10 themed trains of the Moscow Metro (PHOTOS)
Every year, the capital launches dozens of trains dedicated to famous people, anniversaries of important events or Russian regions.
1. ‘Red Arrow’
This is the oldest named train in the Moscow Metro, which first appeared back in 2006. It’s dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the famous train service running between Moscow and St. Petersburg. You can still see it operating on the ‘Sokolnicheskaya’ (Red) Line. By the way, on May 16, 2026, the ‘Red Arrow’ also took part in a parade of retro trains on the ‘Circle’ (Brown) Line to celebrate the subway’s 91st anniversary.
2.‘Sokolniki’ retro train
Styled after the very first Moscow Metro train, it runs periodically on the ‘Sokolnicheskaya’ (Red) Line. It was launched back in 2010 on the subway’s 75th anniversary. Besides the authentic carriage design and soft sofas, this train has one more detail that takes you back in time: it’s the only train in Moscow without Wi-Fi!
3. ‘Gorky Film Studio’
This train, dedicated to the 111th anniversary of the Gorky Film Studio, was launched in April 2026 on the ‘Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya’ (Orange) Line. Inside, passengers can explore the history of the legendary film studio, see archival photos of beloved actors, as well as film stills.
4. ‘Olympic Express’
At the end of 2025, an Olympic‑themed train appeared on the ‘Arbatsko‑Pokrovskaya’ (Dark Blue) Line. On its inner walls, you’ll find facts about various sports disciplines, photos of Russian and Soviet athletes and a brief history of Olympic sports.
5. ‘Ambulance’
In 2025, passengers could ride a train styled to look like an ambulance. It was launched to mark the 105th anniversary of emergency medical services in Russia. It ran on the ‘Arbatsko‑Pokrovskaya’ (Dark Blue) Line.
6. ‘Tula Oblast’ (Region)
The Moscow Metro has dedicated several named trains to Russian regions. But, perhaps, the most striking is the ‘Tula Oblast’ train on the ‘Arbatsko‑Pokrovskaya’ (Dark Blue) Line, launched at the end of 2025. Each carriage tells a different story about the region’s tourist attractions, including Yasnaya Polyana, where Leo Tolstoy lived and worked, as well as the city of Tula with its famous samovars and gingerbread.
7. ‘Bolshoi Theatre’
In Spring 2026, the Bolshoi Theatre celebrated its 250th anniversary. The Moscow Metro also marked this significant milestone – a train with festive decorations appeared on the ‘Circle’ (Brown) Line. The exterior is adorned with photos of performers and scenes from ballets and operas, while the interior features interesting facts from the theater’s history.
8. ‘Chinese New Year’
In Spring 2026, Muscovites rode a train dedicated to the Chinese New Year. The bright red train symbolised the year’s zodiac animal, the Fire Horse. Inside, red lanterns and poems about the holiday were displayed.
9. ‘RT TV Channel’
To mark its 20th anniversary in Fall 2025, a train featuring the channel’s signature branding appeared on the ‘Arbatsko‑Pokrovskaya’ (Dark Blue) Line. Handrails featured attachments shaped like journalists’ megaphones and microphones, while quotes from foreign media about the Russian TV channel were displayed on the inner walls.
10. ‘Roscosmos’
In 2025, a train dedicated to space exploration and the opening of the National Space Center was launched on the ‘Bolshaya Koltsevaya’ (‘Big Circle’) Line.
