Double-decker Russian- made cars were presented by the Tver Carriage Works (TVZ) back in 2009. Is it worth reminding readers that the new is often the forgotten old?
Such cars existed, as it turns out, even before the revolution (Sormovsk and Tver production), and in the USSR they were quite common for some time. In the 1960s, double-decker passenger cars launched in the GDR began to appear (they traveled mainly along the Kovel-Lviv route). However, how could the Soviet Union have ceded to another, even friendly country? A great power creates its double-decker cars (based on those that are produced in the GDR), running in the Chelyabinsk region and between Ryazan and Moscow. Judging by the appearance of those trains that we are used to seeing today, innovations on the railway did not take root. Perhaps it was all about amenities or lack thereof.
What do modern double-decker cars so common in Europe look like? By the way, there they cruise mainly at night and are called kushetnye (and in our country - "compartment, with increased capacity").
So, the new two-story car is designed for eight compartments on the first floor and eight on the second. Accordingly, the capacity is doubled, as well as the total weight of the car. To reduce the severity, they decided to somewhat “cut off” the space (due to the ceiling), abandon the luggage compartments at the top (on each floor), and instead of the transformer shelves install the usual ones. As a result, the total weight of the car exceeded the previous one by only 10% (about 65 tons). The length of the giant is 26.2 m, the height is 5.25.
The corridors of the floors run on different sides, but the upper level windows end rather low. Therefore, if you want to enjoy the scenery, you have to bend down or sit down. A similar problem smiles at passengers on the upper shelves - the windows in the compartment are also low. Manufacturers promise to fix the shortcomings in the future.
The new double-decker car has only one door. In order to go to your place, you have to go down (or, conversely, climb) the stairs. This is also not entirely convenient. The opposite end of the car (also the "middle level") is equipped with three toilet rooms. The possibility of using showers (their installation was planned) is still in question.
I must say that passengers will now be spared from the noise from neighboring compartments, the lights constantly on at night and other inconveniences accompanying “reserved seats”. The atmosphere will now be similar to the compartment. Thanks to the through corridor, ventilation will be improved, and the ability to lock the door will to some extent enhance the safety of both the passengers themselves and their luggage.
Couch wagons will most likely be used on night routes when the proposed minimum comfort is sufficient for passengers.
The timing of the mass appearance of the "giants" on the railway is still foggy. Russian Railways approval has already been expressed, and tests will show whether it is advisable to put into operation double-decker cars. They may be most demanded on routes from Moscow to St. Petersburg, Minsk, Kiev, Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Kostroma, Novgorod, Kazan.