OREANDA-NEWS. August 03, 2009. Russian Railways’ high-speed Sapsan train completed its first demonstration journey on the route Moscow - St. Petersburg.

Taking part in the trip were Russian Railways (RZD) president Vladimir Yakunin, St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matviyenko, representatives of Siemens, other officials, and reporters from leading Russian and foreign media outlets.

The train traveled along the route at speeds ranging from 160 to 250 km/h.

The Sapsan, a high-speed electric train of the Velaro RUS series, produced by Siemens Transportation Systems, has a maximum speed of 250 km/h.

The launch of the Sapsan train will bring the journey time from Moscow St. Petersburg down to 3 hours 45 minutes. Currently the fastest train travel time is 4 hours 30 minutes. The average time for travel from Moscow to St. Petersburg by plane (including trips to and from the airport, flight registration, and flying time) is at least 5 hours.

As part of the first demonstration journey on the high-speed Sapsan train from Moscow to St. Petersburg, a conference was held on "Implementing the strategy for the innovative development of the Russian transport complex: rail transport".

RZD president Vladimir Yakunin, St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matviyenko, representatives of Siemens, RZD and Transmashholding, and other officials took part in the conference.

RZD president Vladimir Yakunin said: "The involvement of Russian scientists and specialists in the Sapsan production project provides a good impetus to the introduction of cutting-edge innovation technology to Russian industry."

He said that foreign producers of transport machinery have declared their willingness to shift train production to Russia if orders for trains are increased, and that this applies not only to Siemens.

"Today we can speak of Russian Railways not only as a large transport company, but as an innovative environment, open to both Russian and foreign business partners," Yakunin said.

At midday the train arrived at the Metallostroy depot, where the ceremonial opening of a complex for technical servicing of high-speed trains and a viewing of the depot took place.

"Here at the Metallostroy depot, many devices and areas of technology are being used for the first time," Vladimir Yakunin said in a speech at the opening of the complex. "In particular, entirely new devices for changing the bogies on electrical trains are being used for the first time in Russia, and an original device for changing wheels is being used for the first time in the world."

The management of RZD has set a goal for specialists at the depot – to make the October Railway the best in Europe, adopting all of the most advanced experience. In line with the contract between RZD and Siemens, the German company will be responsible for all technical servicing, which will be conducted to European standards.