OREANDA-NEWS. On April 02, 2009 Vladimir Yakunin, President of Russian Railways, announced the investment plan during working visit to the Tver Coach Works by a Company delegation, reported the press-centre of Russian Railways.

“Last year it was decided to manufacture RIC coaches for international routes at the Tver Carriage Works. This will be the first time in the history of domestic coach building that coaches satisfying all international requirements and standards will be made in Russia,” said the President of Russian Railways.

At present, Russian Railways has a RIC coach fleet of 232 units, but with depreciation now standing at around 80%, manufacturing new coaches is an important task in the Company’s renewal of its rolling stock. This year will see the development of design documentation required for the production of the RIC coaches.

The RIC coaches to be developed and produced at the Tver Coach Works will meet all the requirements of the International Union of Railways on environmental performance, passenger comfort, fire safety and traffic safety. The coaches will be capable of speeds of up to 200 kmph, but after modernization, speeds can be increased to 250 kmph. The coaches will have a service life of 40 years.