OREANDA-NEWS. From 2 June 2007, Oktober Railways will begin to operate a special steam-powered retro-train service from St. Petersburg’s Vitebsk Station, the oldest in Russia, to Pavlovsk via Tsarskoe Selo, reported the press-centre of  Russian Railways.

Passengers can take part in an excursion around Tsarskoe Selo, a residence of the imperial family, and admire the interior of the Yekaterinsk Palace and see the the Amber Room, the eighth wonder of the world.

In accordance with the client’s wishes, the train can include restaurant and buffet cars (on the branded train the Nikolaevsk Express) and saloon coaches, whose interiors are done in the style of the Nikolaevsk Express. The locomotives were built between 1903-1947 and the coaches are in style typical of the beginning of the last century although all coaches are fitted with modern air conditioning, comfortable compartments, a kitchen with modern equipment, audio and video systems with karaoke and a large saloon for negotiations or dinner with friends etc. The staff are dressed in uniforms from the pre-revolutionary period.

In 2007, it is planned to operate regular retro-train services from Vitebsk Station in St. Petersburg to Tsarskoe Selo on the following Saturdays: 2, 16 and 30 June, 14 and 28 July and 11 and 25 August, departing from St. Petersburg at 10:30 and returning to Vitebsk Station at 17:30.

However, large passenger groups and tourist agencies can also book trains at any time they wish.