New double-decker passenger trains began operating on the Moscow–Adler route in November, on the eve of the Olympic Games in Sochi. Despite the fact that the train has been used on this route for almost a year, it still attracts the attention of others. Moreover, there are radically opposite reviews about the two-story building - from quite positive to quite critical. I also had the opportunity to travel on this train. One of the important advantages of a double-decker carriage is its increased passenger capacity, which allowed Russian Railways to reduce fares. In a standard two-story compartment carriage 64 sleeping places (16 compartments), while in a regular carriage there are only 36 (9 compartments).
The cars are produced in Russia at the Tver Carriage Plant. So far, only one route is operating, connecting the capital with the resort Sochi. This year, another 50 double-decker cars will be purchased. They will transport people from Moscow to St. Petersburg and Kazan.
I suggest we take a ride together and see what a double-decker train looks like from the inside.
2. The train leaves at 10 am from the Kazansky station. Travel time is 25 hours. Note the difference in height compared to a regular single-deck carriage.
3. The train is driven by the latest dual-system electric locomotive of the fifth generation - EP20. Can operate on both AC and DC current.
4. This route has a dynamic pricing system - the more on the train free seats, the cheaper the travel costs. There is also a 10% discount when purchasing round trip tickets. I bought a ticket 2 days before departure at a price of 8 thousand rubles. If you buy at least a week before the trip, the price will be around 5 thousand rubles.
5. Let's go inside. Tambour. The doors open with a button and close automatically. Transitions between cars are sealed. Since June 1, smoking on long-distance trains has been prohibited, but some bad passengers have poked holes in the ashtrays.
7. There are three toilets for each carriage. These are dry toilets, and you can use them at any time, including at bus stops.
9. Passage on the first floor. The ceiling height is just over 2 meters.
10. To lock the door in the compartment there are magnetic cards.
11. General view compartment on the first floor. The main difference from conventional single-decker carriages is the absence of an upper luggage rack. It’s also worth keeping in mind that you won’t be able to sit on the top bunk. full height, dangling his legs. There are spaces for luggage under the lower shelves.
12. In each compartment there are two sockets on the bottom row. The lighting is entirely LED.
13. Coupe from inside with closed door.
14. The window does not open: the carriages have a centralized heating and ventilation system. The power supply for the cars comes from the locomotive. There is a sliding curtain on the window. Ventilation grilles are located under the window and on the ceiling.
15. Let's go to the second floor. The steps are illuminated (like in a movie theater), and there are handrails. On the stairs there is another trash container and a spherical mirror to see passengers coming towards you in advance.
16. The second floor is completely identical to the first. The only difference is this small slope of the roof. And the windows are below the waist, and you have to bend over if you want to admire the scenery from the corridor.
17. Upper shelves in the compartment on the second floor. There is a ventilation grille on the ceiling and a speaker with volume control in the center. More interesting point I noticed that on the second floor there are two personal lamps on each top shelf. This is probably due to the slope of the roof - not everyone may be comfortable lying with their head towards the window.
18. The rest is completely identical. I don’t know how to do it at all tall people, but for me, with a height of 182 cm, the length of the sleeping place was enough.
19. Each passenger is given a personal hygiene kit, a small food ration and water. Tea and coffee are served, of course, in branded cup holders.
20. While no one was there, I went straight to the dining car to investigate. The main hall is on the second floor. By the way, the views from the window on the second floor are better.
21. On the lower floor there is a small bar and the kitchen itself. And for the rise ready meals two small elevators are used to reach the top.
22. On the way, the train makes several stops lasting from 5 to 15 minutes. All smoking passengers run outside at the first opportunity. For carriages, it does not matter whether the platform at the station is high or low
23. On the way from Moscow to Voronezh region there was absolutely nothing to see outside the windows. If you're bored, you can try to use the free Internet. All carriages have WiFi routers with connections from Megafon. True, everything depends on the availability of a cellular network, and this is not very good along the route. In fact, more or less stable communications and the Internet were only on the Black Sea coast.
