Wagons are a unit of rolling stock designed to transport people or transport goods. In this regard, they are divided into freight and passenger. In addition to railway, there are also passenger cars designed for subways. Each type is represented by several types and models that provide different conditions of transportation.
Passenger cars in Russian Railways trains
For the transport of people, passenger cars are intended. The types of carriages here are distinguished as follows: general (sedentary classes 1 and 2), reserved seats, compartment, CB (Suite) and Premium (VIP), as well as a restaurant car, luggage and mail. Additionally, there are several categories that indicate the presence of certain advantages. And, of course, the class of service may be different.
Wagons without berths
Let us consider in more detail the wagons directly transporting passengers. The types of wagons depend on the conditions created in them. Seating is equipped with seats located in rows with a passage in the middle, which makes the cabin look like an airplane. Rigid armchairs can be installed in suburban traffic, soft ones in inter-regional communication. In the first class there are only 10 seats, more spacious and additional services are provided more than in business or economy classes, where there can be 43-68 seats.
A common carriage is a reserved seat, but people in it ride three in each on the lower shelf, the upper ones are simply not used or are absent at all. Sedentary and general while uncomfortable for long trips. Other types of passenger cars provide for berths, therefore, are more suitable for such purposes.
Wagons with berths
A reserved passenger car includes open compartments for passengers, on the one hand there are two lower and two upper seats, and, on the contrary, through the passage there are also 2 side seats (also upper and lower). Under the lower places there is a place for luggage. There are two folding tables - in the open compartment and on the side seats.
The compartment cars are divided into 9 4-seater compartments with sliding doors that can be locked. Each compartment has a pair of upper and lower berths, luggage under the lower seats, a folding table and a radio. Bed linen and a towel are also provided. Additionally, air conditioning may be provided. Soft wagons are the same compartment, but more comfortable and convenient.
Superior Sleeping Cars
NE (or Lux passenger carriage) is also divided into 9 compartments, but with two berths, usually lower ones. The rest of the equipment is similar to the standard coupe, but provides more comfort. Be sure to have air conditioning.
Premium cars are divided into 4-5 large coupes with different layouts, furnished for a comfortable trip. For example, they can be with a folding sofa bed or a double bed. It often provides not only a place to store luggage and a table, but also an armchair, dry closet, wash basin, shower, air conditioning, wardrobe, TV, DVD and WiFi. One of the compartments may also have a lounge bar. Sometimes there is one shower for the whole car. A number of additional services are included in the price: linen, newspapers, snacks and drinks, as well as toiletries. The compartment is designed for 1-2 people, but in any case the whole compartment is purchased, without sharing.
Freight wagons
Freight trains are designed for the transport of goods by rail. Since a wide variety of goods and substances can be transported, wagons are also selected according to the nature of the cargo. Types of cars characterize the basic properties, and the features are implemented in specific models. Different types and models are each intended for certain categories of cargo, have a different body structure, differ in loading and unloading methods, and provide a certain degree of safety.
The main types of freight cars
Wagons differ both in appearance and in their characteristics and capabilities. Among the most popular, the following types of freight cars can be distinguished: covered, gondola cars, platforms, tanks, hoppers, isothermal and refrigerated, thermoses. They can differ in shape, linear dimensions, volume, floor area, carrying capacity and tare.
The simplest cars
Covered wagons are structurally composed of a frame with a floor, perimeter walls and a roof. For loading and unloading, doors are provided in the side walls. They allow you to transport goods, protecting them from atmospheric precipitation and other adverse external influences. Such a freight car can carry both piece goods and cereals, cars, and even animals. Typically, the carrying capacity is 25-72 tons.
Gondola cars consist of a frame with a floor and walls, but without a roof. Often they transport minerals, metals, timber. Gondola cars designed for transporting bulk cargo can have additional hatches in the floor or walls to simplify unloading. Loading is carried out from above. There is usually no protection against precipitation , but there are options with a removable roof. Four-axle vehicles carry 22-75 tons, and eight-axles provide a carrying capacity of 69-130 tons.
The platforms are designed for the transport of containers, long goods, metal, machinery, equipment, machinery, timber, and bulk cargo, which do not need to be protected from atmospheric precipitation. Carrying capacity reaches 70-73 tons.
Wagons for specific loads
Tanks are a few specific wagons. The types of wagons are sometimes similar in appearance, but the data most often has a cylindrical shape with one or more hatches on top. They have increased tightness, as they carry liquid bulk cargoes, as well as powdered substances and liquefied gases. In addition, tanks can be equipped with a heat-insulating coating or even equipment for heating the cargo, and special devices are installed for monitoring. Four-axles have a lifting capacity of 60-65 tons, and eight-axles carry up to 120-125 tons.
Hoppers are wagons of a special shape, wider at the top and tapering slightly below, designed for bulk cargo like grain, fertilizers, cement, ore, coal, etc. Below they are equipped with a hatch, and the shape contributes to self-unloading. They can be open or closed, with hatches for loading on the roof. Carrying capacity up to 70 t.
Special temperature wagons
Insulated covered wagons are equipped with thermal insulation based on polyurethane foam or polystyrene, a cooling system and a forced air circulation system. They allow you to transport perishable products, as they maintain the required temperature.
Thermoses transport non-perishable food products in bags and containers, as well as some perishable goods, while maintaining a certain temperature regime created during loading for a long time.
Refrigerators provide transportation of perishable goods that can be stored for a long time only at low temperatures. They do not just keep the temperature, like thermoses, but cool or heat the space inside the car to the desired temperature. Designed for 25-40 tons.
Variety of freight car models
It should be noted that there is a wide selection of various models that provide all types of cars. The tank, for example, has many types with different designs and additional features. There are such cars for milk, gasoline, alcohol, petroleum products, pesticides, powders, liquefied gases, acids, etc. And each cargo requires compliance with a number of conditions, which affects the appearance and structure of the tank. The same is true for other types of cars.
Types of subway cars
Their cars are also used for the subway. There are several types that are currently in operation. For example, in the capital on the route there are such types of metro cars as the E series with modifications, 81-717 / 714 series, Yauza (81-720 / 721), Rusich (81-740 / 741) and series 81-760 / 761. Perhaps earlier versions are used somewhere.
Series "E" was produced in the sixties, but is still used, including with modifications. The carriage has 42 seats, although the capacity is up to 270 people. The 81-717 / 714 series has been produced since 1977, provides 40-44 seats and is designed for 308-330 people. “Yauza” is even more modern: it has been produced since 1991, providing also 40-44 seats, and in general accommodating up to 330-350 people. Since 2002, Rusich has been produced, providing already 54-60 seats, or 344-370 seats in total. The wagons underwent major modernization in 2007-2008, as a result of which the 81-717.6K / 714.6K model appeared, which was more comfortable for the driver, equipped with a more efficient ventilation system, for which the best materials and technologies were used.