discounts.

How much does a ticket to Sapsan cost?

The amount depends on many factors: time of year, season, occupancy and type of cars, tariffs. On average, the price of a ticket to Moscow starts from:

472 rubles (for a child under 10 years old),
1032 rubles (for a pensioner over 60 years old),
1935 rubles (for an adult on two adjacent seats),
1161r (round trip).

These are special rates. A regular ticket for an adult will cost about 7,000 rubles. Now you know how much Sapsan costs to St. Petersburg or back (the cost is the same).

It will be cheaper to intermediate stations. The cost of Sapsan to Tver is approximately 3,000 if you travel from Moscow, and from St. Petersburg - approximately 5,500.

There are also additional bonuses. Electronic card Peregrine Falcon allows you to pay with significant discounts. There is also a special travel pass issued for a month. You can find out more about it at the station ticket offices.

The train is popular. The train is comfortable and almost silent. Therefore, even if there are regular routes between capitals (which take about 10 hours on average), there are practically no discounts on Sapsan. You have to pay for convenience and speed.

The cabin can be located either at the head of the train or at the tail, it depends on the formation. A map of the location of seats and carriages is provided on the Internet, so you can always choose the one you need. The train has high performance both service and movement. This is how he earned people's love.

Arrival in Moscow is approximately 4 hours after the start of the journey (and vice versa). The train arrives at the Leningradsky station, having reached Paveletsky, you can transfer to the Aeroexpress at Domodedovo, if necessary.

You can find out everything you need about Sapsan online. This is a modern choice for those who want to get to the desired capital faster and more comfortably. The train fully lives up to its proud name - Sapsan!

A trip on the Sapsan is an excellent alternative for those who value their time and comfort while traveling to their destination. After all, if you use the services of an airline, you can experience all the force majeure circumstances: traffic jams on the roads to the airport, a long check-in process, or dependence on the weather. All this is not scary for this type of transport - and in a very short time, literally in a couple of hours, you will rush from St. Petersburg to Moscow and back with comfort and convenience.

The real name of "Sapsan" is Velaro RUS. This is a version of the reliable high-speed trains in Europe. A close relative is Intercity-Express, produced by Siemens Corporation.

Where did the name come from?

There is a fast and amazing bird on earth - the peregrine falcon. When it hunts, it can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h. The Sapsan train route Moscow - St. Petersburg - Moscow was launched in 2009. The length of the train is 250 m, it has 10 cars (1 first class, 1 business, 7 economy cars and a bistro car). The technology of its creation and assembly is similar to that of aviation, so it weighs much less than conventional trains that we are used to. As for the cost, Russian Railways purchased eight trains for 276 million euros.

What is the speed of the Sapsan train: technical characteristics

The train has only seats, each carriage has toilets, the air is well air-conditioned, and in the transport itself the temperature is more than comfortable, up to +22 degrees. The aisles between the seats are quite wide, so no one will push the passengers who sit on the edge. And what is most important for have a great trip- the cabin is incredibly quiet thanks to sound insulation. The train moves very smoothly: you have to look out the window to make sure you are moving.

In general, the maximum speed of the Sapsan train is 400 km/h, but on railways and when transporting passengers across Russia it is limited to 250 km/h. On the run Okulovka - Malaya Vishera, the highest speed can reach 240 km/h. On the route Moscow - Nizhny Novgorod, the speed is reduced to 160 km/h. Speed data is displayed on an electronic display located in each carriage. The average speed of the Sapsan train Moscow - St. Petersburg is 200 km/h. Every day the train makes approximately 5-6 flights in one direction and the same number in the other. On holidays, additional flights are opened in order to have time to transport everyone.

How many hours is the journey?

The train currently covers the distance between Moscow and St. Petersburg in 3 hours and 40 minutes, depending on the number and frequency of stops. The train travels to Nizhny Novgorod in 3 hours and 55 minutes.

In order to purchase tickets, you can go to the railway station ticket office, but a more convenient option would be to buy them online. You can buy a ticket while sitting in your chair at home and not have to travel around the city, wasting extra time in line. You can also check the ticket price on the Russian Railways website. Today the price varies from 2,406 to 3,600 rubles for travel in economy class. If you want to travel in a business carriage, you will have to pay from 4,750 to 6,680 thousand rubles. In addition, there are reduced auction prices for tickets, which you can find out about by visiting the official website.