24. At stops you can observe provincial life.
25. In motion - admire nature.
26. Another stop. Rossosh station.
27. Not all views can be photographed properly - numerous wires get in the way. Sometimes, by the way, it turns out that fewer wires come into the frame from the windows of the first floor than from the second.
28. At 2 o’clock in the morning the train should arrive in Rostov-on-Don. Travel time passes unnoticed. Compared to an airplane, the train is much less hectic, more spacious, and gives you time to work. But this is not two hours on an iron bird.
29. In the morning the train leaves for the coast.
30. Vacationers look with interest at the double-decker train. Many people take photographs.
31. The path runs almost close to the water. Definitely the most picturesque part of the route.
32. At 10 am the next day I get off at the station in Sochi and go to the “Strategic Partnership 1520” forum. But more on that in the next part.
As for double-decker cars, they are many times better equipped than conventional single-decker ones. A little tighter on the top shelf? But there are normal toilets, sockets, internet and everything else.
Have you driven one? How are your impressions?
The first double-decker train appeared in Russia. The double-decker train has already departed on the Moscow-Adler route on November 1.
The passengers of the first flight were journalists and volunteers of the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The time spent by passengers on the new train on the road will be 25 hours 19 minutes - a little over an hour less than on a regular train. In the near future, a train will cover the same distance in just 22 hours.
Among the advantages of the new train, Russian Railways notes a smooth ride, free Wi-Fi, 3 toilets instead of two in the carriage, as well as small savings on tickets. The top bunk in a double-decker train compartment will cost 3,206 rubles versus 4,530 in a regular train, writes pro-goroda.ru
At first glance, it seems that a double-decker train has only advantages. But observant Internet users have already discussed the innovation from all sides and found a number of disadvantages that Russian Railways representatives were silent about. A user with the nickname Alexid1 on the yaplakal.com forum clearly described the shortcomings of a double-decker train.
The first drawback. Service There are 36 seats in a regular compartment carriage. The new two-story building has 64 seats. You will have to wait longer for service because there are no more guides. There are still two of them. And there are 28 more passengers in a double-decker carriage. Even more than in reserved seat carriage, where there are 54 passengers. This means the tea will be brought slower than in a reserved seat. You will also have to wait longer to board the train. And you pay as for an ordinary single-decker compartment car. We are told that there will be more tickets than on regular trains, but this is also not entirely true. No one will drive extra carriages; it’s just that if there are fewer passengers on a certain route, then the number of carriages will be reduced proportionally.
The second disadvantage. Stairs Elderly people and disabled people will be especially grateful to Russian Railways for the need to carry suitcases to the second floor. Even from the first floor there will be a small staircase to get to the exit. Only one carriage in the entire train will be single-decker. And of course, seats in it will be sold out first.
The third drawback. Baggage Speaking of suitcases and bags. The luggage rack above the entrance to the compartment is no longer there. Neither on the first nor on the second floor. It is not clear to 4 passengers where to put large luggage. Also on this shelf, guides usually placed blankets and pillows so as not to occupy the lower shelves. Now they will get in the way.
Disadvantage four. Ventilation I often travel in compartment cars of branded trains. They are all brand new, but continuous ventilation only works on one trip out of five. Typically, ventilation is turned on in the evening and turned off at night. I'm not talking about air conditioning, but about a banal influx fresh air. For a long time, sealed non-opening windows have been installed in compartments, and when 4 passengers are traveling and the ventilation does not work for several hours in a row, there is simply nothing to breathe. I can’t even imagine how asthmatics and heart patients endure such torture. Russian Railways has been getting away with this gross violation of sanitary standards for many years. In double-decker cars it will be even heavier, because... The volume of the compartment has become significantly smaller due to the lower ceiling level and the lack of space where there was a luggage rack. You might think that in the newest carriages the ventilation would work. I very much doubt this, because even in branded train 01/02 Moscow-Vladivostok, where the newest cars with double toilets at one end of the car are used, the ventilation is not turned on at all for the entire trip! I argued with the conductors many times - they refer to various technical problems. Thus, the risk of literally suffocating with the ventilation turned off increases even more in a double-decker car. Many people are surprised at how tired they feel after traveling on a night train - they wouldn’t have a headache if there was no ventilation all night and the air didn’t meet any sanitary standards!
