ELECTRIFICATION OF RUSSIAN RAILWAYS

ЭЛЕКТРИФИКАЦИЯ ЖЕЛЕЗНЫХ ДОРОГ РОССИИ

Кравцов Дмитрий Анатольевич

студент,  Ростовский государственный университет путей сообщения,

РФ, г. Ростов на Дону

Симонова Оксана Борисовна

научный руководитель, канд. фил. наук, доц., Ростовский государственный университет путей сообщения,

РФ, г. Ростов на Дону

Introduction. The electrification of railways is one of the key areas in developing Russia's transport infrastructure. This process began in the early 20th century and continues to this day, ensuring increased efficiency of freight and passenger transport, reduced operating costs, and improved environmental conditions. Electrification is a set of measures aimed at equipping railway lines with power supply systems and transferring train traction from steam or diesel to electric. This process is especially significant for Russia, a country with vast territory and a developed railway network.

Historical Stages of Electrification

First Steps (1926-1940)

The first electrified section in Russia was put into operation in 1926 on the Baku-Sabunchi-Surakhani line, with a length of 19 km. This was an important experiment that demonstrated the prospects of electric traction for domestic railways.

In 1929, the Khashuri-Zestafoni line in Georgia was electrified, followed by the Moscow-Mytishchi section of the Northern Railway in 1932. By 1940, the total length of electrified lines was about 1,800 km.

Postwar Development (1945-1991)

After World War II, the pace of electrification increased significantly. In the 1950s, major lines such as Moscow-Leningrad (1951) and sections of the Trans-Siberian Railway were electrified.

Special attention was given to the electrification of lines with heavy freight traffic in regions of coal, ore, and other mineral extraction. By 1991, the length of electrified lines in the USSR reached 51,000 kilometers, accounting for about 40% of the total railway network.

Modern Period (1991-present)

After the collapse of the USSR, Russia inherited about 40,000 kilometers of electrified railways. In the 1990s, electrification slowed due to economic difficulties, but since the 2000s, work has resumed with renewed vigor.

Technical Aspects of Electrification

Power Supply Systems

Two main electrification systems are used in Russia:

- Direct current (DC) at 3,000 V – used on most electrified lines

- Alternating current (AC) at 25,000 V, 50 Hz – used on new sections and during reconstruction

The AC system at $$25000$$ V is more economical for long stretches, as it allows the distance between traction substations to be increased to 50–60 km compared to 20–25 km for DC.

Overhead Contact System

The overhead contact system consists of wires and supporting structures that deliver electricity to the rolling stock. Main components:

- Contact wire

- Messenger wire

- Supporting devices

- Poles (masts) of the overhead system

Economic and Environmental Benefits

Economic Factors

Electric traction has several significant advantages:

- Operating costs reduced by 30–40% compared to diesel traction

- Increased line capacity by 40–50%

- Possibility of using regenerative braking

- Higher efficiency (85–90% vs 25–30% for diesel locomotives)

Environmental Advantages

Electrification improves environmental conditions by:

- Eliminating emissions of pollutants at the point of use

- Reducing noise impact

- Allowing the use of renewable energy sources for power generation

Current State and Development Prospects

Current State

As of 2024, more than 43,000 km of Russian railway lines are electrified, representing about 51% of the total operating length. Over 85% of all railway freight work is carried out on electrified sections.

Development Programs

Russian Railways is implementing large-scale electrification programs, including:

- Completion of Trans-Siberian Railway electrification

- Electrification of BAM (Baikal-Amur Mainline)

- Development of high-speed railway services

- Modernization of existing electrified lines

Technological Innovations

The following modern technologies are being introduced:

- Intelligent power supply management systems

- Energy-saving technologies

- Energy storage and recuperation systems

- Digitalization of traction power supply management

Conclusion

The electrification of Russian railways is a strategically important direction in the development of the country’s transport infrastructure. Over nearly a century, a powerful system of electrified railways has been established, providing the bulk of freight and passenger transport. Further development of electrification is focused on improving energy efficiency, introducing innovative technologies, and expanding the network of electrified lines. This will allow Russia to maintain the competitive advantage of railway transportation and ensure sustainable development of the transport system in the long term. Successful implementation of railway electrification plans will contribute to regional economic growth, environmental improvement, and enhanced quality of transport services for both the population and cargo shippers.

References:

1. Russian Railways. Encyclopedia. – Moscow: Great Russian Encyclopedia, 2003.
2. Official website of JSC "Russian Railways" (RZD)
3. Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation. Railway Transport Development Programs in Russia.
4. History of the Development of Railway Electrification in Russia // Transport Strategy of Russia
5. Bystrov I.A., Chechunov S.V. Railway Electrification: Textbook. – Moscow: Transport, 2018.
6. Bulygin M.V., Lebedev E.I. Railway Power Supply. — Moscow: Forum Publishing House, 2020.
7. RZD Statistical Data for 2023–2024.