More recently, the train was perceived as an uncomfortable vehicle for moving around the country. But over time, the level of comfort for passengers began to grow. On long-distance trains, it has already become the norm when napkins, towels, and hygiene items are included in the set of amenities.
But the speed of movement remained the same. Trains of a new generation are called upon to change travel time and increase the quality of service.
Sapsan: fast transport
The newest high-speed train is called the Sapsan. So the railway company shows that the new rolling stock is as fast and fast as this bird from the falcon family.
Especially for the Russian corporation Russian Railways, the German engineering concern Siemens designed the Sapsan train, the wagon diagram of which is fundamentally different from the usual for many Russians. The design maximum speed of the new car reaches 350 km / h.
The Velaro platform, a modification of ICE 3 trains, were taken as the basis for the new trains. The design took into account the requirements of the standards and climatic conditions of Russia.
Trains are actively operated in two directions: Moscow - St. Petersburg and Moscow - Nizhny Novgorod. Moreover, on the last branch of the train, as a rule, two-system ones, where with a route length of 436 kilometers, the maximum speed reaches 160 km / h. Whereas single-system trains of the first direction move at a speed of up to 250 km / h with a length of 645 km.
Sapsan - a new generation train
Unlike the usual layout in Sapsan trains, the layout of the car is fundamentally new. And as such, the locomotive is no longer here.
In Russia, there was already an attempt to develop your train with speed characteristics up to 350 km / h. Since 1992, for seven years, the Central Design Bureau of Marine Equipment Rubin, preparations were underway for the production of the first high-speed Russian train, the Sokol-250 (ES-250). And by 2000, a prototype was assembled.
Design solutions of the Falcon had no analogues in the practice of domestic engineering. He possessed such characteristics:
- all-welded body made of light aluminum alloys ;
- microprocessor-based train control;
- traction drive improved with new current collector, etc.
But the development of the Sokol-250 was suspended and frozen, as it was decided that it was easier and more profitable to use the development of the Siemens company with minor modifications, taking into account Russian realities.
The first flight "Sapsan" made on the route "Moscow - St. Petersburg" December 17, 2009.
It consisted of 10 cars with a total capacity of more than 600 passengers, the entire route was covered in 3 hours 45 minutes.
The photo below shows the Sapsan train (wagon diagram 4).
Where to eat?
On Sapsan trains, the restaurant car layout is fundamentally different from the traditional concept of a restaurant. It is divided into two zones. One area with a buffet and racks with standing places for a quick snack, the second - with comfortable places with tables for four passengers. Other train passengers can also order food from the restaurant, and in business-class cars, food is already included in the ticket price. The lunch and service set resembles that offered on airplanes.
Superior Wagons
As with air travel, the Sapsan train has a first-class car for the convenience of passengers.
The scheme of seats in the Sapsana car for class 1 passengers is presented below.
In addition to a special meeting room, in which seats are bought for four people at once, leather chairs are installed here for passengers. They are folding, with an adjustable back, not only for the entire back, but also for the lumbar region.
To enhance convenience, there is individual lighting with a separate entertainment system. There is a Wi-Fi zone and the ability to recharge mobile devices.
The transitions between the wagons are made by "accordions" without transition doors, and meanwhile, the passenger compartment itself is separated by transparent sliding doors equipped with photosensors, and therefore they open / close automatically.
With the passage of the entire composition, from head to tail, you do not need to exert physical efforts to open the doors. The tightness of the external doors is made in such a way that at an outdoor temperature of -20⁰ the temperature inside the cabin is unchanged and comfortable throughout.
In high-speed Sapsan trains, the wagon scheme is thought out in such a way that large carry-on baggage is located in a separate compartment, and small items fit well on the upper shelves.
Where to buy a ticket?
Now it may seem strange that it is quite possible to get a ticket not only in the station building, but also directly in the train itself.
As scheme 6 of the car reflects, Sapsan is also equipped with a special place for people with disabilities. There is a special platform for wheelchairs and a number of wheelchairs for the disabled. For the convenience of such people, the toilet is equipped with special handrails, and the entrance door to the carriage is designed for the dimensions of wheelchairs. The ticket office is located in the same carriage, and a small room with a changing table is reserved for mothers with babies.
Entertainment system
For the convenience of passengers, the cars are equipped with special monitors, which display both advertising information about the train itself and entertainment programs. Passengers are equipped with individual disposable headphones, a control panel is located between the seats. Using the buttons, you can select several radio channels or watch and listen to the video.
Depending on the type of car and ticket price, there is the possibility of connecting to the Internet services along the route. In individual wagons, this service is available at an additional cost.
Also, a passenger on his way can take advantage of periodicals, which are located in a special seat pocket.
In each car there is a panel on which information on air temperature and the current speed of the train is displayed online.
Law enforcement on the go
On the ticket to this speed train, a warning sign immediately catches your eye that smoking on the train is strictly prohibited. And this is no accident.
Another wagon of the Sapsan train is schematically shown below. The layout of the car 9 looks like this.
All cars, utility rooms and toilets are equipped with sensors that respond even to the smallest smoke. As soon as the sensors trigger and detect the signs of smoke, the entire train automatically slows down and stops moving until the cause of the smoke is eliminated.
On the way to following the protection of law and order, a special outfit of law and order forces is constantly watching, both in uniform and in civilian clothes.
In general, despite the difference in price compared to conventional trains, the Sapsan train is in great demand among passengers. If you compare the cost of a plane flight in a budget class, the price may seem high. But we must remember that the train comes almost from the center of one city to the center of another. So for those who value their time, Sapsan is the perfect choice!