Double-decker cars of the Russian railway are part of the Moscow-Adler train. Russian Railways plans to launch trains with double-decker carriages with seats on the routes Moscow - Smolensk and Moscow - Belgorod, Moscow - Saratov. Double-decker cars are manufactured in compartment (64 seats), SV (30 seats), restaurant car, business class seated cars (58 seats), economy class seated cars (104 seats). The two-story dining car has 48 seats in the dining room and six seats in the bar. The length of the double-decker car is almost the same as a regular one (the double-decker version is 70 centimeters longer), and the height of the car has become 5.25 meters.
The main difference between a double-decker compartment and a regular compartment is the absence of upper luggage compartments and the height of the ceiling. Instead of 2.5 meters in a regular carriage, in a double-decker carriage the ceiling height is 2.1 meters. The designers of the double-decker car were given the task of “squeezing” it into the dimensions of a regular car. This is achieved by placing the first floor compartments between wheeled trolleys. Now, in order to get into the compartment on the first floor, passengers will need to go down the stairs and go up to the second floor accordingly. The entrance to the carriage, the conductor's compartment, and the toilets are located on the “middle” level.
On the diagram of a double-decker car the numbers indicate:
1 – vestibule
2 – office space
3 – conductor’s compartment
4 - ladder of the brake end of the car
5 - passenger compartment of the first floor
6 - ladder not at the brake end of the car
7, 8, 9 – toilets
10 – utility room
11 - corridor of the non-braking end of the car
12 - large corridor of the first floor
13 - corridor of the brake end of the car
14 - large second floor corridor
15 - passenger compartment of the second floor.
The compartment numbers are indicated in red from 1 to 16. In the four-seater coupe version, the seats are arranged (odd seats - lower places, even places top places):
First floor:
compartment No. 1 – 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place,
compartment No. 2 – 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th place,
compartment No. 3 – 9, 10, 11 and 12 places,
compartment No. 4 – 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th places,
compartment No. 5 – 17, 18, 19 and 20 places,
compartment No. 6 – 21, 22, 23 and 24 places,
compartment No. 7 – 25, 26, 27 and 28 places,
compartment No. 8 – 29, 30, 31 and 32 places.
Second floor:
compartment No. 9 – 81st, 82nd, 83rd and 84th place,
compartment No. 10 – 85th, 86th, 87th and 88th place,
compartment No. 11 – 89, 90, 91 and 92 places,
compartment No. 12 – 93rd, 94th, 95th and 96th place,
compartment No. 13 – 97, 98, 99 and 100 places,
compartment No. 14 – 101, 102, 103 and 104 places,
compartment No. 15 – 105, 106, 107 and 108 places,
compartment No. 16 – 109, 110, 111 and 112 places.
Numbering of a double-decker SV class car:
First floor
compartment No. 1 – 1st, 2nd place,
compartment No. 2 – 3rd, 4th place,
compartment No. 3 – 5, 6th place,
compartment No. 4 – 7, 8 place,
compartment No. 5 – 9, 10th place,
compartment No. 6 – 11, 12 place,
compartment No. 7 – 13, 14 place,
compartment No. 8 – 15th, 16th place.
Second floor
compartment No. 9 – 81st, 82nd place,
compartment No. 10 – 83, 84 place,
compartment No. 11 – 85, 86 place,
compartment No. 12 – 87, 88 place,
compartment No. 13 – 89, 90th place,
compartment No. 14 – 91, 92 place,
compartment No. 15 – 93, 94 place,
coupe No. 16 – 95, 96 place.
The double-decker carriage can have 64-seat and 30-seat options. The 64-seater carriage has four-seater compartments, and the 30-seater carriage has two-seater compartments.
Passenger compartments of a double-decker Russian Railways carriage are equipped with: two lower seats and two upper ones (not available in the 30-seat version), in the double compartment there are shelves for small items, under the window table, a ladder and a handrail for climbing onto the upper berths (in the double version - absent ), hooks for clothes and a mirror on the door.
Double-decker carriage with seats
The double-decker economy class carriage will accommodate 104 seats. In the business class carriage, there will be 29 luxury seats on each floor. The seats in the business class can be turned towards the direction of the train, or the interlocutors can turn the seats towards each other. All double-decker carriages are equipped with air conditioning and Wi-Fi with Internet.
At the moment, there are only two double-decker trains: No. 104, Moscow - Adler, and No. 5, Moscow - St. Petersburg. The carriages of both trains were built at Distinctive feature These modern trains have a much larger capacity than conventional ones.
Fare
It will cost a trip to each of these double-decker trains a little cheaper than a regular train. However, only if the ticket is purchased in advance. The less free seats remains in the carriages, the more expensive they are. A ticket for the two-story Adler, purchased in advance, will cost about 4,000 rubles. A train ticket to St. Petersburg costs about 1,300 rubles. Sales for flights begin as usual - 45 days before departure.
