Production of rails for the new ultra-high-speed train developed near Yekaterinburg has begun.

      In St. Petersburg, the RSP‑M company’s plant (part of the Sinara – Transport Machines holding) has begun manufacturing rails for the future high‑speed line. Their length is 800 metres.

      Eight 100‑metre rails produced by EVRAZ to an order from Russian Railways (RZD) are welded into an 800‑metre length. Welding such strings is necessary to minimize the number of joints when laying the high‑speed track. This should ensure the smoothest possible ride for the train.

      “The welded joint must withstand 200 tonnes of static load without failure, and the deviation from straightness of the finished joint must not exceed 0.2 millimetres per metre of rail,” the company’s press service cites RSP‑M CEO Alexander Izmaylov as saying.

      Welding of 100‑metre rails on two lines. The RSP‑M plant can produce up to 650 kilometres of welded strings per year. Each 100‑metre rail weighs 6.5 tonnes.

      The first stage is electric welding. An electric arc forms between the rail ends, which melts the metal; under pressure the rails fuse together. The welded string then undergoes grinding and quenching. During quenching the welded seam is heated to 945 degrees Celsius and rapidly cooled with air. The process is completed with final automatic grinding. The plant received 7,000 tonnes of rails; after being welded into strings they will be transported by rail wagons to the laying site, reports E1.RU.

      It is worth noting that the first high‑speed train in Russia from Ural Locomotives will include eight cars, although it can be expanded to sixteen. Passengers will be offered the following ticket classes: “economy”, “standard”, “comfort” and “business”. The train is currently unnamed, but a nice name will be chosen closer to the launch.