OREANDA-NEWS. June 06, 2012.  Vladimir Yakunin, President of Russian Railways, and Siim Kallas, Vice-President of the European Commission, took part in a dynamic presentation of the Lastochka electric train given between Adler Station and Sochi Station on 30 May 2012. Also taking part were representatives of the Russian government and foreign partners of the Russian Railways Holding.

The Lastochka electric trains will be used to transport passengers during the Summer Universiade in Kazan in 2013 and the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi in 2014.

"The very design of the new rolling stock, the very transportation ideology, indicate our efforts to meet the requirements of modern passengers. This rolling stock is a hallmark of Russian Railways in the field of passenger transportation," said Vladimir Yakunin.

The electric Lastochka trains are designed for suburban passenger traffic on Russia’s railways and can reach a maximum speed of 160 kph and operate at ambient temperatures from +40 ° C to -40 ° C without any particular problems. In addition to a wide temperature range, the Lastochka can operate in different climate zones and employs techniques and technologies such as sealed insulation components and local heating and drainage systems to eliminate the accumulation of ice, snow and condensation in different parts of the rolling stock.

Each Lastochka train will consist of 5 carriages. The design of the passenger compartments ensures the safety of passengers when they are moving about the cabin.

The seating arrangement in the passenger compartment is 2+3. The elements of the ceiling form an upper decorative completion of the passenger compartment’s interior and contain integrated lighting, speakers, electrical lines and air vents for the air-conditioning system. The sanitary and hygienic units are located in the train’s main carriages and are designed for easy use by passengers with disabilities.

For transporting skis during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, each main carriage next to the rear exterior entry door has a special hinged bracket to prevent skis from falling while the train is in motion. In addition to the luggage shelves, the Lastochka also has two additional luggage racks specially for the transportation of bulky luggage in every carriage.

According to Vladimir Yakunin, during the 2014Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, passengers will be carried on the railways lines between Adler - Sochi Airport and Sochi - Adler - Alpika Service - Olympic Park.

After the Games, some of the trains will remain in the service of North-Caucasus Railways as a symbol of the Olympics. The remaining trains will be sent to Moscow to operate on the lines connecting the capital’s train stations and airports.

Vladimir Yakunin, Siim Kallas and representatives from the Russian government and foreign partners of the Russian Railways Holding also inspected a carriage of the latest model of the 61-4445.04 long-distance passenger train made by the Tver Carriage Works. This model is in serial production for the Federal Passenger Company and used as a staff carriage in Federal Passenger Company trains.

The GLONASS satellite navigation system which is installed in this type of carriage is used to improve the safety and efficiency of rail passenger transport.

The carriage has Internet access and is equipped with an automatic passenger embarkation control system which confirms the electronic registration. In addition, there are several innovations, such as a playpen and a new set of tea products, a water cooler and a coffee machine.

Participants in the presentation highlighted the spacious compartment for passengers with disabilities, which is equipped with a wide berth and an electronic board to present information in large letters for the visually impaired.

In order to ensure a comfortable journey for passengers with disabilities, the carriage is also equipped with a lift, which greatly simplifies the embarkation process.