It is difficult to surprise modern children with entertainment complexes in shopping centers and attractions in recreation parks. But not everyone can brag about visiting the children's railway in Volgograd . It is not only fun and interesting, but also informative for young researchers.
History of occurrence
There have been two children's railways throughout the city. The first appeared in 1948 and it operated for about 30 years. The length of the rail was just over 3 km. The stations were small and built of wood.
The path was laid along the promenade. The guys had to overcome a lot of difficulties in order to get here to work. Only children who studied well and were exemplary pioneers were invited to the club of young railway workers. Also often came the guys whose parents worked for a long time in this area.
In 1979, the children's railway in Volgograd was moved to a new place. This was due to the reconstruction of the embankment. Moreover, by this time there were already three new steam locomotives with wagons and the old track was reconstructed many times.
Now the Small Volga Region was near the Tsaritsa River and the gauge length decreased three times and amounted to 1.2 km. But they increased the number of stations and their quality. Two steam locomotives and six wagons operated here. The end stations were dead ends and set off on a return trip forward.
So, at the end of the journey the engineer went to the end of the train and led the train in the opposite direction. U-turn and back track have not yet been constructed.
Volga children's railway: features
The modern complex has a length of 1.8 km. The distance between the rails is 750 mm. The children's railway in Volgograd has three landing platforms and three stations:
- Chekists.
- "Pioneer".
- "Extinguisher".
The names have not changed since the transfer of the railway to a new place. Parents of modern children came to these stations. Only then did they not have such a respectable appearance. The railway is located on Chekista Square, 1.
The complex has technical buildings. They provide classes with children and instructors. Tickets are sold at the box office. Two stalls were built for diesel locomotives. There, the guys, together with instructors, are involved in the inspection and repair of trains. also in winter, children get acquainted with the technical characteristics of the compounds on a "living" example.
Separately built workshop. It contains a complete set of tools. Children are taught the basics of repair and control of diesel locomotives. Experienced instructors work with the guys, who have worked on the adult railway for several decades.
Modern reconstruction
In 2015, long-standing plans to repair and equip the children's railway in Volgograd began to be actively implemented (the photo is presented in the article). In two years, a new school for small railway workers was built. Here, from October to April, the guys take theoretical classes and learn the secrets of railway specialties. Classes have all the necessary modern equipment for better learning topics.
The platforms were updated and modern canopies from the sun and rain were built on them. At the first station there is a waiting room and a modern ticket office. On a large electronic board with the schedule of the children's railway in Volgograd, you can see the hours of train departure.
While passengers are waiting for the train to leave, they can visit a small museum or have a snack in the buffet. Over the years, almost the entire length of the tracks was repaired. During the opening of the updated Minor Volga Region, the governor promised to allocate money for a significant extension of the gauge.
Children's railway in Volgograd: mode of operation
The complex receives visitors from early May to late September annually. At this time, small railway workers are doing practice here. The exact train schedule must be found out at the station on duty or on the board.
In the summer, work begins at 10.30 and continues until 19.00. Trains leave every hour. Opening and closing of the railway is carried out in a festive format with competitive programs for children.
What do children work for?
In this complex, the guys perform almost all the actions on their own. Under the guidance of instructors, teens who have reached the age of 15 and have completed several years of schooling at the Malaya Volga Region run the trains. Arrows are also translated and carriages are attached with the help of adult specialists.
At the box office and on the platforms, the guys work independently. Also, children act as guides. They not only check the availability of tickets and launch passengers into cars, but throughout the journey they tell the story of the complex and interesting facts about the stations.
Before admitting children to work, exams are taken after studying at a school with a small railway. Children come here even from other cities.
Visitors reviews
It attracts many guests every year children's railway in Volgograd. The work schedule makes it possible to visit the complex during the warm season during the day at any time. The train schedule does not make passengers wait long.
Young visitors enjoy watching the work of children nearby. Guests are given the opportunity to break into the technical rooms and see where the trains "rest" after work.
Also, passengers can look at the process of coupling cars. Parents note that this opportunity is especially pleasing to the boys. Girls more like to watch the work of cashiers and conductors.
Parents are pleased with the presence of the museum at the complex. Thus, in anticipation of the departure of the train, the family can learn a lot about the history of the railway. Here are large models of trains of different years of production.
Children who work and work with a small railway are busy almost the entire summer and are not left to their own devices. Thus, parents are sure that everything is fine with the guys. In addition, children have fun and usefully spend their holidays. Here they make new friends and some are determined with the future profession, which will be associated with the railway.