The fifth drawback. Toilets Look here. A regular compartment car has 36 seats and 2 toilets. This turns out to be 1 toilet for 18 passengers. The double-decker carriage has 64 seats and 3 toilets - 1 toilet for 21 passengers. Toilets will be 15% busier. Not the best big problem, but in this regard it will become a little worse.
Sixth disadvantage. Tambour and smokers The vestibule on the opposite side of the conductor's compartment was completely removed. And there is nowhere else to smoke. In theory this is great. Yes and new law The Russian Federation prohibits smoking on trains. I myself do not smoke and cannot stand the tobacco smoke that penetrates into the corridor from the vestibule in ordinary carriages. But the reality in Russia is that many selfish smokers will still want to smoke and will do it in the toilets. And everyone will be forced to be poisoned by tobacco smoke when visiting toilets. And in the vestibule where the carriage enters, the conductors do not allow smoking - they often go there themselves and carry out all sorts of maintenance on the carriage systems.
Disadvantage seventh. Risk of injury Once again about stairs. Unlike Europe, our railway tracks are not so ideally laid out and the carriages are not so thought out in terms of suspension comfort and the carriages sway quite a lot while driving. The risk of injury when going down the stairs when you are going to the toilet is very high. Or if you need to bring hot tea or boiling water. And the second floor will be pumped harder.
But Russian Railways is silent about something. New carriages are fraught with many problems. Read more under the cut.
1. Service.
There are 36 seats in a regular compartment carriage. The new two-story building has 64 seats.
You will have to wait longer for service because there are no more guides. There are still two of them. And there are 28 more passengers in a double-decker carriage. Even more than in a reserved seat carriage with 54 passengers. This means the tea will be brought slower than in a reserved seat. You will also have to wait longer to board the train. And you pay as for an ordinary single-decker compartment car.
We are told that there will be more tickets than on regular trains, but this is also not entirely true. No one will drive extra carriages; it’s just that if there are fewer passengers on a certain route, then the number of carriages will be reduced proportionally.
2. Stairs
Elderly people and disabled people will be especially grateful to Russian Railways for the need to carry suitcases to the second floor. Even from the first floor there will be a small staircase to get to the exit. Only one carriage in the entire train will be single-decker. And of course, seats in it will be sold out first.
Speaking of suitcases and bags. The luggage rack above the entrance to the compartment is no longer there. Neither on the first nor on the second floor. It is not clear to 4 passengers where to put large luggage. Also on this shelf, guides usually placed blankets and pillows so as not to occupy the lower shelves. Now they will get in the way.
4. Ventilation
I often travel in compartment cars of branded trains. They are all brand new, but the continuous ventilation only works on one trip out of five. Typically, ventilation is turned on in the evening and turned off at night. I'm not talking about air conditioning, but about a banal influx of fresh air. For a long time, sealed non-opening windows have been installed in compartments, and when 4 passengers are traveling and the ventilation does not work for several hours in a row, there is simply nothing to breathe. I can’t even imagine how asthmatics and heart patients endure such torture. Russian Railways has been getting away with this gross violation of sanitary standards for many years.
In double-decker cars it will be even heavier, because... The volume of the compartment has become significantly smaller due to the lower ceiling level and the lack of space where there was a luggage rack.
You might think that in the newest carriages the ventilation would work. I very much doubt this, since even on the branded train 01/02 Moscow-Vladivostok, which uses the latest cars with double toilets at one end of the car, the ventilation is not turned on at all for the entire trip! I argued with the conductors many times - they refer to various technical problems. Thus, the risk of literally suffocating when the ventilation is turned off increases even more in a double-decker car.
Many people are surprised at how tired they feel after traveling on a night train - they wouldn’t have a headache if there was no ventilation all night and the air didn’t meet any sanitary standards!
