Before we begin our story, let me step back a little from the topic and recall the literature, namely the work of the ingenious Mikhail Afanasevich Bulgakov. Mentally move to the alley on the Patriarch's Ponds and sit down not far from the bench where three enthusiastically speaking people were sitting ... To the question of the strange foreigner about what Mikhail Berlioz intends to do this evening, the Chairman of MASSOLITA answered that he was to participate in the meeting.
“ No , this can not be in any way ,” the foreigner firmly objected .
“ Why is that ?”
“ Because ,” said the foreigner ... “ that Annushka had already bought sunflower oil , and not only bought it , but even spilled it .” So the meeting will not take place . ”
Of course, Berlioz was impressed, but he could not understand what the notorious Annushka had to do with it. After a couple of hours, leaving Woland with his companion poet Bezdomny on the bench, Mikhail Alexandrovich went to meet his, as it later turned out, already predetermined fate ... Thus began a whole series of incredible events described in an unforgettable Bulgakov novel.
Today on Chistye Prudy you can meet an amazing tram that bears the name of the very clumsy Annushka, who played her fateful role. Modern trams that run along the rails of Russia and the world undoubtedly bypass the Annushka in speed and comfort, but considering unusual transport, we will pay attention to it as well.
Some instances are striking in design, amazing engineering solutions, speed. Citizens, often using public transport, quickly get used to the news, and sometimes it makes an indelible impression on tourists. What are modern trams like? Are there any recognized leaders among them?
For those who don't like traffic jams
The problem of transport collapse today is relevant not only for megacities, but also for provincial small towns. At rush hour, the roads are so congested that traffic jams are inevitable. In different countries, they have always tried to solve this problem in a variety of ways: they looked for alternatives, built additional routes, tried to popularize public transport. The pioneer was the bus. However, it soon turned out that he gets into traffic jams at least as “cars”. But the tram could get rid of such problems, because the main part of the paths runs along the roadway, and not directly along it. Thus, the tram could easily pass by kilometers of traffic jams, while trolleybuses and buses took the same passive part in them as passenger cars.
This was the reason for modernization and development. In many countries around the world, the production of modern trams makes huge bets. Russia is among such countries, trying to develop its own production and partially purchasing transport abroad. Today, modern trams travel in many large cities of the Russian Federation.
The path to excellence
Once upon a time, small tram cars were set in motion with the help of horsepower, and the real ones. Even the song "High-Speed Tram" was composed by grateful passengers of horse-drawn cars. Progress has spoken, and the electric motor has replaced the driver. At the end of the 19th century, the first electric trams appeared. They did not differ either in particular speed or in the level of comfort, and over time they were replaced by a more convenient transport - bus. In the Soviet Union, it was customary to think that the tram theme had exhausted itself completely. By the end of the 20th century, this transport could be seen in many provincial towns and even regional centers, but even then there was a moral obsolescence. And in the West, meanwhile, there was a real tram renaissance. For example, a modern high-speed tram was already hovering over the streets of New York in those days, which traveled not along rails, but along a tensioned cable, like a funicular.
Russia again paid close attention to such a method of transportation at the beginning of the new century. Today, transport infrastructure is developing rapidly. For example, in Volgograd, a modern light rail line runs underground like a subway. The traditional tram is popularized and improved in Magnitogorsk. Peter has the largest track network in Russia and an impressive fleet. And on the streets of the capital, several comfortable trams travel that can compete for the title of the most modern in the world.
Low gender problem
When developing modern transport, the main problem for a long time remained a feature of the chassis design, due to which the floor of the tram was quite high. This is not only a matter of passenger comfort, as it might seem at first glance. The presence of steps negatively affects the speed of landing and boarding, especially this factor delays people of advanced age, citizens with luggage, children, and people with disabilities. This overloads the network as a whole.
The designers tried to cope with the problem in different ways. But only the complete revision of the running gear allowed to finally resolve the issue. Some parts and assemblies were moved to the roof.
Polish trams "Pesa" - especially for Russia
A significant part of the new trams that service Russian roads today are purchased abroad. The Polish factory PESA, located in the city of Bydgoszcz, specifically for Russia produces 3 models of trams: "Foxtrot", "Krakowyak" and "Jazz". In addition to the usual models with one cab, Poland also supplies shuttle vehicles that can ride in both directions. Currently, cooperation is being established between the Polish manufacturer and the Ural plant, which will soon produce new trams.
Russian R1
Own production is gradually getting better. The most modern tram that will be mass-produced in Russia for the domestic market is called Russia One, or R1. It has two cabins, a low floor, an ultramodern futuristic design and a comfortable lounge. Currently, Uralvagonzavod has introduced a prototype of a new transport, and a conveyor will soon be launched.
The manufacturer promises that serial trams will differ from the prototype by no more than a few percent. Today, experts argue that the only drawback of the developers is the small capacity of the cabin - only 28 people (sitting) can comfortably seat and sofas. But, perhaps, it is precisely the increase in the number of seats that will become the very difference between production models and the prototype.
Modern trams of the capital
The Moscow tram depot boasts several models of modern vehicles that are in no way inferior to the transport of Europe and the United States. The modern tram in Moscow is not only a tribute to fashion, but also a measure forced in connection with transport collapse.
Along with Polish trams, vehicles that descended from the Uralvagonzavod conveyors are driving along the streets of the capital. At the beginning of summer, the capital's fleet will be replenished with several new cars, and a total of 120 modern domestic trams are planned to be delivered by the end of the year.
Municipal transport in St. Petersburg
The northern capital, rich in antiquities and historical monuments, is also famous for such a landmark as trams. According to Peter, a huge variety of them, both ultra-new and vintage, travels around them. Some serve only on excursion routes, they ride tourists to the historical places of North Palmyra.
It is also noteworthy that the modern tram in St. Petersburg can be met not only in the center, but also on the outskirts. For example, route No. 56 runs along the southwestern outskirts. The transport produced by the French company Alstom meets the most modern requirements and looks like a space shuttle against the background of St. Petersburg landscapes.
The most unusual trams on the roads of Russia and the world
In addition to the obvious function of transporting passengers, trams sometimes appear in completely unexpected roles. For example, in Milan you can visit the tram sauna. Of course, this object does not ride around the city, but is installed permanently. In the Netherlands there is a tram hotel, the trailers of which are converted into comfortable rooms. Hungary boasts the longest train in the world - its length reaches 52 meters.
Special attention deserve the tram cafe. One of them has long attracted the attention of Lviv tourists. Well, "Annushka", unlike most of these institutions, does not gather dust in the comfort of the park, and rides along the route. Its interior and menu, as one would expect, refer to the wonderful world of Bulgakov’s novels.