The Ural Locomotives plant in Verkhnyaya Pyshma, Russia, is undergoing a major expansion to accommodate the production of high-speed trains, with completion targeted for the end of 2026. The project, managed by general contractor Sinara-Development, involves the construction of a vast complex adjacent to the existing Ural Locomotives facility.

The new complex will house five new buildings spanning a total area of 67,000 square meters, equivalent to six to seven football fields. These buildings will include a body component forming building, a commissioning building, a traction drive testing center, a design center, and an administrative building. The commissioning building, measuring 378 meters in length and covering 17,000 square meters, and the body component forming building, will be the largest structures within the complex.

Danil Znachkov, First Deputy General Director of Sinara-Development, emphasized the scale of the project, noting that it essentially involves building an entirely new plant. Construction is progressing rapidly, with plans to complete the thermal circuits and begin finishing work this year, including floor installation, equipment setup, and network infrastructure connections. The goal is to have a fully operational workshop ready for technological equipment installation by early 2026.

One of the key features of the new complex is the “power floor,” designed to support the production of large-sized machines. This floor is engineered to withstand a constant load of 20 tons across its entire surface, enabling the easy movement of heavy objects without compromising structural integrity.

The new high-speed trains produced at the facility are expected to significantly reduce travel times, potentially cutting the journey between Moscow and St. Petersburg to just 2 hours and 15 minutes.

The construction project presented challenges due to the limited land available and the need to integrate the new facilities with the existing production cycle. However, builders successfully accommodated the new buildings while maintaining operational efficiency.

Ural Locomotives has recently expanded its production capabilities, launching the production of Finist electric trains in 2024. The addition of high-speed train production further solidifies the plant’s position in the railway industry. The first two prototypes of the high-speed trains are slated for assembly in the summer of 2027, with component testing already underway. Vladimir Putin visited the plant in early 2024.