5. Toilets
Look here. A regular compartment car has 36 seats and 2 toilets. This turns out to be 1 toilet for 18 passengers. The double-decker carriage has 64 seats and 3 toilets - 1 toilet for 21 passengers. Toilets will be 15% busier. Not the biggest problem, but in this regard it will become a little worse.
6. Tambour and smokers
The vestibule on the opposite side of the conductor's compartment was completely removed. And there is nowhere else to smoke. In theory this is great. And the new Russian law prohibits smoking on trains. I myself do not smoke and cannot stand the tobacco smoke that penetrates into the corridor from the vestibule in ordinary carriages.
But the reality in Russia is that many selfish smokers will still want to smoke and will do it in the toilets. And everyone will be forced to be poisoned by tobacco smoke when visiting toilets. And in the vestibule where the entrance to the carriage is, the conductors do not allow smoking - they often go there themselves and carry out all sorts of maintenance on the carriage systems.
7. Risk of injury
Once again about stairs. Unlike Europe, our railway tracks are not so ideally laid out and the carriages are not so thought out in terms of suspension comfort and the carriages sway quite a lot while moving. The risk of injury when going down the stairs when you are going to the toilet is very high. Or if you need to bring hot tea or boiling water. And the second floor will be pumped harder.
Results
Do you think tickets will become cheaper? Nothing like this will most likely happen. Double-decker cars are beneficial only for Russian Railways - they will save money at the expense of your comfort and safety.
Yes, in Europe there are also double-decker trains, but mostly we are talking about ordinary electric trains with seats, their ventilation always works, and such cars are often placed on regional cheap trains, such as RE in Germany. But there are many ordinary single-decker trains, of which the vast majority. In the conditions of Russia, when Russian Railways is clearly going to replace all ordinary single-decker cars with double-decker ones, traveling on such trains will have no alternative and will actually be tantamount to torture.
All of the above is my personal opinion.
: https://www.yaplakal.com/forum2/topic633791.html
It seems to many of us that we appeared quite recently, with the launch of the Moscow - Adler route. However, their history in our country goes back more than a century and a half. Let's start with the main features of this updated means of transportation.
Double-decker carriage: key points
Two-tier, - modernization of a conventional passenger carriage for greater passenger capacity. There is a two-level arrangement of salons (one above the other). The most illustrative examples are TGV Duplex, Shinkansen E4, Shinkansen E1.
Depending on its design, such a carriage can accommodate 40-70% more passengers. Considering that for the passage of overpasses, tunnels, electrified sections of the route with a canopy contact network a limited height of the train is required, the designers of such cars use all sorts of tricks: the first floor is lowered as low as possible between the bogies, and the height of both compartments is reduced. In tourist double-decker trains, the lower level serves a technical purpose, which is why its height is small, while the upper level is more spacious, comfortable, often with panoramic glazing. Below is a brief comparative description.
Russian double-decker trains
Are there double-decker trains in Russia? Russian Railways offers passengers four types of such carriages:
- coupe (64 instead of 36 seats);
- NE (30 instead of 18);
- staff compartment car (50 instead of 18-24 seats);
- restaurant (44-48 seats for visitors to the dining area).
Double-decker trains in Russia have a whole list of features:
- climate control - air conditioning and heating;
- sealed and safe inter-car passages;
- energy-saving LED lighting;
- three dry closets that can be used regardless of parking;
- stairs with comfortable handrails;
- The cars are powered only by an electric locomotive;
- GLONASS navigation and satellite communication system in the headquarters car;
- modernized security system - video surveillance, access control and train security.
Coupe in a double-decker carriage
Double-decker trains in Russia (St. Petersburg, Moscow, Samara and other destinations) have following features their coupes:
- standard places for rest and sleep, lamps, table, mirror;
- ladders for climbing to the top place;
- shelves for small luggage;
- the ability to access the compartment only with a magnetic individual key;
- two sockets (100 W) for recharging mobile phones, laptops and other electronics;
- made all the beds in the SV and upper compartments;
- individual LCD display for viewing media files for each passenger (SV), headphone output (compartment, SV).
