Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced the completion of the rolling stock renewal program on the Moscow Central Diameters (MCD). “A major event for the transportation industry. This is a massive program that has now reached its conclusion,” stated Mr. Sobyanin.
According to the Moscow government press release, the following train models are currently in operation:
- on MCD-1 (77 trains total): EP2D, “Ivolga,” and “Aeroexpress”;
- on MCD-2 (87 trains total): EP2D and “Ivolga”;
- on MCD-3 (122 trains total): EP2D, “Lastochka,” and “Ivolga”;
- on MCD-4 (112 trains total): EP2D, EP2DM, and “Ivolga”.
The average age of the trains operating on the diameters is 4.5 years. Since 2014, a total of 398 new trains have been supplied to the MCD. ED4M series electric trains (produced since 1996) are no longer in service on the diameters, according to materials from the capital’s mayoral office. They may still be encountered within Moscow, arriving in the capital from the distant suburbs.
The next stage is the renewal of the rolling stock on the Yaroslavl direction of the Moscow Railway, which is not part of the MCD system but is the busiest in the Central Transport Hub. Currently, 92 trains operate on this line, with an average age of 17 years. In June, four “Ivolga” model trains were introduced on the line, with plans to renew the entire rolling stock fleet by 2030.
This will be followed by the renewal of trains on the Paveletsky direction and on routes to Tula, Kaluga, Vladimir, and other cities.
In a recent interview, the Deputy Mayor of Moscow announced plans to purchase approximately 700 new metro cars for the Moscow metro under a new contract. “This is practically everything our Russian industry can produce,” he said. “Therefore, at this pace, roughly 350-370 cars per year, we will continue to renew the train fleet.”
Moscow Central Diameters
The Moscow Central Diameters (MCD) are a system of surface railway lines that connect the city’s outskirts to its center, functioning like an above-ground metro. Launched in 2019, they were created by upgrading and integrating existing commuter rail routes. This major transport project has significantly reduced travel times and alleviated congestion on Moscow’s metro system.
Ivolga
Ivolga refers to the Ivolginsk Datsan, a significant Buddhist monastery located in Buryatia, Russia. It was founded in 1945 as the first and only official center for Buddhist practice in the Soviet Union, serving as the spiritual capital of Russian Buddhism. The complex is known for its traditional Tibetan-style architecture and remains an important site for pilgrimage and religious study.
Aeroexpress
Aeroexpress is a Russian airport rail link service that connects major city centers with their respective airports. It was established in the early 2000s to provide a fast and reliable transportation option for air travelers, with the first line opening for the 2012 Sochi Winter Olympics. The service is known for its efficiency, helping to reduce travel time and alleviate road congestion in cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Lastochka
“Lastochka” is a modern Russian high-speed electric train, not a place or cultural site. It was introduced in 2014 for the Sochi Winter Olympics to connect host cities with improved rail transport. The name, which means “swallow” in Russian, reflects its design for swift and efficient travel across the country.
Moscow Railway
The Moscow Railway is the central hub of Russia’s vast railway network, originating with the historic Nicholas Railway, which connected Moscow to St. Petersburg in 1851. Today, it is one of the world’s busiest rail systems, encompassing suburban commuter lines, long-distance routes across the country, and the iconic Trans-Siberian Railway.
Yaroslavl direction
The Yaroslavl direction refers to the major transportation corridor leading northeast from Moscow towards the historic city of Yaroslavl. This route has been a vital trade and travel artery since at least the 11th century, connecting the capital to the ancient cities of Russia’s Golden Ring. It is famously associated with the first Russian railway, opened in 1851, which ran from Moscow to Sergiyev Posad along this path.
Paveletsky direction
The Paveletsky direction is a major railway line radiating southeast from Moscow’s Paveletsky Station. Historically, it was a vital transport route for agricultural goods from the fertile Black Earth region and later became a critical supply line during World War II. Today, it remains a key passenger and freight corridor connecting the capital to cities like Voronezh and beyond.
Moscow metro
The Moscow Metro is one of the world’s deepest and most opulent subway systems, first opened in 1935. Its most famous stations from the Stalinist era are renowned for their “palace-like” architecture, featuring marble walls, grand chandeliers, and intricate mosaics and sculptures that glorify Soviet ideology and history.
