The first prototypes of high-speed trains manufactured in the Urals are slated for completion by June 2027 at the Verkhnyaya Pyshma factory. These trains will undergo a certification process before being sent to the Moscow region for testing, as the Sverdlovsk region lacks suitable high-speed lines.

The trains are designed to reach speeds exceeding 250 km/h on a specially constructed section of track during testing. This initiative marks a significant step towards establishing high-speed rail travel in Russia.

Currently, development is underway on various components of the future trains, including the commencement of traction engine testing. The majority of parts are expected to be ready by the end of 2025, paving the way for the assembly of the initial carriages.

The project aims to deploy these trains on future high-speed lines, with the Moscow to St. Petersburg HSR serving as the pilot project. This route, spanning approximately 700 km, is projected to be covered in about 2 hours and 15 minutes by the new trains.

For context, high-speed railways are defined as electrified double-track lines capable of supporting train speeds between 200 and 400 kilometers per hour. Existing conventional trains have a maximum speed of up to 140 km/h. While the Sapsan train has a technical capacity to reach 300–350 km/h, it typically operates at an average speed of 200 km/h due to limitations in the current railway infrastructure.

The high-speed train’s ability to reach speeds up to 400 km/h will be facilitated by its aerodynamic design and aluminum construction. To support the manufacturing of these trains, Ural Locomotives is expanding its facilities with additional buildings for assembly.