Sapsan, Russia"s first train capable of...

The train will decrease the minimum travel time between Moscow and St. Petersburg from the current record of 4 hours and 30 minutes (Nevsky Express) to 3 hours and 45 minutes. It takes approximately eight hours for most Russian trains to cover the distance.

The train, of the Velaro RUS series, is a joint project between Russia"s railway monopoly RZD and Germany"s Siemens. It has 10 cars, of which two are first class and eight are second class, and can carry 604 passengers. The track gauge is 33 cm wider than in Germany to ensure it is appropriate for Russia"s railroad tracks.

The first journey will be made at 19:00 Moscow time [14:00 GMT], when two trains will depart simultaneously from Moscow and St Petersburg. The trains will make three runs daily - at 06:45 (arrival time 10:30), at 13:00 (arrival time 17:15) and 19:00 (arrival time 22:45).

Tickets to Sapsan cost 5,300 rubles ($175) for the first-class coaches and 3,300 rubles ($110) for the second-class coaches.

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