Additionally, passengers are offered the following services: drinking and boiled water along the entire route, sanitary and hygiene supplies, sale of souvenirs, tea and confectionery.
Double-decker trains in Russia: routes
On all routes of two-level trains, Russian Railways guarantees:
- the possibility of a more affordable ticket price due to higher passenger capacity;
- minimal harm environment due to the use of new materials and technologies in the manufacture of cars;
- convenient traffic schedules (double-tier trains - ambulances).
Below are the directions where double-decker trains go in Russia.
Positive feedback from passengers
Positive features noted by passengers who tried double-decker trains in Russia:
- coziness, comfort;
- new modern carriages;
- affordable price;
- reduction of travel time;
- polite and friendly staff;
- ease of use of dry toilets;
- compartment access device;
- free WI-FI;
- high quality food in the restaurant;
- safety;
- purity;
- availability of places for disabled people;
- sleeping place pre-made by conductors;
- sockets directly in the compartment;
- conductor call button;
- on the top floor there is practically no noise of movement;
- air conditioning system;
- unusual for a Russian traveler.
Negative aspects
The disadvantages of the two-level innovation were not hidden from the eyes of passengers:
- Service. If previously there were two conductors per 36-seat carriage, now the same number of workers is provided for 64 passengers.
- Availability of stairs. To get to the second floor, you need to climb some fairly steep steps.
- The upper luggage rack above the entrance has disappeared - luggage can now only be stored in lockers.
- Toilets. Double-decker trains in Russia have only three cabins - one for 21 passengers (instead of 18, as in a regular compartment).
- Strong pitching. Due to the characteristics of Russian railways there is a high probability of strong pitching at the second level. It will be unsafe to be on the stairs during the journey.
Also among the shortcomings, passengers note low ceilings, unregulated climate control, bad smell in the carriages, unfriendly conductors, narrow places to sleep, poor location of windows (too low), interruptions in WI-FI, inflated prices for food, low-quality, tasteless food in the ration for ST.
History of double-decker cars in Russia
On October 30, 2013, a double-decker train of 15 cars departed from Adler to Moscow. Before that, in August, Mineralnye Vody The first Russian depot for double-stack trains was opened. But these events are by no means the beginning of history. double-decker trains in our country - the first such cars were built back in 1864 at the Kolomensky plant. “Cuckoo” (the train was so nicknamed because of the unofficial call “cuckoo”, which the driver used to signal the start of the train’s movement) ran between Peterhof and Oranienbaum, a section of the track in a densely populated dacha area.
In 1905, two-level cars were produced at the Tver carriage building. They were put into operation again only 50 years later - cars produced in the GDR ran between Belgorod and Kharkov, Kovel and Lvov. In their likeness, the Leningrad Carriage Works created a domestic model of a double-decker carriage in the 70s. On the first floor there were sleeping compartments, and the second floor was a tourist floor, an observation floor - there were only places for sitting. Their release was limited - only 16 models. At this point, the history of double-tier trains was interrupted again to begin its new page nowadays.
Private trains
Speaking about innovations on domestic railways, it should be noted that the first private trains in Russia recently began running:
- Electric train "Transexpress" direction Moscow - Kaluga. Its owner is TransGroup AS, which cost $2 million to produce this vehicle at the Dimikha Machine-Building Plant. There are conductors and guards in each of the carriages, so there is no littering, no drinking or smoking, no selling or begging. One minus: all carriages are of the same class - third.
- The private luxury train "Grand Express" runs on the route Moscow - St. Petersburg. The composition is considered the most comfortable in the Russian Federation. Among its services: eco-toilets with heated floors, showers, WI-FI, media player, microclimate system, remote control for lighting control, electronic locks with a magnetic key, a button to call the conductor, and security service.
- 4. Electric train "Severstalrels", Moscow - St. Petersburg. A comfortable electric train consisting of 1st and 2nd class carriages and two bar cars. The composition meets all European requirements for comfort and safety, and is equipped with a climate control system.
