Vostok (Russian train)

019/020 Vostok (Russian: Востокcode: rus promoted to code: ru ) is an international train operated by RZD Moscow which runs between Moscow Yaroslavl and Beijing. The train number is 019Ч/020Щ in Russia and K19/20 in China. It commenced operations on 31 January 1954. The train is operated by RZD Moscow. ^[2]

The journey of the train lasts for 144 hrs 54 mins from Moscow and 139 hrs 58 mins from Beijing, which runs a distance of 8986 km. From these statistics, it held the longest international train record until 2020, which the Moscow-Pyongyang train broke with 10,267 km (208 hrs 25 mins).^[3]

On 1 May 1949, train 1/2 from Peiping to Mukden South commenced operations under CR Tientsin, and the train extended to Manzhouli on 1 November, which 7 coaches are operated by CR Tsitsihar.^[4] China and Soviet Union agreed in 1950 to operate an international train, and it commenced operations in 1951, though the same ticket is issued but passengers should buy separate tickets for China and Soviet sections and change trains at Manzhouli.

An agreement was signed in 1953 between China and Soviet Railways in Moscow to commence operations for a direct through train^[5]: 4. To prepare for the train service, about 200 related personnel participated in the training at Harbin. On 7 December, trial operations for the train from Moscow-Beijing.

On 31 January 1954, Beijing-Moscow through train commenced operations, the train service is operated by Soviet Union, and the train number continued the Beijing-Manzhouli 1/2, the frequency increased from two trains per week to three. The travel time and distance are 214 hrs and 9050 km respectively, becoming the longest international train by travel distance.^[5]: 6

Due to Sino-Soviet split and rescheduling in China, the train number changed from 1/2 to 19/20 in China and 17/18 in Soviet Union, the route was reduced to one train per week. The train continued to be operated by Soviet Railways and attached 2 hard sleepers, canteen and postal coaches from CR Beijing. In 1983, the train number was unified as 19/20.^[5]: 81 In 1989, Soviet Railways commenced a second 19/20 train and attached an additional coach for Moscow-Shenyang between 1992 and 1996.^[5]: 193

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the operations were transferred to RZD.^[6] During the third acceleration campaign in 2000, the train was elevated to K19/20 fast train. In 2008, all coaches are refurbished and German-made coaches were phased out.^[7]

From 9 July 2020, RZD rescheduled Vostok to attach coaches of 062М/061М to Vladivostok, and use the same train number between Moscow and Chita, while the Zabaikalsk section as 320Ч/319Ч and Chinese section as K20/19.

Due to COVID-19, all Vostok trains terminates service at Zaibaikalsk,^[8] non-Russian passengers are refused entry and the train will directly transported back to Moscow.^[9][10] Vostok services were suspended on 5 February 2020.^[11]

Type 61-4440 coaches for K19/20 are manufactured by Tver, composing of 4 passengers compartments platzkart (3rd class), accessible-friendly 4 passengers compartment and a 2 passengers compartment platzkart with broadcast compartment and accessible lavatory, the premium kupe (2nd class) have 9 compartment for 2 passengers and all coaches are installed with surveillance systems, bathrooms, telephone and fire alert systems. The aforementioned coaches are commenced from 2018 and are closed-circuits. As for Chinese section coaches are Type 18 canteen and platzkart.^[12]

There will be 18 coaches between Zabaikalsk and Moscow, which 13 platzkart (3rd), 3 premium kupe (2nd class), canteen and luggage 1 each, and will attach the CR canteen and platzkart coaches from Manzhouli to Beijing, thus there will be 18 coaches in Chinese section.^[13]

In addition, Vostok used to attach a premium kupe and platzkart to Pyongyang and change to K27/28. However, due to low ridership and technical issues, the coaches are rearranged to Rossiya and send by KSR.

Due to gauge differences, all trains must break of gauge at Zabaikalsk station, and passenger must clear immigration and wait for five hours.

• K19 coach
• Luggage coach
• No. 1 Platzkart
• No. 3 Platzkart
• No. 4 Premium Kupe
• CA18 canteen coach attached to K19
• K19 at Beijing
• K19 on Timetable
• K19 calls at Harbin platform 4
• K19 calls at Harbin platform 18
• 019 at Mariinsk

K19/20 is hauled by HXD3D "Tomato" loco from Beijing to Harbin, and will take shift at Shenyang station, then another HXD3D will take shift from Harbin to Manzhouli, for the Manzhouli-Zabaikalsk section will be hauled by HXN5 diesel loco.

In the Russian section, the train is hauled by TEP70BS from Zabaikalsk to Borzya, then will be hauled by EP1 or EP1P electric loco to Mariinsk and shift at Zima. From Mariinsk to Balezino, an EP2K loco will haul the train, then will change to ChS4T or EP1M loco to Vladimir, the final leg will be hauled by ChS7 or EP2K to Moscow. All shifts in Russia are taken by RZD drivers.

• 5-hour difference between China and Moscow

At midnight of 13 July 2003, three culprits of a syndicate sneaked onto a train to Beijing and looted 4 coaches with Chinese passengers by threatening and assaulting them. From 13 to 14 July, the syndicate looted 7400 Russian rubles, 200 USD and 100 RMB. The victims were Chinese traders and students in Russia. The syndicate escaped the train at China on 15 July and the victims lodged a police report after clearing immigration in China. The police sent arrest warrants to all border checkpoints based on the passport information. On 16 December 2003, the head of the syndicate was arrested at Manzhouli, and he was sentenced to jail for 13 years, 3 years suspension of public rights and a fine of 20,000 RMB by Beijing Intermediate Railways Court.^[14]

• China Railway K3/4
• Trans-Siberian Railway
• Longest train services