A class ChS2T electric locomotive is a huge machine. They were a design by Škoda Works of
Czechoslovakia, built 1971-99. The type is used by the Russian and Ukrainian state railways and the very similar ChS4 type
also by the Belarus state railways. ChS2 is the DC current version
and the same locomotive for AC power is ChS4. The basic design of the locomotive is already from the 1950s but the version
in this picture was produced in Plzen at the V.I.Lenin plant of Škoda since 1971.
Picture from the Ladoga station in St. Petersburg 30.5.2017 by Markku Salo.
Two class EP1 electric locomotives in front of an express train. The model EP1 has been built in three series by the Nowotscherkassk
locomotive factories since 1999. It is a six axle (three two axle bogies) machine for 25kV AC generating 4400 kW of power.
Picture from Habarovsk 8.7.2016 by Timo Varshukov.
Two more class EP1 locomotives. These machines are for example used in the long running St Petersburg to Murmansk
express trains.
Picture from Petrozavodsk (Petroskoi) 11.7.2015 by Timo Varshukov.
The class EP1M is a further development of the earlier and wide spread class EP1 shown above. These EP1M locomotives have been produced by
the Novotscherkassk factories since 2006. Here it is seen hauling a night train from Izhevsk to Nishny Novgorod.
Picture from Izhevsk 26.11.2018 by Markku Salo.
A class EP20 new electric locomotive in front of a Talgo train, ready to leave towards Moscow. The EP20
machines are built by Transmashholding's Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant and they are jointly developed by Alstom and
Transmashholding. The basic technology in the locomotive is French.
Picture from Nizhny Novgorod 28.11.2018 by Markku Salo.
The class VL80 (Vladimir Lenin 80) is an old Soviet Russian double locomotive, used mainly in heavy cargo traffic.
It is a double locomotive type, but the halves are totally independent of each other and therefore they are often
used like here: We have in the picture 3 units or 1,5 locomotives of this type hauling a very heavy coal train.
The first VL80 locomotives were built in 1961 and the last ones in 1995.
Picture of VL 80 subtype VL80S 10.4.2018 by Aleksander Neudakhin.
A class VL80 subtype VL80K locomotive in the original Soviet green painting. The main difference between the
original VL80 and VL80K is that the old VL80 had liquid mercury arc rectifiers, whereas in VL80K uses modern
silicon rectifiers.
Picture of VL 80 subtype VL80K 23.4.2018 by Aleksander Neudakhin.
Another picture of the same VL80K no.495.
Picture of VL 80 subtype VL80K 23.4.2018 by Aleksander Neudakhin.
A VL80S in the newest livery of RZD. The subtype S is a so called Multiple Unit System, allowing several
locomotives to be simultaneously controlled from the leading locomotive's cab.
Picture of VL 80 subtype VL80S 7.5.2018 by Aleksander Neudakhin.
One and a half units of VL80S in winter with a long coal train.
Picture of VL 80 subtype VL80S 30.11.2018 by Aleksander Neudakhin.
The same train as above, seen from the other side.
Picture of VL 80 subtype VL80S 30.11.2018 by Aleksander Neudakhin.
VL80 subtype T was built 1961 to 1980. Compared with the original VL80 this type had a totally redesigned
electrical system and a new anti-wheelslip system.
Picture of VL 80 subtype VL80T 11.5.2018 by Aleksander Neudakhin.
A fixed Talgo train composition. Talgo is a Spanish company, which has for many years been producing these fixed
train compositions, so called Talgo trains. The coaches are shorter than normal and instead of normal bogies, the coaches have just individual
axles which are adjustable so that the train can adapt itself to various gauge widths. These Russian Talgo trains can run on both Western
European normal gauge 1435 mm tracks as well as Russian broad gauge 1520 mm.
Picture from Nizhny Novgorod 28.11.2018 by Markku Salo.
The axles of Talgo trains are located between the short coaches and they are adjustable in width.
Picture from Nizhny Novgorod 28.11.2018 by Markku Salo.
The Russian state railways RZD uses the marketing name Strizh (swallow) for its low-floor, high-speed Talgo trains.
They are used between Nizhny Novgorod and Moscow as well as Berlin (Germany) and Moscow.
Picture from Nizhny Novgorod 28.11.2018 by Markku Salo.
Talgo train compositions have specialised generator coaches at their ends so that the train's air conditioning as well
as the kitchen machinery work even when no locomotive is connected to the train.
Picture from Nizhny Novgorod 28.11.2018 by Markku Salo.
Inside a Russian Strizh Talgo train. This is a first class coach.
Picture from Nizhny Novgorod 28.11.2018 by Markku Salo.
The bar / restaurant of a Russian Strizh Talgo train.
Picture from Nizhny Novgorod 28.11.2018 by Markku Salo.
A new regional train, this is the so called "Lastochka". It is a train designed by Siemens, based on the Siemens model Desiro ML (mainline).
The initial Lastochkas were made by Siemens in Germany, but more have also been produced in Russia by Ural Locomotives. The Lastochkas come in five
varieties (number after type indicates no. of seats/places): ES1 regional: 449, ES1 intercity: 340, ES2G suburban: 386, ES2G city-urban: 346, ES2GP
intercity: 326. ES2G and ES2GP versions are made in Russia and for 3kV DC only.
This train is of the initial type ES1, made by Siemens. Picture from Petrozavodsk (Petroskoi) station 10.7.2015 by Timo Varshukov.
The same Siemens Es1 train as in the picture above, but seen from a bridge over the rails.
Picture from Petrozavodsk (Petroskoi) station 10.7.2015 by Timo Varshukov.
Still the same five coach Siemens Es1 train as in the pictures above.
Picture from Petrozavodsk (Petroskoi) station 10.7.2015 by Timo Varshukov.
Passengers queueing to get in into a class ED9M electric commuter train. ED9M is a 25 kV AC type with a top speed of 130 km/h, built by the
Demichowo factories. This is a purely short-haul commuter train. In the background the same Es1 unit as in the pictures above can be seen and quite
next to the ED9M a blue TEM2 diesel is pushing some express train coaches onto the platform behind.
Picture from Petrozavodsk (Petroskoi) station 10.7.2015 by Timo Varshukov.
In 2008 these same ED9M trains were still in their original blue colours and the Moscow to Murmansk express train coaches
were also dark green as they used to be throughout the communist times.
Picture from Petrozavodsk (Petroskoi) station 31.5.2008 by Ilkka Siissalo.
This class ER2 local commuter train is already a very old train, but it has apparently very recently gotten a new painting.
These units were built in the beginning of the 1960s at the factory RVR in Riga, Latvia. The round form of the front tells that this is one of the
very earliest ER2s, all the newer ones have a more modern front design. A similar train with its original green communist time painting and with its
original wooden hard furniture inside is displayed at the railway museum in Riga. For a picture, see the section of Latvia in this archive.
This picture was taken at the Finnish station (Finljandski vokzal) in St Petersburg by Markku Salo 22.8.2018.