What services does the Sapsan train provide?

Wi-Fi: in business class it is completely free, but in economy you have to pay for it. You can pay for it right on the way (by bank card, mobile or special card, which is sold by the conductors of the bistro car).
There are 13 bathrooms in total. Where they are located can be seen on the carriage diagram.
Sockets. In the business car they are built under each seat, in the economy car there are two sockets for everyone.
In business class, the ticket price includes: fresh press; hygiene kit; hot lunch; one serving of alcohol; tea, coffee, various drinks freely available; children - toys, coloring books, board games;
There are no such services in economy class carriages.

Incidents during transport operation

Everyone knows that the high-speed train "Sapsan", the speed of which is quite high, does not exceed it more than 240-250 km/h due to the lack ideal conditions to comply with all speed limits. In this regard, during the operation of the train, a number of incidents occurred that were associated with collisions with people, crossing paths. The reason is the lack of convenient passages across the border of the Oktyabrskaya Railway, which leads to populated areas. This is also due to the number of trains, as well as their noiselessness, which does not allow one to correctly determine the distance. Due to the fact that the speed of the Sapsan train is high, the causes of accidents can be generalized. This:

Great speed.
Silence.
Strong air currents.
Lack of transitions.
There is no light or sound warning.
Timetable.
Violation of the rules for crossing paths.

According to official data, more than 20 people died during the first year of commissioning of the high-speed train. Despite the fact that security measures were taken in 2010-2011 (fences were built along the railway line, a moving train was equipped with an alarm system, guards were stationed at the crossings), the number of collisions with people still remains high.

Drivers' work

Train drivers of this class have a huge responsibility, which can be compared to the working conditions of pilots. Their responsibilities include many tasks of a high level of complexity that require careful attention and diligence. The speed characteristics of this type of transport can be compared with the operating mode of the aircraft at the time of takeoff. Only the most worthy candidates who have undergone full training and examination are selected for the position of driver of this transport. The speed of the Sapsan train Moscow - St. Petersburg allows you to quickly and comfortably arrive at your destination, without any delays along the way. All the skills and abilities of train drivers have been developed to the point of automaticity and perfection, since the driver is responsible for the lives of the passengers being transported and those who are near the moving train.

And German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, the heads of Russian Railways Gennady Fadeev and Siemens Hans Schabert signed an agreement on the joint development and production of 60 electric trains based on Intercity-Express with a maximum speed of up to 300 km/h; the amount of this contract was estimated at €1.5 billion. It was assumed that the trains would be produced in Russia at a specially created joint venture.

The concluded contract provided for an agreement for the delivery of eight high-speed Velaro trains by the end of 2010, as well as their maintenance for 30 years or a mileage of at least 14 million km. The cost of the supply contract was 276 million euros, with an additional 354.1 million euros for maintenance (the total cost of organizing high-speed traffic between Moscow and St. Petersburg was expected to be more than 700 million euros). Siemens trains were supposed to replace the outdated high-speed trains ER200, operating on the St. Petersburg - Moscow line since 1984. In the future, it was planned to organize the movement of high-speed trains in the direction of Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, and then Samara, Sochi and Kursk, and in the future between Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk and Omsk. The possibility of high-speed communication to Kyiv, Minsk, Crimea and Adler (via Kharkov) is being explored.

The Japanese metallurgical company Nippon Steel supplied 20.15 thousand tons of rails for organizing high-speed traffic on the Oktyabrskaya Railway.

To manage this area, JSC Russian Railways has created a specialized branch - Directorate of High Speed Transport, which should carry out work to launch high-speed communication between Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod, St. Petersburg and Helsinki, as well as increase traffic speeds on already existing routes.

On July 30, 2009, Sapsan made its first full demonstration trip from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Regular service on this line opened on December 17, 2009.

In December 2011, JSC Russian Railways placed an order with Siemens for eight more Velaro RUS (Sapsan) trains with a total cost (including maintenance) of about 600 million euros. The first train of the new batch arrived in Russia on December 3, 2013, the last - before the end of 2014. A feature of the new trains is the possibility of forming double trains using a system of many units, which allows increasing carrying capacity without increasing the number of pairs of trains.

All electric trains EVS1 and EVS2 arrived from the plant to the multiple unit depot “St. Petersburg - Moskovskoe” (TC-10) of the Oktyabrskaya Railway, located in the village of Metallostroy and specially equipped to carry out their maintenance and repair.

