Train maintenance deal for Siemens

Siemens Transportation Systems and Russian Railways (RZD) have signed a maintenance contract worth more than €300m for eight Velaro RUS high-speed trains.

Under the terms of this contract Siemens will assume responsibility for the complete maintenance of the Velaro RUS high-speed trains for a period of 30 years. Russian Railways and Siemens had already signed a €276m contract in May 2006 for the delivery of eight high-speed trains.

All the Velaro RUS trains are to be built in Germany, with manufacture of the first train due to start in July. These trains will be used primarily on the Moscow – St. Petersburg route, running at speeds as high as 250km/h. Like the ICE 3 operated by Deutsche Bahn or the Velaro E of Spanish National Railway RENFE, the Velaro RUS represents the newest generation of high-speed train.

The Velaro RUS units will be serviced and maintained in one of RZD's plants. Siemens and Russian Railways had already signed an agreement establishing the strategic partnership in November 2005.