Although the train is not faster than an airplane, it is still much cheaper. Therefore, it remains one of the most popular modes of transport for people traveling long distances. Trains are different, and the categories of cars in them differ. For example, on your ticket you can see the note “reserved seat 3L”. What does this mean, and how does it differ, say, from a 3U reserved seat?
Types and classes of trains
Trains are passenger and fast. The second, as the name implies, will bring you to your destination much faster due to fewer stops. But this will affect the ticket price in a big way.
There are fast branded trains with their own design and superior service. As a rule, each of them has its own name and convenient schedule. Otherwise, fast and passenger trains practically do not differ. In addition to the type and number of the train, on the ticket you will see the number of your car and place, as well as the class of service. The trains have their own classification of alphanumeric designations. For example, 1B means business class.
Business, luxury or economy?
A luxury or premium train is a branded express train with luxury cars. In them passengers are waiting for double coupes (only 6 for the whole car), in which there is a bathroom and a dry closet. In addition to these cars, there are also reserved seats, coupes, SVs and a restaurant car. Economy class does not provide such a level of comfort. There are also various types of wagons, including four-seat compartments with sockets in the corridor. Bed linen on trains of this class is issued for all passengers, as well as food, drinks and a fresh press.
The business class is suitable for busy passengers and for those who need to get to the place as quickly as possible. In them you will find spacious wagons, as well as a number of additional services, for example, Wi-Fi, special kits for those traveling with children, hygiene products, hot meals and drinks.
Categories of cars in trains
The general classification of categories is as follows:
- Behind designation 1A are VIP class wagons equipped with air conditioning.
- B - business class cars, and 1B - CB-type cars with air conditioning and additional services.
- CB or L - soft cars are hidden behind this designation. The compartment in them is designed for only 2 passengers.
- 1L - luxury wagons, SV without additional services.
- M or luxury cars are also soft, similar to the CB, the coupe is 2-seater here, they have a bathroom.
- A 1M class wagon means that you can buy a whole compartment at once - for two or for one.
- The designation 1E hides the type of car CB.
- 1C stands for a business-class carriage with seats. It has air conditioning and various services are provided.
- 2E - economy class car, also with air conditioning and services. Seat car.
- E or 2E - economy class cars.
- P or PL - reserved seat wagon with berths.
- 3P or ZL - reserved seat car without air conditioning.
- 3E - reserved seat car with air conditioning.
- K - compartment car, the compartment of which is designed for 4 passengers.
- 2K - a car with a compartment without additional services.
- C is a seated wagon.
- 2C - a car with seats, also without services.
- About - open type, or general. There are seating areas.
- 3O - common wagon.
Reserved 3L: what does this mean?
Mysterious lettering can confuse an inexperienced passenger. For example, on the ticket you saw the designation “reserved seat 3L”. What does it mean? Most likely, air conditioning in such a car is not provided. In the cold season, few people care about this circumstance, but if you travel in the heat, it can be a decisive factor when choosing tickets.
The reserved seat car is one of the most popular on Russian Railways. Tickets for them are cheaper, although the quality is inferior to SV and luxury cars. Such cars are open type with sleeping shelves. In total, a car can have 52 or 54 seats. They are designated 3rd class due to the lack of air conditioning. However, as wagons are updated, air conditioners are still being installed in modern trains.
For example, the modern TKS carrier even installs in class 3U cars everything for the convenience of passengers: air conditioning, dry closets and showers. There is also video surveillance, and there are convenient sockets for charging mobile devices.
What else does a passenger need to know about a reserved seat car?
- If you got a place 37-54, then this is the so-called "sidewall". Sleeping shelves in them are shorter than usual.
- Seats 33-38 are located in the immediate vicinity of the toilet. On the one hand, it is convenient, on the other hand, unpleasant odors and constant slamming of doors can disturb you.
- If you got the car without an air conditioner, please note that in places 9 through 12 and 21 through 24 it will not be possible to open the window. However, in new trains, the ventilation system will alleviate this drawback.
- Each wagon has two toilets. In them you will find a washbasin, toilet bowl and titanium for heating water.
- All compartments are united by a common corridor, there are no doors between them.
- The top position is indicated by an even number, and the bottom by an odd number.
- Each reserved seat compartment has a table (“sidewall” is displayed, forming a table and two seats).
- There is more than enough luggage space in the reserved seat: there are third luggage racks on top and drawers under the lower seats.
- When the car is fully occupied, get ready for what will be crowded and stuffy (relevant for summer trips). In the company train of Russian Railways, whose tickets are bought up faster, the situation is not so critical. After all, the cars in them are more comfortable and cleaner, equipped with dry closets and air conditioners, and there are more sockets.
Differences in class 3 wagons
Many passengers are interested in how the 3U reserved seat differs from 3L. In principle, nothing: these cars are the same, have the same number of seats and offer the same standard services. However, there is an important factor that should be known to those traveling with animals. You need to choose the memory car, warning at the box office that you should be a pet. The reserved seat 3L does not provide for the transportation of animals, which, however, cannot but please individual passengers.
Features of individual wagons
The reserved seats of the non-mercantile type have 54 regiments, and the general wagons have 81 seats. Each compartment car has 36 seats - 4 in each compartment. When choosing a shelf, keep in mind that the bottom ones will always be odd.
Each passenger carriage has a service compartment for two seats. Conductors are resting here. In some cases, a compartment of conductors is given to passengers, and they themselves are located in the first passenger. In luxury cars, all seats are usually lower - there are 16 or 18 of them, depending on the car. In the last compartment there is one place and, as a rule, a conductor takes it. The wagons of international traffic are divided into compartments depending on the class. They can have 22 or 33 shelves, that is, they can be double or triple.
We found out what the wagons are like in domestic trains, and what to consider if you got a reserved seat 3L. What this means, we also examined, now trips will become more comfortable for you.