Modern transport systems provide many opportunities to quickly and comfortably overcome tens of kilometers of land space. By plane, you can fly from one end of the country to the other in a matter of hours, or you can travel the same distance on a comfortable bus along convenient modern roads.
One of the most enjoyable ways to travel is by rail. Everyone who has ever visited a coupe is familiar with the sound of wheels, tea in a glass with a cup holder and leisurely conversations with fellow travelers. However, few are familiar with its history and some interesting features. Moreover, not even everyone can find their own places in a compartment car without the help of a guide.
Well-known model
From childhood, we all began to be familiar with the all-metal coupe car at the Ammendorf plant in the German Democratic Republic, especially for the needs of the USSR. Its manufacture and delivery began in the 60s and continued until the mid-80s. This production of wagons was the most massive in the history of the railway. In total, more than 30 thousand were produced.
At the moment, this type of vehicle is being actively debited in all CIS countries. This situation is happening on the Russian Railways. The compartment car manufactured in Ammendorf, although familiar to our fellow citizens, does not meet the modern requirements for the carriage of passengers.
Scheme of a coupe
The ticket is in hand, but where to go with it - is it a familiar situation? To avoid such questions, it is worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the layout of the coupe car.
Let's start by deciphering the concept of "coupe." This is a type of sleeping passenger car of the second class. In terms of convenience, it is much better than a reserved seat, but less comfortable than a luxury or SV. Depending on the type, compartment cars are divided into 9 or 10 hotel compartments. Each of them is closed by a moving door and is designed to accommodate four people. It has a folding table, a hanger, luggage racks and drawers. A mirror hangs on the door. The coupe car of the modern model is usually equipped with air conditioning.
All compartment wagons are necessarily equipped with titanium for heating hot water, a compartment for resting a guide, a working area for conductors, two bathrooms and vestibules.
There are 36 or 40 seats in compartment cars. Moreover, they are numbered according to the following principle: all odd places are lower, and all even places are upper. Numbering of places begins from a compartment of the conductor.
Comfort Coupe
The price of a ticket in SV and luxury carriages is at least twice the cost of an ordinary compartment. Why is there such a difference?
The layout of the enhanced comfort car is not much different from the second class we have already studied. That's just in the SV accommodates one or two passengers. All shelves in the car are lower. At the same time, the number of compartments remains the same, that is, passengers are at least two times less, respectively, less noise, fuss and unforeseen situations due to the human factor.
For the convenience of passengers, each compartment of the first-class carriage is additionally equipped with a wardrobe and a TV. Shelves are softer, always with backs for sitting.
Since there are no upper shelves in this type of car, additional luggage compartments are located in their place.
The interior of the car itself is also slightly different from its second-class counterparts. It contains, although insignificant, but generally ennobling minimalist design details. And finishing materials are mostly of higher quality.
The best seat in the car
It seems that all the seats of the coupe are the same. However, among them you can find the best and worst. For example, few people love the place at number 36, since this is the extreme upper shelf near the toilet. Its main drawback is the constant noise in the corridor, fussing behind the wall and an unpleasant smell.
Also, experienced travelers do not recommend purchasing seats in the compartment closest to the guide. The luggage compartments in them can be occupied with blankets, parcels with gears and other things. If you are not lucky and this situation happens, it will be completely pointless to argue and curse - there is not enough space on the train, but all this stuff still needs to be stored somewhere.
According to the majority, the best places in the compartment car are 9, 11, 13 and 15. Titanium, a conductor, a toilet and a vestibule (this is important for smokers) are nearby. And at the same time, they are located far enough not to smell from the toilet and cigarette smoke.
Safety or fresh air
Before proceeding with the selection of tickets, you need to learn about another catch of sleeping passenger cars. In a compartment under numbers 3 and 6 windows do not open. And not only in the compartment car. In the NE and reserved seat the situation is similar.
There is no possibility to open the windows due to the special design of the frames, since it is through these compartments that passengers are supposed to be evacuated in the event of an accident. It is believed that a half-closed window can become a serious obstacle on the way.
So if you like fresh air, these places are not for you.