This is interesting. These will be the first broad-gauge high-speed trains on the world. While the road builders are drooling over the Obama stimulus plan, countries from Argentina to Russia to China to India are building electrified rail lines that go faster than a DC-3. Hopefully, Obama will be smart enough to realize the the automobile and excessive flying are the source, not the solution, to our transportation and energy problems.
Here's the article: Les trains à grande vitesse prennent leur essor en Russie (Poutine)
This will be the first broad-gauge high speed railroad on the planet. By the time it is done, it will dwarf anything the Europeans have. I've translated it for you below the fold.
Saint-Petersburg, 26 December - RIA Novosti The Russian Railroad Corporation RZD does not plan on suspending its investment projects, and the joint concept of the high-speed train Sapsan with Siemens is the proof, prime minister Vladimir Putin stated Friday.
The introduction of the train is "a good example that in spite of difficulties we successfully guide and develop our long term projects," Mr. Putin opined while meeting the president of the administrative council of Siemens, Peter Luscher.
At the end of 2009, the Sapsan trains (meaning "pilgrim hawk") will achieve the link between Moscow and St. Petersburg, covering the distance between the two Russian capitals, about 650 km, in 3½ hours, then between Moscow and Nijni-Novgorod (Volga) and Sotchi (on the Black Sea).
The contract for the realization of high speed trains between RZD and Siemens goes back to May, 2006. Based on the terms of the contract, the Russian corporation will buy eight units based on the Velaro-RUS design. The total contract cost is 600 million euros.
These trains can hit 250 km/hr, but they plan to increase the speed gradually to 330 km/hr after a slight modification.
With a length of 250 meters, a Sapsan unit consists of 10 cars with 600 seats. The rolling stock will use the traditional Russian railroad track gauge which is wider than the European standard gauge.
End of translation.
Comment: Apparently North America will soon be the only continent, besides Antarctica, not building extensive high-speed rail networks. Generally, I'd say Americans are collectively dumber than s*** on a stick.