Nizhny Novgorod Metro. Part 3. Rolling stock
It’s impossible to bypass this topic, as every passenger using the metro inevitably takes trips inside the cars (some even outside).
While reading books, leaning on a fellow passenger in the crowd, or simply daydreaming, we often don’t pay attention to the fact that we are being transported.
“But is it necessary?” you might ask. “Certainly, it is,” I will respond briefly.
The topic of metro rolling stock is actually so extensive that it could fill more than one book. Today, we’ll take a look at what the people of Nizhny Novgorod are transported by daily, allowing them to save time and avoid traffic jams.
Leningrad’s firstborn
For users of the metro systems in St. Petersburg and Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod’s carriages are unlikely to be particularly surprising. At their core, they are familiar “numbered” carriages, as enthusiasts call them.
I would refer to them as workhorses, which can be encountered in almost every post-Soviet metro system (except for Almaty).
First appearing in 1976 as a relatively temporary model, the “numbered” carriages, by a stroke of luck, or rather quite traditionally for the USSR, became the most common model of metro carriages worldwide. Thus, their introduction to the Gorky Metro in 1985 was a completely natural development — nothing else was simply being produced in the country.
The first metro train arrived in Gorky from Leningrad in May 1985. Four carriages — two of the 81–717 model and two of the 81–714 model. Why are the models different? Elementary — the first ones, ending in seven-one-seven, are the head cars (they have a cabin for the driver), while the seven-fourteens are intermediate cars (they lack that cabin — consequently, they have more passenger space).
In total, 58 carriages were delivered by the end of the summer, in time for the opening of the third underground system in the RSFSR. These carriages were built both in Leningrad at the I.E. Yegorov Leningrad Carriage Works and at the Mytishchi Machine-Building Plant (MMZ). The latter were initially distinguished by their characteristic logo in the form of a winged letter “M”.
From the received number of carriages, it was possible to form 12 four-car trains for operation at 6 stations, leaving a small portion of carriages for backup — just in case! A well-known and wise precaution in railway transportation.
As the metro system developed, the rolling stock fleet was naturally updated and supplemented with new carriages. This occurred in 1987, 1991, and 1993. Visually, the passengers didn’t notice anything new — the same numbered carriages, except for the fact that vertical handrails appeared in the cabins starting from 1991.
However, a prolonged and unfortunate period of stagnation followed — the metro, like most of its counterparts across the country, didn’t undergo further development, and consequently, new carriages weren’t required.
To St. Petersburg — for repairs!
Over time, it has become necessary to seriously refurbish the subway cars of Nizhny Novgorod. In some cases, this involves a comprehensive set of tasks, including the complete removal of undercarriage electrical and pneumatic equipment, replacement of interior facing elements, restoration of paintwork, and much more, which is often impossible to accomplish in depot conditions due to lack of technical facilities.
It’s worth noting that one of the initial stages of such major repairs for Nizhny Novgorod metro cars was conducted in St. Petersburg. Interestingly, this was not done at the Yegorov wagon-building plant (which later became ZAO “Vagonmash”), which had built a significant portion of their rolling stock at the time, but rather at the equally legendary PTMZ — St. Petersburg Tram-Mechanical Plant.
At the tram factory, the carriages were renewed and their equipment was repaired, decorative aluminum belts were dismantled (apparently over the years they turn into corrosion hotspots that eat through the body). However, the overall appearance remained unchanged — except that the headlights on the driver’s cabin were arranged in a row of six.
Subsequently, following a similar scheme, the residents of Nizhny Novgorod continued the repairs of their carriages in Moscow, and then again in St. Petersburg, but on a different plant — the October Electric Car Repair Plant (OEVRZ).
A six, but not a BMW
Here we come to the newest metro carriages of Nizhny Novgorod. Obviously, when opening new stations, it is necessary to purchase new carriages, otherwise the time intervals between trains will inevitably increase, and passengers will have to wait longer and travel less comfortably in them (more people will cram in).
Starting from 2012 (with the launch of the “Gorkovskaya” station), residents of Nizhny Novgorod began receiving train cars of the 81–717.6 and 81–714.6 models. Essentially, of course, these are the same old “numbered” (“nomernoy”) models (81–717 and 81–714), but radically modernized. While in the past, the upgrading of cars from this family only involved minor changes in the interior, “cosmetic” changes in the form of altering the front end (head car), different handrails, or additional equipment, this time the “six-sevens” are easily recognized by passengers as something new.
Well, you can judge for yourself — in the carriage, for example, ceiling fans have appeared. The familiar system where air was blown into the carriage through “holes” in the roof is now a thing of the past. The doors are now closing with an electric motor, not with cylinders of compressed air — a passenger may not know this, but they will notice a more confident and louder folding of the doors. The difference was also felt by the train operators — they now have a more spacious cabin and an ergonomic control panel at their disposal. And finally, these carriages are painted silver, not resembling a can of Soviet condensed milk — you definitely won’t mistake the approaching train: it’s the “number six”!
Opinions about these cars are mixed. On one hand, their presence (and the financial capability to acquire them) in the Nizhny Novgorod metro is undoubtedly positive: new technology means progress. They transport passengers and perform their functions.
However, within the professional community, there are often noted drawbacks. Primarily, these are related to the inclusion of new components that can lead to malfunctions or complicate routine operational activities. This, it’s fair to note, can be encountered with any small-series model of anything (airplane, car, vacuum cleaner, etc.). Let’s recall that the introduction of the original “numbered” ( rus. “nomernoy”) cars also faced challenges — the initial cars had issues that not everyone was willing to work with (there were even cases of fires and smoke!). Time will sort everything out, but for now, the Nizhny Novgorod metro offers 11 sets of the “point six” modification, which constitutes almost a third of the entire rolling stock. So, if you’re in Nizhny Novgorod, you will definitely come across them, and there’s no need to worry about missing them (although there are those who do).
Named “numbered”
There’s a delightful tradition in russian metro systems to create named trains. It’s quite simple: you take a train, come up with an interesting story, and cover it with 3M film featuring thematic designs (ideally, you repaint it with a different, non-specific color, but that’s a luxury version — a very rare case). The idea is great — passengers react, get distracted from their book/phone (although briefly), and it’s beneficial for the metro system — it adds some excitement.
Nizhny Novgorod is not lagging behind its counterparts in this regard. During my metro rides, I came across the following themed trains:
73 Years of Victory
Maxim Gorky
2018 FIFA World Cup
Russia — My History
Each branded train is interesting in its own way and catches the eye. It’s pleasant to see that even in less comfortable financial conditions, the Nizhny Novgorod Metro finds opportunities to add variety with bright colors to the familiar appearance of its trains.
Bring on the new!
As for the new generation carriages, I hope that eventually they will find their way to Nizhny Novgorod as well. Especially in Russia, there is now a production of metro carriages catering to every taste, color, and budget. The task ahead is to build new metro lines and update the morally and physically outdated rolling stock. Whether it will succeed or not, we will see. For now, let’s make use of and take care of what we have.
In the next installment of the series, we will get acquainted with the facility where the aforementioned carriages spend the night, get washed, and undergo maintenance.
Thank you all for your attention and see you soon!
Special thanks to my dedicated reader, mr. David M Maydwell, for the support! Your encouragement helps me find the motivation to keep writing, and I truly appreciate it.
