Sapsan
Russian gauge high speed electric express train
title: "Sapsan" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["electric-multiple-units-of-russia", "siemens-velaro", "high-speed-rail-in-russia", "high-speed-trains-of-russia", "named-passenger-trains-of-russia", "passenger-trains-running-at-least-at-250-km/h-in-commercial-operations", "railway-services-introduced-in-2009", "3000-v-dc-multiple-units", "25-kv-ac-multiple-units"] description: "Russian gauge high speed electric express train" topic_path: "geography/russia" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapsan" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Russian gauge high speed electric express train ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox Train"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | EVS1/EVS2 Sapsan |
| image | ЭВС2-02.JPG |
| imagesize | 300px |
| caption | Siemens Velaro RUS (Sapsan) en route from Moscow to Saint Petersburg |
| family | Siemens Velaro |
| manufacturer | Siemens |
| operator | Russian Railways |
| formation | 10 / 20 cars |
| uicclass | Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′ +2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′ |
| lines | October Railway |
| Moscow Railway | |
| Gorky Railway | |
| service | 2009–present |
| weight | 667 t |
| trainlength | 250 m |
| carlength | 25.535 m / 24.175 m |
| width | 3.265 m |
| height | 4.4 m |
| floorheight | 1.36 m |
| platformheight | 1100-1300 mm |
| 200-550 mm (EVS2 only; delivery in 2015 onward) | |
| capacity | 604 / 1208 |
| maxspeed | {{ubl |
| {{Convert | 250 |
| {{Convert | 350 |
| traction | Asynchronous induction motors |
| poweroutput | 8000 kW |
| tractiveeffort | 328 kN (starting) |
| 296 kN | |
| @ 97 km/h (continuous) | |
| gauge | |
| electricsystem | EVS1: 3 kV DC |
| EVS2 (dual voltage units): | |
| 3 kV DC / | |
| Overhead catenary | |
| collectionmethod | Pantograph |
| safety | KLUB-U |
| :: |
| name = EVS1/EVS2 Sapsan | image = ЭВС2-02.JPG | imagesize = 300px | caption = Siemens Velaro RUS (Sapsan) en route from Moscow to Saint Petersburg | family = Siemens Velaro | manufacturer = Siemens | operator = Russian Railways | formation = 10 / 20 cars | uicclass = Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′ +2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′ | lines = October Railway Moscow Railway Gorky Railway | stocktype = | service = 2009–present | weight = 667 t | trainlength = 250 m | carlength = 25.535 m / 24.175 m | width = 3.265 m | height = 4.4 m | floorheight = 1.36 m | platformheight = 1100-1300 mm 200-550 mm (EVS2 only; delivery in 2015 onward) | capacity = 604 / 1208 | maxspeed = {{ubl|class=nowrap| |Service: |250 km/h |Upgradeable to: |350 km/h | traction = Asynchronous induction motors | poweroutput = 8000 kW | tractiveeffort = 328 kN (starting) 296 kN @ 97 km/h (continuous) | gauge = | powersupply = | electricsystem = EVS1: 3 kV DC EVS2 (dual voltage units): 3 kV DC / Overhead catenary | collectionmethod = Pantograph | safety = KLUB-U The Sapsan (, ), also known as Velaro RUS EVS, is a Russian gauge high speed electric express train. The train is a Siemens Velaro model, which in turn is based on the ICE 3M/F high-speed trains manufactured by Siemens Mobility for Russian Railways (RZD). The trains started regular service on the Saint Petersburg–Moscow Railway in December 2009, at a maximum speed of 250 km/h and journey time of four hours between Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
On 22 March 2022, following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Siemens suspended its contract to supply additional trainsets, as well as announcing it would end maintenance and other services from 13 May 2022, with Russian Railways stepping in to continue their maintenance.
