Lake Sevan Summer Train

South Caucasus Railway (SCR)
Armenia
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The Journey

Navigate from Yerevan Central (Sasuntsi David) to Shorzha (Lake Sevan) across a span of 111km.

Scenery Highlights
  • Lake Sevan shoreline approached directly at the water's edge — one of the highest elevated lakes in the world at 1,900m
  • Rugged Armenian highlands visible throughout the ascent from Yerevan
  • Classic Soviet-era ER2 EMU carriages with wooden bench seating and open gangways
  • Rural village life on display between Yerevan and the lake
  • Sevanavank monastery perched on a peninsula overlooking the lake from the train
  • Dramatic mountain backdrop of the Sevan Range along the northern lake shore
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    2.6 hours

  • Distance

    111 km

  • Est. Price

    AMD 1,000–1,500 per person (approx. USD 2.5–4 — ultra-affordable)

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

Soviet-era ER2 (Electric Multiple Unit, 3-car formation) — built by Рижский вагоностроительный завод (Riga Car Building Plant), 1962–1984 production series; ER2 consists of 3 motor and trailer cars producing 4,000 kW total power output

Locomotive Weight

ER2: approximately 330 tonnes (full 12-car formation); single motor car ~55t

Track Gauge

1,520 mm Russian gauge (standard for South Caucasus Railway network)

Braking Technology

Pneumatic (air) brakes with electro-pneumatic integration on EP2D; traditional air brake system on ER2

Route Engineering Challenges

  • High-altitude operation at 1,900m elevation — Lake Sevan is one of the world's highest large freshwater lakes

  • ER2 trains designed with footboards for low-platform boarding typical of Soviet-era Armenian stations

  • 3 kV DC electrification requires heavy overhead catenary infrastructure through mountain passes

  • Route passes through steep river valleys approaching Lake Sevan from the south

  • Seasonal operation requires maintenance scheduling around winter's sub-zero temperatures and snow

Maximum Speed

100 km/h (ER2) / 120 km/h (EP2D)

Electric System

3 kV DC overhead catenary

Car Length

19.6 m per car (ER2)

Formation

Typically 3-4 cars (ER2); 2-car EP2D for express services

Air Conditioning

EP2D express trains only; ER2 local trains are non-air-conditioned

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    2.6 hours

  • Distance

    111 km

  • Est. Price

    AMD 1,000–1,500 per person (approx. USD 2.5–4 — ultra-affordable)

Official Booking Provider