Russian Railways Unveils Modern High-Speed Double-Decker Burevestnik Train for Moscow-Nizhny Novgorod Route

The state railway operator, Russian Railways (RZD), launched a new high-speed double-decker train on the Moscow-Nizhny Novgorod route on Wednesday, reviving the Burevestnik service that originally began in the 1960s.

These new Burevestnik trains will replace the single-deck version which was decommissioned in 2014 as part of RZD’s modernization efforts. Prior to this, the Moscow-Nizhny Novgorod line was serviced by other high-speed trains, such as the Sapsan and Strizh, all named after birds.

The revamped double-decker trains consist of ten cars and have the capacity to accommodate up to 730 passengers. They will run three daily services in both directions, with each trip taking approximately four and a half hours. Passengers can enjoy modern features, including USB ports and power outlets.

«Considering the capacity of the train, we are confident that passenger traffic will increase significantly,» stated RZD Deputy Managing Director Ivan Kolesnikov during the official unveiling at Moscow’s Yaroslavsky Station, adding that the route has already seen 2.5 million passengers in 2025.

RZD has also introduced double-decker train services on routes connecting Moscow with St. Petersburg, Kazan, Voronezh, and Samara. There are plans for a comprehensive high-speed rail network throughout Russia, which includes a line between St. Petersburg and Moscow.