History

1918
1922
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
1935
1937
1938
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1948
1950
1954
1955
1955
1956
1957
1958
1962
1964
1966
1968
1971
1972
1975
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1990
1993
1994
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2009
2011
2012
2014
2015
2017
2018
2021
1918 г, первое здание ВНИИЖТа на Гороховской улице
Launch of the JSC VNIIZHT (Railway Research Institute)

1912 - The enterprise called «Tests on Types of Steam Locomotives» was organized in St. Petersburg at the Engineering Council of Railway Ministry. It was headed by Prof. Y. Lomonosov, member of Engineering Council, who was the main supervisor of tests on steam locomotive types. (Its results concerning traction and heat engineering research for the operating lines provided the order Decapod E-series steam locomotives from USA in 1915).

1917 — The Experimental Office tested the main series of steam locomotives earlier operating on Russian railways, published their passports, started tests of steam engine fuel, developed basics of traction calculations in the form of illustrative and precise techniques of applying experimental data to tasks of everyday practice. (In March 1918 the Experimental Office was evacuated as a part of NKPS to Moscow).

1918 — The First Branch Research Center was established on the base of Experimental Institute of Transport Routes under the decree of the Board of People’s Commissariat for Transport Routes on April 18th, 1918. The main task of the new Institute was to conduct research and testing of railway technology in order to improve its design. The address of Institute was Gorokhovaya Street (now Kazakova Street, 8).


The first research laboratory for long-distance communications was founded
Commission on Brake Systems
NKPS Expert Committee of Railway Transport was formed for general guidance and direction of works on braking systems. (V. Egorchenko carried out significant research work with a group of scientists in the early 30's, the results of which were the works of NIIZhT for 1938 "Research on Brakes of NIIZhT". These studies served as a basis for the Rules of traction calculations)
Division
Due to the problems of transport reconstruction, the Scientific and Technical Committee (NKPS) was divided into six branch institutes, including the Research Institute of Traction Reconstruction, the Research Institute of Track Reconstruction, and the Research Institute of Transport Electrical Engineering.
New divisions
The Research Institute of Signaling, Communications and Electrification was organized (In 1935 the Research Institute of Signaling, Communications and Electrification became part of the NIIZhT as a department).

The Institute for Traction Reconstruction has organized a wagon sector.
Lauch of the Welding Sector

The Welding Sector was created as part of the Department of Metals (in 1948 it was separated into a separate subdivision — the Welding Department).

The Greatest technical achievement

The world’s first Experimental Railway Loop was created — a unique structure that eventually became the Institute’s largest experimental base. The construction was supervised by Professor N.I. Belokon.

The steam locomotive EMO710-53 was the first test object at Test loop.

The Institute also founded the Test Loop, which produced experimental samples of new machinery and laboratory equipment directed by R. Shneiderman.

The first locomotive E was tested
The first locomotive E was tested under the supervision of T. Khokhlov.

NKPS Central Carriage Research Institute was organized; there were the first to test the strength and running properties of the cars, using a special car-laboratory. In 1935 NKPS became a part of VNIIZhT.
First tests of electric locomotives
First tests of electric locomotives — DC electric locomotives VL19-17 and C11-18 were tested.

Two major research centers were created: the Research Institute of Railway Transport (NIIZhT) near Moscow-3 station — under the direction of Professor VN Obraztsov, and the Research Institute of Track and Construction (NIIPS) in Beskudnikovo — under the direction of A. Lazarevsky.
The unique development
The Test Plant, ordered by NKPS Railway Transport was established on the basis of production workshops at research laboratories of the Institute which existed since 1932. The main tasks of which were maintenance of laboratories of Institute, repair and production the devices and units, prototypes, execution of orders NKPS Commissariat of Railway Transport.

