Train Travel in Russia

[cstaats]

I will be traveling to Russia this summer and will have an opportunity to travel from Moscow to St Petersburg by rail. I will also be traveling to several cities in the Karelia Region by rail as well. What can I expect from the Russian rail system? I will be traveling in a first class compartment so I am informed it will be the most comfortable. Any information would help.

[Anonymous]

I traveled by train in Russia back in 1988 (Then the Soviet Union under the control of the communist) The train was comfortable but sparse. We were kept in a seperate car away from Russian and other eastern block citizens...when one intoxicated passanger stumbled into our car he was "escorted" back to his.
The train crew was polite and friendly. The train madfe frequent starts and stops, which made sleeping a little dificult. But again...this was 15 years ago, and under the Soviets...I suspect things have changed both for the better and the worse.