Both double-decker trains belong to the branded class. they don't have it. In addition to the compartments, there are several SVs. The capacity of one carriage is 64 seats. This was mainly the reason for the reduction in fares on the double-decker train. For comparison: a carriage usually has only 39 seats.
Features of the composition
A double-decker train differs from a regular train primarily in the height of the cars. The train is driven by a fifth-generation locomotive EP-20, capable of operating on both AC and AC power. The high-rise cars are distinguished by their modern appearance. Each one has the branded abbreviation Russian Railways, written in red letters, clearly visible on a gray background.
The Adler restaurant has a seating capacity of 60, and the St. Petersburg restaurant has 48 seats. Two waitresses serve visitors. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the train. As in regular trains, food is also sold in the corridors several times a day. In addition to the restaurant, the double-decker train also has a bar for eight people. It is located on the first floor. Next to it is the kitchen. It is connected to the restaurant by two elevators. One of them is designed to go upstairs ready meals, and the second is for lowering dirty dishes.
Facilities for disabled people
The convenience of these two new trains also includes the fact that they have carriages specially designed for people with disabilities. disabilities. Their distinctive features are wide corridors. Passengers can navigate them directly in the stroller. There is a special lift at the entrance to the car. Thus, a disabled person can get on the double-decker train itself (a photo of it can be seen on the page) without getting out of the wheelchair.
First floor
Most passengers who have already traveled on these trains describe them as quite comfortable. The carriages are a little cramped than usual, but quite comfortable. The height of the corridors is slightly more than two meters. Doors in compartments can be closed/opened using a magnetic card. Traveling on the train is completely safe - the passages between cars are sealed.
The two-story structure, judging by the reviews, is, among other things, also very clean. Smoking is prohibited in the vestibules. Each carriage has three dry closets. You can use them, including at bus stops. There are also containers on the train for sorting garbage.
Second floor
A fairly well-equipped staircase leads upstairs from the first floor. Its steps are illuminated, and you can hold on to the comfortable handrails. A garbage container is installed on the interfloor area. A viewing spherical mirror is suspended above it. Passengers going down the stairs can see those going up, and vice versa.
The second floor of the train is very similar to the first. The only difference is that the ceiling here is slightly sloping, and the windows are very low - at the level of an adult's waist.
Train compartment
Passengers who have purchased a ticket for the branded Moscow-Adler double-decker train or to St. Petersburg can settle in very well. The compartments in these trains are quite comfortable and well equipped. Each of them is designed for four people. The length of the shelves in the compartments is slightly shorter than in the carriages of regular trains. However, even tall people can fit on them more or less comfortably. The only thing is to sit in full height It won't work on the second shelf. The ceilings on both floors are quite low. There are no third luggage racks in the compartment and SV. Suitcases can only be placed under the bottom ones.
The lighting in the compartment is LED, and next to each of the two lower shelves there are sockets built into the wall for charging phones and laptops. Free Wi-Fi is available on double-decker trains. Communications are provided by Megafon. Among other things, each compartment has a separate radio point. The presence of a climate control system increases the comfort of the trip. However, unfortunately, it is impossible to regulate the temperature in each individual compartment.
Windows throughout the train are equipped with modern soundproof double glazed windows. SV cars have LCD monitors designed for viewing video programs.
Service
When boarding a double-decker train, as in any branded train, passengers are given bed linen. The ticket price also includes a sanitary kit, newspapers, boiled water during the entire route and packed rations. The latter includes bottled drinking water, jam, crackers, chicken pate, mustard, mayonnaise, waffles. Just like on regular trains, tea is served periodically. The hygiene package includes a spoon, fork, knife, toothpick, and paper napkin.
Both double-decker trains are escorted by police officers. In order for them to monitor order in the carriages, video cameras are placed in the corridors.
Double-decker train: reviews
As already mentioned, passengers had a good opinion about these trains. First of all, the low cost of travel and the absence of standard inconveniences of Russian trains are noted: closed toilets at stops, heat or cold in the cars, non-working boilers, etc.
Passengers primarily note that the disadvantages of these trains are that the carriages are somewhat cramped. Clean and comfortable toilets are also something that the double-decker train boasts of. Reviews about it in this regard are also very good. However, the toilets can sometimes get smoky. Smoking is prohibited in the vestibules of both trains. Therefore, some passengers do this in the toilet. The lack of third shelves also causes some inconvenience. If there is too much luggage, there will simply be nowhere to put it.
Lineup schedule
The double-decker train moves a little faster than usual. The average speed is about 160 km/h. The schedule has been developed in such a way that the majority of passengers spend the shortest possible time on the route. From Moscow to Adler you can travel by double-decker train in about 25 hours. To St. Petersburg - 8 hours.
As you can see, the double-decker train (the photos confirm this) can be assessed as quite convenient and comfortable. The ticket is inexpensive, and the train moves very quickly. So you can even put up with some cramped conditions.
On February 1, a new double-decker train was launched; it will run every day on the route “St. Petersburg - Moscow” and in the opposite direction.
The train will depart at 22:50 and arrive at 6:47. Travel time is about 8 hours.