Major developments of the Institute of that period: the first Soviet automatic coupler, magnetic defectoscope, devices of contact network and current collectors for the electrified sections of railways. The model of the first Soviet automatic control system was manufactured at the Test Plant in 1937 at the World Exhibition in Paris. It received the highest assessment — the Grand Prix Diploma.
Work in the 30’s
At the beginning of 30s, the Institute conducted thorough comprehensive research in the field of electrification of railways, continued research in the field of improvement of electric traction and development of technical bases of their operation. Various types of suspensions and methods of their calculation were studied.
In 1938 NKPS institutes organized groups to study the dynamics of the rolling stock.
The two scientific centers were divided into 6 research institutes.
Institutes of locomotive and car maintenance and power engineering; communications, signalling and electrification; traffic and freight work were separated from NIIZhT. NIIPS was divided into track and construction parts. The Research Institute of Economics and Finance was established.
Evacuation and Unification
Branch institutes were evacuated to Tashkent. There they were united into Central Research Institute under direction of prominent scientist in the field of survey, designing and construction of railways, A.V. Gorinov on January 1, 1942 (In April 1943 the Institute came back to Moscow from evacuation).
VNIIZhT Bulletin was published
Editorial and publishing department has been established, which is engaged in publishing the scientific works of the Institute employees, prepares for publication the materials of the symposiums and conferences held there.
Creation of the CSRI experimental testing area on the Beskudnikovskaya branch to study the track structure, artificial and civil structures
New system of automatic blocking
By the order of NKPS the institute prepared proposals to eliminate the disadvantage of the autoblocking systems. Scientists A. Bryleyev and N. Fonarev developed and tested in the laboratory a new system of automatic blocking in short time.
Lauch of the Postgraduate studies
A postgraduate course for the training of scientific personnel necessary for the restoration and further development of railway transport has been opened
Transition to progressive types of locomotive traction
In connection with the transition to the progressive types of locomotive traction, the electrification and diesel locomotive departments started working.
Autostop with point-to-point information transfer to the locomotive was created (Candidate of Technical Sciences A.Tantsyura).
The institute has established a department of occupational safety and health
Transition to the new Ministry of Transport Construction
The Institute became a part of the Ministry of transport construction of specialists in designing and construction of railways.

The department of organization and mechanization of track works was established.

A system of three-digit point ALS with auto-stop was created.
Formation of Design Office
It was decided to organize in the Central Research Institute of Railway Transport the Design Office in order to create test benches for research work of the Institute and samples of new equipment for the needs of railway transport.
Track Machine Design Office
Track Machine Design Office was formed. It was headed by V.I. Platov for many years.
Laboratory of Personal Protective Equipment
The Laboratory of Personal Protective Equipment was established under the direction of M. Brener, Candidate of Technical Sciences.
The Ural Branch was launched
New departments were lauched
The Department of using polymer materials on railway transport has started its work in the institute.

In 1958, a special department of computer technology was organized in the institute, and this was the beginning of the development and implementation of the latest technologies that increase the efficiency of railway transport.
Department of Integrated Track Testing and Interaction
Department of complex testing and interaction track and rolling stock was created. The organizer and first head of the department was M. Verigo, doctor of technical sciences. The results of research helped to implement high-speed and high-speed traffic, increasing the transit and carrying capacity of local railways.
Warnvest
The warnvest, which is widely used on the railway transport and in other branches (V.N. Kotelnikov, Z.N. Isakova, E.D. Makarova), was developed for the first time.
The medal of the Red Banner of Labour
Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR for successful performance of research work on creation of new techniques and technology on the railway transport, improve train speed, quality of the rolling stock and track institute was awarded the Medal of the Red Banner of Labor.
High-speed test site
In connection with the growth of speeds on the railways and the prospects for their further increase, institute created a special High-speed test site at the Belorechenskaya — Maykop on the North Caucasian railway.
The first exhibition at the Test loop
The first international specialized exhibition «Rolling Stock-71» was held on the territory of the Test loop.
Beginning of implementation of «Express» system
Under the leadership of B.E. Marchuk, developed and implemented «Express» system — an automated seat reservation and ticketing management system, for booking seats on long-distance trains.
Marshalling yard operation control system
The automated control system of the marshalling yard operation, created headed by V. Buyanov, was put into permanent operation.
ER200
The first experimental trip with passengers of the express train ER200, developing a maximum speed of 220 km/h, developed and tested with the participation of VNIIZHT specialists
St. Petersburg - Moscow
Development of technical solutions as part of comprehensive reconstruction of the existing St. Petersburg-Moscow line in order to organize regular traffic of passenger trains at speed of 200 km/h.
Tests of the TEP80 diesel locomotive. World record
Testing of eight-axle 6000 hp TEP80 passenger diesel locomotive (on October 23, 1993 this locomotive set the world speed record for diesel locomotives — 271 km/h)
Membership in IHHA
VNIIZHT became a member of the International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA)
Membership in UIC
VNIIZHT became a member of the International Union of Railways (UIC)
IHHA Conference in Moscow
IHHA Conference in Moscow — is the recognition of VNIIZhT’s achievements in the field of heavyhaul transport
Gold Medal for Nikolay Bushe
Mr. Bushe was awarded by the International Council for Tribology with the Gold Medal in the field of tribology. Nikolay Bushe developed scientific principles of antifrictionality, formulated principles of creation of antifriction alloys and technological processes of joining metal layers to produce bimetals, determined laws of running-in process. He became the founder of the compatibility of tribosystems theory, the head of transport metallurgy school associated with the use of non-ferrous metals.
Sapsan project office
VNIIZHT became a member of the established design office for the development of high-speed electric train «Sapsan»
Tests of high-speed electric train "Sapsan" (Velaro Rus - EVS1 and EVS2)

