Russia's Red Arrow train celebrates its 80th anniversary this month.

The Red Arrow (Krasnaya Strela) is a sleeper service which leaves St Petersburg at 23.55 every night, arriving at Moscow next morning.

The balancing train also leaves Moscow at 23.55.

The train has run continuously except for the period from 1941-43 when St Petersburg (then called Leningrad) was being besieged by the Germans in the Second World War.

The Red Arrow is probably the most famous Russian train.

In Soviet times, it carried the Communist Party elite between the two cities.

The train has deluxe, first and second class compartments, and a dining car.

Information from Hidden Europe and Itar-Tass