Russia’s ES104, the domestic successor to the Lastochka family of electric trains, has cleared the scrutiny of the interdepartmental commission. The commission confirmed its compliance with the technical specifications, and the train earned certification from the Russian agencies involved in oversight. The news was shared by the plant group behind the project, JSC Sinara–Transport Machines (STM).
Officials from the STM group expressed satisfaction with the achievement. In their statement, they noted that the electric train has now been certified for operation after a thorough inspection by the Inter-Ministerial Commission, with all requirements of the technical specification verified and accepted. The tone conveyed pride in the rigorous process and confidence in the vehicle’s readiness for service.
The ES104 is a five-car formation modeled on a Lastochka design and built entirely from Russian-sourced components. The train configuration accommodates 416 seats, with cabin seating arranged in alternating triples and pairs to maximize passenger comfort and capacity on regional routes.
STM highlighted the significant contributions of Ural Locomotive personnel, while acknowledging that further work remains. The company underscored ongoing efforts to advance localization and optimization to meet expected deployment schedules and service standards.
Looking ahead, STM stated that by the end of the year it plans to transfer a batch of 12 five-car trains to the Sverdlovsk Railway. This milestone would mark a meaningful expansion of domestically produced rolling stock in the region and contribute to smoother, more reliable commuter and regional rail services.
Earlier statements from Oleg Belozerov, who previously led the state rail operator, indicated expectations for the broader roll-out of Russian-built rolling stock. Reports at that time suggested plans to deliver a fleet of all-Russian trains within the anticipated timeline, along with the procurement of special tourist wagons featuring glass roofs to enhance sightseeing journeys. The emphasis remained on strengthening domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers while maintaining high safety and performance standards.