High-speed electric trains EVS1 and EVS2 with a design speed of 250 km/h Velaro Rus models are designed to carry passengers on high-speed electrified lines of 1520 mm gauge DC with voltage of 3000 V and alternating current with voltage of 25 kV with frequency of 50kV Hz, equipped with high passenger platforms. The electric train was created by ordered by Russian Railways by Siemens AG and manufactured in Germany at the Krefeld plant.

When developing the design of the electric train and its systems, Siemens specialists in collaboration with Russian specialists seriously reworked the basic Velaro model intended for the European market. First of all, it should be noted that the undercarriage was completely redesigned for the possibility of operation on 1520 mm gauge roads, new aluminum bodies 3265 mm wide were developed for the T dimension and platform height of 1300 mm, the operation of the electric train equipment and the microclimate interior spaces in winter conditions at outdoor temperatures up to 45 C. The ergonomics of the driver’s cab has been changed, Russian traffic safety systems have been installed and integrated into the train control system. For «Russification» design, changes have been made to almost all systems of the electric train.

The first experimental electric train EVS2-01 was manufactured in 2008, consisting of 10 cars. Equipment adjustment and preliminary tests were carried out in 2009 by the developer’s specialists, test trips were carried out on Oktyabrskaya road and on VNIIZhT Experimental Ring in Shcherbinka. Acceptance and certification tests were carried out by testing centers VNIIZhT, VNIIZhG and VelNII in 2009 year. In the test process, the maximum speed of 291 km/h was achieved.

Membership in ERRAC
VNIIZHT became a member of the European Railway Research Advisory Council (ERRAC
UIC award
VNIIZHT scientists were awarded the Global Prize of the International Union of Railways in the field of railway research and innovation for the ELBRUS system (transport process simulation system).
Testing of the electric train "Lastochka" (Desiro RUS - ES1 / ES2G)

Electric train «Lastochka» (Siemens electric train, 1st / 2nd type) — a family of passenger electric trains created on the basis of the Siemens Desiro platform for Russian Railways OJSC; (JSC «Russian Railways»). Electric trains ES1 — dual-system (direct current 3 kV and alternating current 25 kV), ES2G and ES2GP — direct current 3 kV («G» — «urban», «P» — «premium»).

More than a hundred compositions of «Swallow» all varieties. Most of them are in passenger operation, a significant part of the trains are used as interregional or suburban express trains or city trains (ES2G), some trains are operated as suburban trains. Also, the electric train was used to transport participants and guests of the XXII Winter Olympic Games in 2014 in Sochi.

Expert technical support for high-speed railways
The Institute started to provide expert-technical support for the development and design of high-speed rolling stock for speeds above 300 km/h.
Testing of innovative railcars with an axle load of 27 tf

JSC «VNIIZhT» in cooperation with JSC Russian Railways, NPK «OVK», JSC «VNIKTI», MGUPS (MIIT), NII MOSTOV, ITs TsIMK, Association of testing centers of railway equipment prepared a comprehensive research program.

The purpose of the tests was a comprehensive economic assessment of the commissioning of freight trains formed from cars with an axle load of 27 tf, taking into account changes in the cost of track infrastructure, traction support, car maintenance and organization of train traffic.

The bulk of the research was aimed at studying the influence circulation of wagons with an axle load of 27 tf to track infrastructure facilities — track superstructure, subgrade, artificial structures.

Tests were carried out at Kachkanar — The link of the Sverdlovsk railway.

Century of operation
The Institute celebrated its 100th anniversary of activities for the benefit of the country’s railway industry
Anniversary of the exhibition
2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the international railway exhibition, which for the first time took place at the VNIIZHT Test Loop in 1971 and became a landmark international event for transport industry in Eurasia.