RUSSIA: Transmashholding’s Tver plant is to produce a pilot batch of 61-4517 and 61-4516 passenger coaches which will operate in coupled pairs, a concept which the manufacturer said was being implemented in Russia for the first time. Shipments are planned to start in September.

One coach from each pair will have the attendant’s compartment with facilities including a fridge and microwave. The other coach will use the space for a ‘convenience zone’ with vending machines and coffee dispensers. The coaches will have pressure-tight gangways, as well as a shower and a water purifier in what TMH said was a first for a mass-market Russian coach.

The passenger compartments in the Type 61-4517 coach will have foldable tables and personal safes, with lower berths which fold up to make seats with headrests and upper berths which fold flush to the wall so as not to take up space. The seats in the Type 61-4516 car will be equipped with curtains and USB outlets.

Accessibility features will include foldable bridges, doors with easy to reach buttons, and accessible gangways.

TMH Tver is also developing a prototype Type 61-4529 crew coach offering new design options for RZD. 

source= https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/traction-rolling-stock/single-view/view/production-of-paired-coaches-approved.html