The design speed of the train is 250 km/h, operational speed is limited to 230 km/h. For most of the route Moscow - St. Petersburg, the train travels at a maximum speed of 200 km/h; on the Okulovka - Mstinsky Bridge section - up to 250 km/h. On the route Moscow - Nizhny Novgorod during operation, the train speed was no more than 140 km/h, on the Petushki - Vyazniki section - up to 160 km/h.

One Sapsan flight is served by 24 employees: a driver, an assistant driver, a flight engineer, a train chief, 9 conductors, a cashier, 7 stewards, of which 4 are for business class cars, 2 bistro car waiters and one bartender. Some of them underwent special training in Germany, as well as at the Aviation Personnel Training Center of Aeroflot OJSC, where they were taught foreign languages, first aid medical care and service on board a high-speed train, including aspects of psychology. There are 40 locomotive crews in total. The staff of the train crews of the Sapsan trains consists of 82 conductors and 7 train supervisors.

A ride in the Sapsan electric train on the route St. Petersburg - Moscow. Views from the train window. Recording duration - 1.5 hours

On December 17, 2009, the electric train EVS2-04 made its first commercial flight. On December 18, 2009, regular commercial operation of electric trains began on the route Moscow - St. Petersburg (trains 151/152, 155/156, 165/166). On April 5, 2010, the number of flights was increased to five (trains 159/160, 161/162 were added). On July 30, 2010, commercial operation of electric trains began on the routes Moscow - Nizhny Novgorod (173/174) and St. Petersburg - Moscow - Nizhny Novgorod (173/174 and 175/176, withdrawn from October 31, 2011). Subsequently, the number of regular flights between Moscow and St. Petersburg was increased to seven, and additional trains were also in service. From June 1, 2014, due to changes in the numbering system, all high-speed trains received the 700th numbering, Sapsan trains on the St. Petersburg - Moscow line received numbers in the range 751/752 - 775/776.

The original travel time between the two capitals (650 km) was 3 hours 45 minutes (10 minutes less than best time ER200 on this line). In the future, it was planned to reduce travel time. Currently, travel times vary from 3:30 to 4:15.

In connection with the launch of the Sapsan train, the daily budget train No. 23/24 “Yunost” Moscow - St. Petersburg and a number of electric trains were liquidated. By this, residents of the Tver and Novgorod regions were left without daytime communication with Moscow and St. Petersburg, which caused discontent among passengers. After this, a number of trains in the new schedule introduced stops in Vyshny Volochyok and Okulovka, in addition to those already available in Tver and Bologoye.

Based on the results of six months of operation, the average train occupancy rate was 84%; more than 657 thousand passengers were transported. For the first month, the guest book contains 77 thanks from passengers and 9 complaints about the quality of food.

A number of problems during train operation arise due to the fact that high-speed traffic is organized along railway tracks shared with conventional trains. In this regard, a decision was made to build the first specialized one in Russia. It was assumed that on the new route trains would be able to run at speeds of up to 400 km/h. Completion of construction was planned for 2017.

On August 1, 2014, the first flight of the double Sapsan train, consisting of 20 cars, with a capacity of 1050 passengers, was launched on the route Moscow - St. Petersburg. The total length of the train is more than 500 m, both trains are controlled from the same head cabin.

On November 3, 2016, a new record was set for the number of passengers carried per day. 17,830 people were transported throughout the day using 15 pairs of trains, of which 3 pairs were double trains.

Ticket sales for the route St. Petersburg - Moscow - Nizhny Novgorod opened on June 18, 2010, the first flights with passengers were carried out on July 30, 2010. The traffic intensity was two pairs per day - one pair went from St. Petersburg to Nizhny Novgorod (No. 175/176) and back (No. 173/174) through Moscow's Kursky Station, and from September 6, 2010, the second pair went from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod from Kursky station (No. 172) and back (No. 171). The total travel time is 7 hours 55 minutes from St. Petersburg to Nizhny Novgorod and 3 hours 55 minutes from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod. At the same time, the average speed of the train on the Moscow-Vladimir section was 107 km/h, and on the Vladimir-Nizhny Novgorod section 118 km/h.

