Russian Railways says it has kicked off a program to redevlop its network around Sochi around Krasnodar as part of the build up to the 2014 Winter Olympics.

In total the state-run operator is to inject $572.5m into overhauling some of its aged network in the region. The program will see Sochi's train station rebuilt, as well as the station at Adler.

Further moves will see a secondary mainline built on the Sochi stretch of the North-Caucasus Railway.

The firm has previously said it believes net cargo transportation in the run-up to the Olympics will jump by 100 million tons, 50-70% of which, the firm says, is likely to be transported by rail freight.