OREANDA-NEWS. February 02, 2012. Valentin Gapanovich, Senior Vice President of Russian Railways, took part in the acceptance of the first Lastochka electric train for the Winter Olympics in Sochi. "Lastochka" is Russian for the bird "swallow", reported the press-centre of RZD.

The acceptance took place at the Siemens AG factory in Krefeld in Germany.

Russian Railways commissioned еhe train, which is intended to provide passenger services during the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi in 2014.

The first Lastochka electric train will arrive at the depot Metallostroy in St. Petersburg in Russia in March this year. Experts from Siemens will be present to accompany the launch and make any necessary adjustments. During 2012, the Lastochka will undergo certification tests on Russia’s railway network.

This train will be the first of the 38 Desiro trains which were ordered by Russian Railways in 2009. Production began at Siemens AG in Germany in April 2011. Russian Railways ordered another 16 trains in September 2010.

In September 2011, Russian Railways and Siemens AG signed contracts for the production of 1,200 carriages for the Lastochka electric trains (Desiro RUS) and the maintenance of 54 trains in the same series.

From 2013, trains will be manufactured at Ural Locomotives LLC, a joint venture between the Sinara Group and Siemens AG, at production facilities in the town of Upper Pyshma in Sverdlovsk region.

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The Desiro model was developed by Siemens AG and is designed for commuter traffic. The Desiro can reach speeds of up to 160 kph, provides high levels of comfort for both passengers and staff, is equipped with a passive passenger safety system and uses 30% less energy than the electric trains currently in operation.

The Lastochka design is based on the Desiro ML model and has been specially adapted to Russian conditions, which include not only the capability to operate at air temperatures below -40 °C, but also adapting the carriage trucks and bogies to the 1520 mm broad gauge track.

The first Lastochka trains will come into service to provide passenger services in Kazan and Sochi in 2013. In February 2014, they will bring athletes and spectators to the mountain venues during the Winter Olympic Games. It is also planned to use these trains during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.