Russia testing high-speed train

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, May 2 (UPI) -- Russia will have high-speed passenger train service between St. Petersburg and Moscow by the end of the year, officials say.

ITAR-TASS reported the train was expected to set a speed record by traveling nearly 171 miles per hour during test runs Saturday. The German-made Sapsan's maximum operating speed will be about 154 miles per hour.

The test runs are expected to last until December with the first regular run between St. Petersburg and Moscow scheduled before year's end.

The train will make the run between the two cities in 3 hours and 45 minutes, compared with the current 4 hours and 30 minutes travel time.