Soviet Railways ЭУ 708-64, Steam locomotive monument at Volkhovstroy-1 station, Russia
Soviet Railways ЭУ 708-64 is a locomotive monument located at Volkhovstroy-1 station, featuring a 0-5-0 wheel arrangement and sturdy steel construction dating from 1931. The engine remains preserved on display near the main station building, serving as a physical record of Soviet railway technology from that era.
Built in 1931 at the Bryansk Krasny Profintern plant as works number 3482, the locomotive was first based at Kandalaksha, survived a 1935 accident, and by 1941 worked from the Volkhovstroy depot. On 7 February 1943, with Ivan Pirozhenko's crew, it brought the first food train after the blockade was broken into Finland Station, Leningrad. In 1979 enthusiasts found it at a Belgorod reserve base; it was installed here and unveiled on 9 May 1980.
The locomotive gained regional heritage status in 1980 as a symbol of Soviet railway workers' technical skill and determination during wartime. Today it stands as a visible reminder of the effort required to supply a city cut off from the outside world.
The locomotive stands on a section of railway track on the west side of Volkhovstroy-1 station, at Privokzalnaya Square 7a, parallel to the tracks and facing toward Saint Petersburg. It is an outdoor monument, so it can be viewed at any hour; the station building and square are reached on foot from the town centre.
The locomotive's factory number was 3482, built in 1931 at the Bryansk "Krasny Profintern" plant. It was first assigned to Kandalaksha depot, where it received the number 708-64. After an accident on 26 May 1935 and repairs, it was transferred to Petrozavodsk in 1936 and to Volkhovstroy in 1941.
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