Considering the rather low speed of the train on these sections, the launch of the Sapsan electric trains in the direction of Nizhny Novgorod could be justified solely by working on the image of the Russian Railways OJSC company, since according to the technical characteristics, the Burevestnik train, previously operated on this route, can follow similar speeds. In addition, earlier in the year the Burevestnik-2 train covered the distance to Moscow in 4 hours 34 minutes, of which 20 minutes were required to change the electric locomotive in Vladimir, while this train was not transferred by Russian Railways to the high-speed category. The cost of a seat on the Burevestnik-2 train at that time was approximately 500 rubles (which is three times cheaper than economy class on Sapsan), was widely available and comparable to road travel. After the commissioning of the Sapsan train on the Moscow-Nizhny Novgorod section, the Burevestnik-2 train was transferred to the high-speed category; the fare was increased to approximately 1 thousand rubles. This was negatively received by Nizhny Novgorod residents, who lost cheap high-speed flights to the capital and back.

On the territory of the State Railway, covered parking was organized for 4 EMU2 “Sapsan” trains intended to serve the Moscow - Nizhny Novgorod route. Maintenance of trains was carried out at the Nizhny Novgorod-Moskovsky motor car depot.

In the first month from the start of sales, only 800 tickets were issued, while the capacity of one train is 538 seats. According to the deputy head of the Gorky Railway for passenger transportation, Sergei Kalinin, for the Nizhny Novgorod Sapsan to be profitable, the minimum ticket price for it should be 2,300 rubles with 80% car occupancy (while the current tariff is 1,422 rubles in economy class and 3,330 rubles in business class ) .

In 2010, the governor of the region, Valery Shantsev, announced that achieving the level of 1 hour 10 minutes would be possible after the construction of a new high-speed highway. According to the head of the State Railway, Sergei Kozyrev, the duration of the Sapsan trains on the road was supposed to be reduced to 3 hours by the year. In the year, plans were announced for the reconstruction of tracks on certain sections of the existing line by the year in order to increase maximum speed"Sapsanov" on them up to 200 km/h and reduction in travel time, which in the end were never implemented.

In May 2011, it was planned to dismantle the Sapsan high-speed train route Moscow - Nizhny Novgorod railway crossings. The crossings were filmed at the 428th kilometer (Doskino station), at the 397th kilometer (Reshetikha village), at the 388th, 390th and 392nd kilometers (Volodarsk) and at the 377th kilometer (Ilyinogorsk). According to statements by regional authorities, there should have been created for drivers alternative paths, however, public protest and the need for solid financial investments suspended the implementation of this project.

By the summer of 2014, three Sapsan trains and two ES1 Lastochka trains were running on the line. On November 7 of this year, on the Moscow-Nizhny Novgorod line, Sapsan carried its three millionth passenger since its launch.

In 2014, plans were announced to replace the EMU2 Sapsan electric trains on the Moscow-Nizhny Novgorod line with Spanish-made Talgo 250 trains, which were originally intended to operate on the Moscow-Kyiv route, but due to the worsening situation in Ukraine, these plans were disrupted. The replacement of Sapsanov was partly due to the need to increase the number of flights on the Moscow - St. Petersburg line and the unjustification of using the Velaro high-speed train on the Nizhny Novgorod direction, where, due to technical limitations, it could not reach speeds of more than 160 km/h. The new branded trains, made up of Talgo cars, received the brand name “Strizh”. These trains were formed only from intermediate passenger cars without motor head cars, instead of which it was decided to use dual-system electric locomotives EP20 - thus, Talgo cars are not operated as electric trains, but as permanently formed trains with electric locomotive traction.

On June 1, 2015, the EMU2 Sapsan electric trains made their last trips on the Nizhny Novgorod direction: one morning on the Moscow-Nizhny Novgorod route and two (morning and afternoon) on the Nizhny Novgorod-Moscow route, and Swift trains began running instead. All 4 EMU2 electric trains began to be used exclusively on the Moscow - St. Petersburg line, on which, due to the increasing demand for transportation, it was decided to increase the number of flights.

In December 2017, it was announced that from March 1, Sapsan flights on the route St. Petersburg - Nizhny Novgorod would be resumed from March 1, 2018.

On April 30, 2018, the Sapsan train set another record - the maximum (at that time in Russia) figure for the number of passengers transported in high-speed traffic was recorded: 20,787 people per day.

