A dual formation Sapsan train has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest high-speed train in the world.
Built by Siemens, 20-car Russian gauge train, which already holds the record of being the fastest train on Russia’s national rail network, measured 500 metres and 78 centimetres.
In August, Russian Railways (RZD) began operating the dual formation Sapsan train to increase capacity on the Moscow-St Petersburg route.
In 2011, RZD signed a contract with Siemens for additional Velaro trainsets to add to the original fleet of eight, which entered service in September 2009. The contract, which was worth around €600 million, included not only the delivery of eight new trains, but a 30-year maintenance agreement.
The record for the longest passenger train was set by an SNCB Class 27 locomotive which hauled a total of 70 carriages, stretching for 1,732.9 metres. The train was assembled for a one-off event in aid of Belgian cancer research charity ‘Kom op tegen kanker‘