Construction history
On 18 May 2006, Siemens and Russian Railways signed a €276 million order for eight high-speed trains with a 30-year service contract worth around €300 million. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/Sapsan_Museum_of_Moscow_Railway.JPG" caption="[[OO gauge]] [[model railway]] featuring the ''Sapsan'' train on the [[Moscow – Saint Petersburg Railway]] and [[Moscow]] to [[Nizhny Novgorod]] Railway in the [[Museum of the Moscow Railway]], Moscow."] ::
The trains were ordered to connect Moscow with Saint Petersburg and later Nizhny Novgorod at a speed of up to 250 km/h. They are derived from the German ICE 3 train but with bodies widened by 330 mm to 3,265 mm to suit Russia's wide loading gauge. Four of the trains (EVS2) are equipped for both 3 kV DC and operation. The total length of each ten-car train is 250 m, carrying up to 600 passengers.
Development and construction were carried out by Siemens at Erlangen and Krefeld in Germany. In August 2009, it was announced that the fifth Sapsan had been delivered to Russia, of the eight that were planned.
Four single-voltage ("EVS1", 3 kV DC powered, trainsets 5-8) trains entered passenger service at the end of 2009 on the Moscow – St Petersburg route, with the dual-system trains (EVS2, trainsets 1-4) entering service on the Nizhny Novgorod route on 30 July 2010.
Sapsan set records for the fastest train in Russia on 2 May 2009, travelling at 281 km/h and on 7 May 2009, travelling at 290 km/h.
On 19 December 2011, a €600 million order for an additional twenty trainsets including eight EVS2 sets was signed in order to facilitate an increased number of services on existing lines and the expansion of new service elsewhere in the system. The second-batch EVS1 sets (trainsets 9-20) will be same details as the first-batch EVS1 sets, but the second-batch EVS2 sets (trainsets 21 onward) will have retractable steps suited for low platforms, unlike the first-batch EVS2 sets.
Operations
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/ЭВС1-10+ЭВС1-??.jpg" caption="500 meters version on a route [[Moscow]] — [[Saint Petersburg"] ::
According to the timetable valid from 30 October 2011, the direct train from Moscow to St Petersburg without intermediate stops needs 3 hours 40 minutes, the train from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod 3 hours 55 minutes.
Introduction of Sapsan initially caused cancelation of affordable daytime trains between Moscow and St Petersburg. Since the end of 2012, Moscow – St Petersburg daytime trains other than Sapsan have been running again.
New bridge crossings were built, platforms along the railway were reconstructed and an additional track was completed in 2015. New Lastochka commuter trains were introduced on the Moscow – Tver and St Petersburg – Bologoye routes. Local trains in the rural areas were saved.
Wagon layout
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Sapsan_komponovka.jpg]]
"]
::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Auslieferung_velaro_rus_sassnitz.jpg" caption="Intermediate carriages of the Sapsan electric train in a decoupled state"] ::
Top — single-system train of the EVS1 series with direct current of 3 kV (version B1) Bottom — dual-system train of the EVS2 series with direct current of 3 kV and alternating current of 25 kV and 50 Hz (version B2)
- ГПм — head carriage, first class, motor, 23 seats (including four in the VIP section) + a three-seat sofa.
- ГТм — head carriage, passenger (third) class, motor, 51 seats (including 7 in the children's section) + baby cradle.
- ДБ — throttle, business (second) class, trailer, 52 seats.
- ДТ — throttle, passenger class, trailer, 99 seats.
- Т — passenger class, trailer, 66 seats.
- ТТр — passenger class, with transformer for alternating current, trailer, 66 seats.
- Тм — passenger class, motor, 66 seats,
- Та — passenger class, battery-powered, brake resistors on the roof, trailer, 60 seats.
- ТаБ — passenger class, battery-powered, brake resistors on the roof, with a bistro (restaurant), trailer, 40 seats + tables at the bar.
