On 12 July, Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann announced that Stadler Rail has won its first order from Russia.
The company has received an order for 100 four-axis diesel drive units from the Russian company Transmashholding (TMH), two of which are to be delivered in advance as prototypes.
The drive units will be assembled in 50 multiple-unit trains, which the TMH subsidiary Metrovagonmash (MVM) will deliver to Russian Railways (RZD).
The order volume for the 100 drive units amounts to around CHF 240 million.
Transmashholding is the largest Russian rail vehicle manufacturer with around 55,000 employees.
Its subsidiary, Metrovagonmash, is located in Mytishchi, on the outskirts of Moscow. MVM employs around 5,000 people.
Delivery of the first two prototype drive units will take place at the end of 2012.
Certification and delivery to RZD of the first complete train manufactured by MVM is scheduled for the first quarter of 2014.
Then the plan is to exercise the option for the whole series of 49 trains – and a further 98 drive units.
