OREANDA-NEWS.  September 24, 2012. Vladimir Yakunin, President of Russian Railways, has taken part in the international exhibition InnoTrans 2012, which opened in Berlin. The event brings together leading manufacturers of rail equipment, shipping and forwarding companies, train operators and representatives of state transport regulators. The Russian Railways’ delegation was headed by Company President Vladimir Yakunin, reported the press-centre of RZD.

During the exhibition, a "Railway Leaders’ Summit 2012" was held. Speakers included the heads of railways in France, Brazil, Germany, Switzerland and Qatar, as well as Siim Kallas, Vice-President and Commissioner for Transport at the European Commission, Maxim Sokolov, Russia’s Minister of Transport, and Peter Ramsauer, Germany’s Minister of Transport, Construction and Urban Development. The participants discussed the development of railway infrastructure, improvements in the interoperability of technical systems and the establishment of effective supply chains to speed up freight deliveries.

Speaking at a podium discussion at the Summit, the head of Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin outlined the Company’s major construction projects now underway in preparation for the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi in 2014 and the modernisation of the existing rail system.

He also noted that holding the World Cup in Russia in 2018 was a serious challenge for the country’s transportation system. Russian Railways has been commissioned to design and develop high-speed rail links between the cities where the matches will be held. In the near future, the Russian government will make a decision on the financing the project.

During the Summit, Vladimir Yakunin also stressed the need for increased government support in developing rail transport in general.

Later, Vladimir Yakunin, Russia’s Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov and the CEO of the Rail Systems Division, Sector Infrastructure & Cities at Siemens, Hans-Jorg Grundmann, took part in a presentation of the Lastochka (Desiro Rus) electric train at a demonstration site.

In 2014, these electric trains will provide transport services for the participants and visitors at the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.

The Lastochka can travel at speeds of up to 160 kph, consists of 5 carriages and has a total capacity of more than 800 people. Its main advantage lies in its special design and technology, which enable most of the traction equipment to be placed on the roof of the carriages. This solution simplifies maintenance trains and increases passenger capacity by 20%.

Vladimir Yakunin said that the Lastochka was an excellent example of cooperation between Russian Railways and Siemens in developing and manufacturing rolling stock. The new electric trains combine innovative technology, safety, modern design and comfort.

The Lastochka is currently undergoing certification and trials. It will come into operation in controlled commercial operations in late 2012 in order to test its reliability in winter weather conditions and in 2013 will begin operating directly in the Sochi region, which will host the Olympic Winter Games in 2014.