OREANDA-NEWS. April 21, 2008. In April 2008, the Tver Carriage Works (TVZ) received certificates for two new models of passenger coaches of the 4440 series: 61-4440 (compartment car of various modifications), and 61-4447 (open-plan car), reported the press-centre of TVZ.

The certificate tests of the new cars were performed by VNIIJT (the Railway Transport Research Institute), VNIIZJG (the Railway Hygiene Research Institute ), and TIV (Tver Institute of Carriage Building) since 2007.

The certificate will let the TVZ to launch a batch production of the new series of coaches meeting the current sanitary standards, demands for safety and high level of comfort for passengers.

In July, the first coaches are scheduled for shipment to the customer, the Federal Passenger Directorate (a subsidiary of the JSC Russian Railways). The 61-4440 and 61-4447 coaches have a number of advantages over the rail cars currently in production:

better noise insulation of car body and new undercarriage (with bolsterless bogies);

car bodies are made of corrosion-resistant steels for service life increased from 28 to 40 years, and decreased labor intensiveness and cost of overhauls during service;

flat-corrugated covering of body sides (first in Russia);

cars are 1,000 mm longer for better ergonomics;

better interior design (internal finishing is made of thermal-shaped plastic);

modern and wider berths transformed into club sofas in compartment cars;

distance between higher and lower berths is now larger;

new sets of front and side doors making cars suitable for operating temperatures between -50 and +50.

The new coaches are also fitted with environmentally friendly water-vacuum toilets available at any time. They have a heating and air conditioning system, and a fire alarm and fighting system. The new cars are safer.

The passengers can timely receive the necessary information and feel more comfortable during the journey due to information displays and video/audio systems with individual volume controls.

There are 244 coaches of the type scheduled by the TVZ for production in 2008: 239 compartment cars, type 61-4440, five open-plan cars, model 61-4447. All the coaches will be shipped to the Federal Passenger Directorate.

Another two models of the 4440 series are expected to join the series late in 2008: 61-4445 staff compartment car and 61-4458 saloon car with seats.

The new series has a framework platform for faster development, certification, and productionizing of new derivatives satisfying the customer requirements.