ER2 electric train (pass train "Adler - Sukhum") has arrived to Gagra station. ER2 electric trainsets was manufactured in Riga Railroad Machinery Plant (USSR) since 1962 till 1984 for suburban commute usage within Soviet Union on lines electrified on 3000 V DC. On this photo you can see ER2 trainsets built in 1972 сurrently retired from train operation. Unfortunately, last years majority of such trainsets excluded from operations at Russian Railways. The action take place in unrecognized republic of Abkhazia (not far away from border with Russia), a disputed territory on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and the south-western flank of the Caucasus. The status of Abkhazia is a central issue of the Georgian–Abkhazian conflict. The wider region formed part of the Soviet Union until 1991. Abkhazia was severely damaged during the conflict. Many infrastructure objects were destroyed. Devastation came in cities and settlements. Only in recent years country begins to slowly recover. In 2011 Russians repaired railroad infrastructure: cleared the road from vegetation and garbage, laid concrete sleepers, reconstructed traction substation, restored permanent electricity. There were frequent problems with the electricity in Abkhazia until 2011, so trains had been caried by diesel locomotives.