Russian Railways and private operators
The appearance of private trains does not in any way abolish the monopoly of Russian Railways. The owners simply own the rolling stock or even rent it. At the same time, they pay for the provision of railway tracks, dispatch services, and locomotive traction. As for preferential travel for citizens, the new operators have not yet canceled it. So far there is a tendency that Russian Railways is putting the most profitable routes into the hands of private owners, but management hopes that in the future non-state trains will also transform unclaimed routes. IN lately On Russian railways you can see a number of innovations - private trains, two-level carriages. Of course, shortcomings can be found in everything, but such progress in the modernization of one of the oldest types of transport in our country cannot but rejoice.
According to Russian Railways' plans, by 2020 almost all long-distance train cars will be replaced with double-decker ones. Their advantages for the only Russian company providing passenger rail transportation are obvious. Double-decker cars are almost 2 times more spacious than usual ones, and this allows you to get much more in one trip. more money. And the passengers themselves will probably find the new unusual motorhomes quite comfortable.
A little history
Currently, only two double-decker trains run on the country's roads: Moscow-Adler and Moscow-St. Petersburg. The cars for both trains were assembled at the Tver plant. This design is by no means a modern invention. Such carriages plied the roads of our country back in 1905. By the way, they were produced by the same Tver plant. A century later, the management of this enterprise decided to revive the old project. Of course, the new double-decker cars of Russian Railways bear little resemblance to their counterparts of the last century. They are made from modern materials and have a more advanced shape. Well, of course, there can be no comparison between these two models in terms of technical equipment.
Differences from conventional carriages
New trains traveling from Moscow to Adler and St. Petersburg also have one more interesting feature. The types of Russian Railways passenger cars are different - reserved seat, general, SV, KB, etc. Double-deckers are classified as compartment cars. There is no reserved seat or SV here. Tickets for such a carriage are not too expensive. You will have to pay a little more for the trip than for a reserved seat on a regular train.
Features of double-decker carriages that are unusual for domestic travelers include the presence of compartments and toilets intended for the disabled, a bar (in addition to the restaurant), and magnetic cards for opening/closing compartments. For those who like to spend free time on the Internet you will probably like the presence of free Wi-Fi and 220 V sockets near each lower berth on trains. The double-decker Russian Railways cars look very modern and quite stylish inside.
Conductor's compartment
In addition to a standard sink, there is a microwave, a thermopot and a coffee machine. If you wish, you can ask the guide to warm up the food you took with you or order coffee. The control panel no longer flashes strange colored lights. In double-decker carriages it is more similar to those found in the steward's cabin on an airplane. The conductor can regulate the climate in compartments and corridors, as well as administer magnetic access systems. The same remote control also controls the car's power system. Among other things, the conductor's room is equipped with a video surveillance screen. The cameras themselves are installed in the corridors of both floors.
Passenger compartment
In addition to sockets, there is a radio point. Unlike regular trains, you can catch your favorite channels on your own. Each compartment, as in a regular train, has a folding table and four berths. The new double-decker cars of Russian Railways are equipped quite well. However, their passengers will have to experience some inconveniences. For example, there are no third shelves in the compartment for luggage. All suitcases and large bags will have to be placed under the lower berth. Of course, due to the design of the carriages, the ceilings in the compartments are much lower.
The sleeping berths in double-decker trains are quite long, but still somewhat less comfortable than in regular trains. Firstly, the windows in the compartment of a double-decker train are located very low. Therefore, you won’t be able to lie down and admire the landscapes passing by. Secondly, due to low ceilings, there is very little free space on the upper shelves. It’s not possible to sit with your legs dangling down in any case.
In addition to Wi-Fi and radio, the compartments of double-decker cars are equipped with climate control systems. The doors have magnetic locks. You can open/close them using a special card. Of course, there is also individual lighting for passengers in the compartment.