Ticket prices will be floating, as in air travel: the fewer tickets left, the more expensive they are. The minimum cost is 1,299 rubles, at this price approximately 200 seats will be sold, then about 300 seats at 1,699 rubles - and so on in increasing order. The most expensive last ticket will cost 3,299 rubles.
The train has 13 passenger cars and a dining car. There are only “coupes” here - there will be no reserved seat or SV. Each carriage has 64 seats, which is twice as many as a single-deck carriage.
By the way, double-decker cars are made in Russia, at the Tver Carriage Plant.
The conductor's service room - here is the car control panel, a very interesting thing.
Like on an airplane: control of the carriage’s power system, climate control, administration of the magnetic access system in the compartment (okay, the latter is not present on the airplane).
Video surveillance of the carriage.
All compartments are opened with a magnetic key.
Here, in fact, is the compartment itself, this is the second floor.
Individual lighting, 220 V socket.
The carriage has a radio and air conditioning system. The radio volume can be adjusted.
First floor compartment.
The bathroom is like on an airplane.
The composition includes a staff car, there are only 50 seats, but there are compartments for disabled people and their accompanying people. It costs the same as a regular coupe, but beneficiaries ride for free.
Pictograms are duplicated for the visually impaired.
There is a specially equipped bathroom for disabled people.
There is a bar and it is separate from the dining car.
This is a separate topic. Today, on trains, dishes no worse than those in a restaurant are available; a huge room on the first floor of the dining car has been equipped for this purpose. And all the food is sent to the dining room by elevator, which can be seen in this photo
And here is the hall itself (or, more precisely, only half of the hall is shown in the photo).
This is how food and food are delivered to the second floor.
I couldn't help but look at the prices on the menu.
Gradually, such cars will replace reserved seats on most long-distance routes. This will happen no earlier than 2020.
The first double-decker cars in Russia were created at the Tver Carriage Works back in 1905.
The history of modern Russian double-decker cars began on June 16, 2009. It was then that OJSC Russian railways» approved the technical specifications for the model range of locomotive-hauled double-decker passenger cars - compartment, SV and staff. The project is being implemented by the Tver Carriage Works.
Serial production of double-decker passenger cars began at TVZ in 2011.
On at the moment double-decker cars run on the following routes:
- Moscow – Kazan as part branded train No. 23/24 - launch date - June 1, 2015.
- Moscow - St. Petersburg as part of the branded train No. 5/6 - launch date - February 1, 2015.
- Moscow - St. Petersburg as part of the branded train No. 7/8 - launch date - February 1, 2016.
- Moscow - Adler as part of the branded train No. 103/104 - launch date - October 30, 2013.
- Moscow - Voronezh as part of the branded train No. 45/46 - launch date - July 31, 2015.
- Moscow - Samara as part of passenger train No. 49/50 - launch date - December 3, 2015.
- St. Petersburg - Adler as part of the branded train No. 35/36 - launch date - May 28, 2016.
- Moscow-Yaroslavl - planned to launch in 2016.
Characteristics of 2-decker cars
Compartment carriage: 64 berths (instead of 36).
SV carriage: 30 seats (instead of 18).
Staff compartment car: 50 seats (instead of 18-24).
Dining car: 44-48 people in the dining room.
The carriages consist of 4-seater or 2-seater insulated compartments located on 2 floors.
Each compartment has: a table, places to lie, ladders for climbing top place, mirrors, lamps, shelves for small items. The compartments are glazed with double-glazed windows.
The compartments are equipped with 2 sockets for connecting electric shavers, mobile and other devices with a power of no more than 100 W.
In 2-seater compartments (SV), each seat is equipped with an LCD display for viewing video programs.
Access to compartments is based on individual magnetic key cards.
All carriages are equipped with:
- three dry closets that can be used during stops;
- air conditioning and heating systems, which ensure a comfortable microclimate;
- energy-saving LED lamps;
- comfortable stairs with handrails;
- compartment for people with disabilities and a wheelchair lift (in the staff car);
- rigid sealed inter-car passages;
- video surveillance system, control system, access control and security of a passenger train.
The energy supply is provided by an electric locomotive, which ensures that the train is environmentally friendly.
The staff car is equipped with satellite communications and navigation equipment (GLONASS).
Advantages of 2-decker cars
- Reducing the cost of travel in compartment and SV carriages by increasing the number of seats in the carriage.
- convenient schedule and shortest travel time for a larger number of passengers;
- environmentally friendly operation (cars are created using new technologies, equipment and materials).
- The composition has become more comfortable for people with disabilities. They have a number of amenities that are not available on regular trains.
- Each compartment is equipped with electrical outlets (two per compartment).
Disadvantages of 2-decker cars
- no luggage rack
- The ceiling height in the compartment of a double-decker car is lower than in a single-decker, so you won’t even be able to sit on the top bunk.
Double decker train photos
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 along 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 will not be 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 normal compartment carriage there are 2 of them for 36 seats (one for 18 people), in a two-story one - 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 company and are quite convenient 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.