"Velvet Path": Gorky Railway renewed nearly 200 km of railway track

      As part of the 2025 track maintenance campaign, workers of the Gorky Railway laid 199 km of continuous welded rail, known as “velvet” track. Ninety turnouts were also replaced — components of railway switches that allow trains to change direction.

      According to the Gorky Railway’s Kirov region, work is currently underway on the sections Orichi–Strizhi, Strizhi–Lyangasovo, Lyangasovo–Pozdino and Falenki–Yar. Railway workers are replacing the rail-and-sleeper grid and turnouts, carrying out deep ballast cleaning, welding joints and laying continuous welded (“velvet”) track, which makes train movements smoother and reduces wear on rolling stock.

      According to the Gorky Railway, a major overhaul of the track not only improves passenger comfort but also ensures a high level of safety of train operations and increases transportation speeds.