Corridors
A passenger who has just entered a double-decker carriage will not see anything particularly new (except for the stairs leading up). Externally, the corridors are very similar to those that everyone is used to seeing on long-distance trains. There are dry closets on both sides, and a carpet is laid out on the floor. The only difference is the location of the windows (almost near the floor) and lower ceilings. On the second floor there is a mirror in the corridor. It is necessary so that people going up and down the stairs can see each other in order to avoid collisions. On the lower and upper floors, the corridors are made from different sides. Therefore, double-decker passenger cars of Russian Railways are quite convenient in terms of observing the landscapes rushing past while moving.
Tambours
Moving from carriage to carriage on a double-decker train is safer and not as scary as on a regular train. Passengers will not hear anything rattling or clanking here. The vestibule doors also do not slam, but close and open automatically using a special button. Smoking on double-decker trains is strictly prohibited. Therefore, there are no ashtrays in vestibules. It is unlikely that you will be able to smoke in the toilet. Control systems are installed here. Smoking passengers can relax with a cigarette only after getting off the train at the stations.
Toilets
Many passengers consider the double-decker carriages of Russian Railways to be quite comfortable due to the presence of new, modern bathrooms. In my own way appearance and functionally they are more similar to airplane toilets. The stops do not close on time, which, of course, is good news. Each toilet has a comfortable toilet, a neat sink, a mirror and a hand dryer. There is no top-opening trash can under the window opposite the bathroom on double-decker trains. Instead, several containers are installed. The garbage is sorted by type.
Dining car
Of course, passengers on the double-decker train have the opportunity to have a delicious lunch on the way. Actually, the restaurant hall itself with tables and comfortable sofas is located on the second floor of the carriage. On the first floor there is only a kitchen and a bar. The dishes are prepared by highly qualified chefs. They are served upstairs in a special mini-elevator. The second one is exactly the same and is designed for lowering dirty dishes. The cost of meals in the dining car of a double-decker train is quite acceptable for people of average income. For soup or borscht, for example, you will have to pay about 250 rubles. Non-alcoholic soft drinks are available at the bar.
Service
Thus, we have found out how a double-decker passenger train car differs from a regular one. Next, let's look at how service in such trains is different from service in regular ones. So, the ticket price for a double-decker train includes:
- bed sheets;
- packed lunch, including yoghurt, sausage, tea bag, bun and mineral water;
- magazines, newspapers.
Ticket price
The price of a travel document depends on the time of its purchase. The fewer seats left in the carriages, the higher the cost of tickets. The road from Moscow to St. Petersburg, if you buy a travel document the day before the train departs, will cost about 3,500 rubles.
Disabled spaces
The designers who developed the double-decker Russian Railways cars also took care of people with disabilities. If necessary, you can get into the carriage without getting out of the stroller. For this purpose, a special platform is provided at the entrance. A disabled person in a wheelchair simply drives onto her, and she lifts him into the carriage. In addition to special compartments, there are also special wide toilets for people with disabilities.
Double-decker Russian Railways cars: reviews
As you can see, a trip in such a train will cost a little less than traveling in a regular train compartment. In this aspect, passenger reviews of double-decker trains are enthusiastic. Many people also like the introduced technical improvements. Although Wi-Fi is not available in many places along the route, it is still available in the carriages. The opportunity to listen to your favorite music on the radio is also good news. In general, the double-decker cars of Russian Railways are equipped better than even some of the old branded ones.
However, reviews of new formulations are not always so rosy. Of course, double-decker cars also have some disadvantages. Passengers primarily include:
- Service. Since there are more people in a double-decker carriage than in a regular carriage, and the number of conductors has not changed, you will have to wait longer, for example, for tea.
- Risk of injury. When moving, the double-decker train sways very much. The stairs in the carriages are quite steep.
- Overcrowded toilets. In a regular compartment car there are 2 for 36 seats (one for 18 people), in a two-story carriage - 3 for 64 (1 for 21 people).
- The absence of third shelves, of course, also does not add convenience to the carriages.
As you can see, on the one hand, double-decker cars are beneficial to the Russian railways"and are quite comfortable for passengers. You will have to pay less for a trip in this composition. However, passengers on the new trains will still have to experience some discomfort, primarily due to cramped conditions. For clarity, a little higher in the article, a diagram of a double-decker Russian Railways car is presented to your attention.