The class Er2 are synonymous for Estonian electric multiple units. This modular Pansovietic design has proven its worth in the local traffic until the modern Flirt trains will arrive in the middle of the decade.

The units started their life as the usual 6 - 8 car Soviet train sets painted green. Some of the modules were broken and anyway the 8 car EMU is an overkill on the routes around Tallinn, so for a long time now the EMUs have been 3 - 4 modules long. The Er2 is an ingeniously modular design easy to adapt to justa bout any need. The basic modules are power module and coach modules, and both come in the middle coach and end driving trailer forms. There are several subtypes also of the driving trailer, please see the next chapter down for this subject.

Technical details for ER2
-> Builder: RVZ  
-> Delivered to use: 1960s - 1980s?       
-> Classes: ER2xx
-> Operators & owners: Elektriraudtee
-> Operating areas: Estonian units only in Estonia, the type is seen just about
everywhere in the ex Soviet colonies, where the countries have not had
money to buy newer EMUs. 
-> Number of units: 10 - 20 left
-> Unit configurations: units have both powered cars and trailers
and configurations can be easily changed from one use to another
-> Unit numbers: 210X - 24XX   

-> Capacity: varies 

-> Operational max. speed: 130 km/h (81 mph)  
-> Unit length: each module 20,1 meters
-> Unit heigth: 
-> Unit width:

-> Power source: 3000V overhead electric
-> Unit power: 800 kW (1087 Hp)
-> Mass, metric tons:
- motor units: 55 metric tons
- driving trailers: 41 tons
- trailers: 39 tons

-> Train control systems: ?
-> Couplers: SA3 semiautomatic couplers 
-> Max axle weight: 20 tons   

-> ventilated environment for personnel and passengers


Easy recognition guide:
- Distinctive features, see above. If you are in Estonia or Latvia, the ER2 units are a very common sight! 

Pictures on the left from up to down
1) The Elekriraudtee Paldiski local train to Tallinn takes a curve about half way on its route. This unit is colored with the matching modules, not always available by the Elektriraudtee. Notice how neatly the unit is maintained, despite of its age no rust and everything is in the mint condition, although obsolete by todays standards. Picture by John McKey

As we discussed earlier, the Er2 some in all forms and shapes. Here we try to catch the types we have found so far.

The first unit on the left is the "main" older type with slightly smaller windows and more pointed front line than the later designs. Also, pay attention to the lights, which give away the age of the EMU.