On March 18, 2011, the Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation Igor Levitin said that “the reserves for using existing railway lines for high-speed communication have been exhausted and further development high-speed and high-speed communications will require the construction of dedicated lines.”

The possible lines where Sapsan trains will operate were:

During the operation of Sapsan trains, a number of incidents occurred involving collisions with people crossing the railway tracks. The incidents are largely explained by the lack of convenient crossings across the Oktyabrskaya Railway line in a number of settlements, the number of which decreased with the launch of the high-speed train, as well as the noiselessness of the Sapsan, which made it impossible to know about its approach from afar. Among the reasons for the accidents: the high speed of the train, which local residents are not accustomed to, strong air currents, the noiselessness of the Sapsan compared to other trains, the lack of pedestrian crossings, lack of light and sound alarms, traffic schedules, violation of track crossing rules.

In the first year, more than 20 people died under the wheels of the train. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, at the end of June 2010, at least five people from among the residents of the Moscow, Tver and Novgorod regions died under the wheels of the train. Despite the efforts undertaken in 2010-2011. security measures (construction of fences along the border of the railway right-of-way, equipping pedestrian decks with alarms about the approach of a train, guards on duty at crossings, etc.), the number of cases of high-speed trains hitting people remains high. Thus, in the first six and a half months of 2012, eight people died under the wheels of the Sapsan.

JSC Russian Railways does not publish separate statistics on deaths or injuries on lines used by Sapsan. According to lawyer Igor Trunov, according to information from operational sources, in 2011 alone there were about 60 cases of injury and death.

In several cases of death, the Meshchansky Court of Moscow ordered Russian Railways to pay compensation for moral damage and benefits to the relatives of the victims. Also in winged

Meeting of two EMU “Sapsan” electric trains at Tosno station in the dark. Trains will pass through the station at high speed, thereby representing increased danger for pedestrians

When organizing high-speed traffic, several electric trains were canceled, including the daytime trains N23/24 “Yunost” necessary for interregional communication and the express electric train N813/814 (re-assigned at the end of 2012, under the numbers 807/808, 809/810). As a result, during the daytime it became impossible to travel from Moscow to a number of cities on the Moscow-Petersburg line (Vyshny Volochek, Bologoe, Okulovka and others) with anything other than Sapsan. At the same time, the cost of a trip on the Sapsan is 4-5 times higher than on the canceled trains. Crossings across the tracks were blocked, and the closing time for crossings increased significantly. This caused discontent among residents of the Tver region and Mikhail Blinkin in this regard called the Sapsan “a train with a flashing light.”

According to M. Govyazin, the lawyer of the Sapsan who died under the wheels of the Sapsan, the train “goes so fast and appears so silently that it pulls things, small animals, and people off the platform. This danger zone largely depends on the speed at which the train rushes past the platform, and ranges from 3 to 5 meters. And our platforms are 4.5 meters wide.” “We have testimony from two eyewitnesses who saw Govyazin sitting on the edge of the platform with his legs dangling. In addition, the examination showed that there was 1.9 ppm of ethanol in his blood, that is, he was in a state of moderate intoxication,” RAPSI quotes Russian Railways lawyer Anton Melnikov. He also asked the court to include in the case expert opinion. It concerns whether a person can be pulled under the wheels of a train by the air flow. It directly follows from the text of the conclusion that this is impossible. Conclusion: drunk Govyazin himself fell under the wheels of the speeding Sapsan.

Igor Trunov, lawyer for the family of A. Bogdanov, who died under the wheels of a train, said: “The movement of the train is accompanied by a powerful air wave. Experts say that the danger zone is five meters, and the width of the railway platform is 4 meters 60 centimeters. The train raises a powerful vortex flow, which carries both things and people from the platform. The air wave from the flying Sapsan lifts gravel from the path and even rocks electric trains.” He believes that “The Sapsan rushes almost silently - a white dot appears on the horizon, and within a couple of seconds a white arrow flies past. The vortex flows are so strong that Alexei was dragged under the train and literally smeared across the railway track. There is practically nothing left of the boy." Representatives of Russian Railways referred to the autopsy data that 0.4 ppm of ethyl alcohol was found in the teenager’s blood. As a rule, the cause of death of people under the wheels of trains is their violation of safety rules while on the tracks, often while intoxicated. There is no scientifically proven evidence that a high-speed train can “drag” a person or thing under the body.