Class EP2D With Extended Service Life

On 8 May 2020, TMH announced that DMZ (Demikhovsky mashinostroitelny zavod, Demikhovsky machinery works) received a RS FZhT certificate of conformity for batch production of its Class EP2D EMUs with an enhanced service life of 40 years. Until now the service life of these 3 kV DC trains was 30 years. Now, the tests proved that, subject to the requirements for maintenance and operation, the Class EP2D EMUs can be operated for 40 years, ensuring for passengers and drivers the proper level of safety.

Certification tests were carried out at the VNIIZhT Shcherbinka circuit and on the Belorechensk polygon in Krasnodar region. The test results confirmed the compliance with the TR TS 001/2011 (Technical Regulations of the Customs Union) requirements. The certificate was issued for a period of 5 years and allows to operate Class EP2Ds without restrictions on the networks of the Eurasian Economic Union states - Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia.

Class EP2D EMUs have been produced since 2015. During this time, 1,048 cars of this model were produced, which are used in Russia as well as in the Republic of Armenia.

We asked TMH:
- There were some technical or design changes in the construction of the Class EP2D trains?
- How long the enhanced EMU(s) was/were tested?
- EP2D-0079 on the accompanying photo is the very first train of this class with the 40 year life cycle? If not, which one?
- How many EP2D EMUs will be built in 2020?

We are waiting for an answer.