From 1 July 2018, a new class of service will appear in Sapsan carriage № 4 (14) — basic with a reduced cost and without additional services. According to the project, the carriage will have 66 seats.
Route
Moscow – Saint Petersburg route
The first and the only (since 2015) route for Sapsan trains.
Moscow (Leningradsky railway terminal) – Tver* (756A, 762A, 770A, 778A, 780A)* – Vyshny Volochyok* (758A, 768A, 776A)* – Bologoye* (756A, 762A, 770A, 778A, 780A, 784A)* – Uglovka* (758A, 760A, 768A, 778A)* – Okulovka* (758A, 760A, 768A, 778A)* – Chudovo* (756A, 758A, 768A, 776A, 780A, 784A, 786A)* – Saint Petersburg (Moskovsky railway terminal)
There are no Sapsan trains stopping at all stations on the route. The fastest ones do not stop between Moscow and Saint Petersburg at all. Numbers of the trains which stop at intermediate stations are listed above. Such measures were implemented to increase speed.
Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod route
Former route of Sapsan trains. Since 2015, new Talgo Strizh trains were introduced. All of the Sapsans were subsequently used on the Moscow – St Petersburg route.
Saint Petersburg – Nizhny Novgorod route
On 1 March 2018, Russian Railways reopened the discontinued Saint Petersburg – Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod route which allows passengers to take an 8 hour 11 minute journey without a train change in Moscow.
::data[format=table]
| Saint Petersburg—Moskovsky - Nizhny Novgorod—Moskovsky | 1090 km | ** EVS2 ** | Due to technical limitations, speeds greater than 160 km/h on the Moscow-Nizhny Novgorod section were not possible | 30.07.2010 — 01.06.2015 | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| :: |
Tickets
On 1 July 2012, the Russian Railways company introduced a new tariff system for Sapsan trains which dynamically prices tickets based on two factors:
- The date of sale of the ticket,
- Percentage of occupied seats on the train.
The new rates range from 0.8 to 1.2 times the base rate for the day. It is possible to see the final price of a ticket for a specific date during the booking process.
Image
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/RZD_Sapsan.svg" caption="RZD ''Sapsan'' route"] ::
References
References
- "A beginner's guide to train travel in Russia". The Man in Seat 61.
- link. (23 July 2009). Fontanka
- (22 March 2022). "Siemens suspended the contract for the supply of new Sapsan electric trains". [[Novaya Gazeta]].
- (12 May 2022). "Siemens to wind down Russian business".
- (12 May 2022). "Russian Railways will ensure further maintenance of Sapsan, Lastochka high-speed trains".
- (6 June 2006). "Velaro RUS to St Petersburg". [[Railway Gazette International]].
- "Use Sapsan High Speed Train between Moscow and St. Petersburg".
- [http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/broad-gauge-velaro-fleet-relaunches-russias-high-speed-programme.html Broad-gauge Velaro fleet relaunches Russia's high speed programme]. ''[[Railway Gazette International]]'' November 2006.
- (10 August 2009). "The fifth ''Sapsan'' train has been delivered to Russia". Fontanka.ru.
- (2 August 2010). "Sapsan reaches Nizhny Novgorod". [[Railway Gazette International]].
- (7 May 2009). "Sapsan claims Russian rail speed record". [[Railway Gazette International]].
- 8 EVS1 sets delivery in 2014, 4 EVS1 and 8 EVS2 sets delivery in 2015.
- (20 December 2011). "Russian Railways orders eight more Sapsan trains". [[Railway Gazette International]].
- (19 December 2011). "Russian Railways orders more high-speed trains from Siemens". Siemens.com.
- Titko. Alisa. link. Komsomolskaya Pravda. (1 October 2015)
- link. rasp.yandex.ru
- link. rasp.yandex.ru
- "В «Сапсанах» появятся бюджетные вагоны". РБК.
- link. rasp.yandex.ru
- link. mir24.tv. (12 December 2017)
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