Many museums of various kinds are open in Moscow, but among them the museum at the Riga Station stands out. Real examples of railway equipment that has been used on the railways of the country over the past century are on display here. The history of the formation and development of one of the most popular and sought-after modes of transport can be seen firsthand and even touch.
Idea of creation
The idea of creating such a museum arose a long time ago. Veterans and railway activists have repeatedly appealed to the leadership of Russian Railways. In 2002, the decision to open the museum was made. It took almost two years to collect and restore exhibits for the exhibition complex, to prepare the museum site. For this, during the reconstruction of the station, an impasse was set aside for exposition, on which commuter and freight trains were turned. There is currently no need for such a dead end.
A new facility was designed and built for the museum at Riga Station . The total area of the complex exceeds 1.5 ha. Along the four railway tracks, two platforms were laid that were tiled for the convenience of visitors. On these paths are exposed real rarities, witnesses of a bygone era, and technological innovations. Over six dozen different exhibits are presented in the open-air museum complex.
The opening of the museum. Historical part
The opening of the museum took place on July 31, 2004. The ceremony was attended by the leadership of Russian Railways, veterans, current employees of various branches of the railway and all who are interested in the history of transport and their native country.
In general, the museum complex dedicated to the history of the railway consists of two parts. The first, historical, is located next to the Paveletsky station. Here are the costumes of workers of different times, photographs and documents, as well as models of stations, steam locomotives, trains that traveled along the rails of Russia. A lot of interesting and informative.
Technical Museum
On the open area near the Riga station there is an observation deck, on which samples of more than 60 different models of railway equipment are exhibited. This museum will be interesting for both children and adults. This is a living story that clearly demonstrates the progress of human genius in this industry. Exhibited samples represent not only domestic, but also foreign developments. Some exhibits are one of a kind, and there are no analogues.
Exposition
Each exhibit has its own story, sometimes tragic, sometimes touching. The exposition of the Russian Railways Museum at the Riga Station is extensive and diverse.
The oldest of the exhibits is the OV-841 steam locomotive, which has been over a century old. Railroad workers affectionately called this unit “Sheep”.
Another no less vivid representative of heavy equipment is the Felix Dzerzhinsky locomotive “FD”. It was produced in the thirties of the last century and is recognized as the most powerful locomotive of those years.
So, the steam locomotive P36-001 - the brainchild of Kolomensky Zavod, was released in honor of the 70th anniversary of Joseph Stalin. The cowl of this engine was decorated with a stamped profile of the Leader of the peoples. But over time, this fairing was lost, but the locomotive miraculously survived.
The exposition presents not only steam locomotives, but also wagons that transported people and goods at different times. An interesting car that traveled around the North Caucasus in the 1930s. At that time, the cars were lined with wood. But the Caucasus is a turbulent place, so the lower part of the car was sheathed with riveted sheets. During the shootings, passengers lay on the floor so that they would not be caught in a stray bullet. Here you can see the carcasses in which passengers or cattle were transported. Or special armored models, in which senior persons drove.
Various options of trains are also presented. At different times, designers released experimental versions that, over time, went down in history, and now styles are exhibits of the railway museum at the Riga Station. So, in the electric train ER22 there were three vestibules for the convenience of passing passengers. And in the Swallow model, they completely abandoned the vestibule.
There are also representatives of foreign technology. For example, an electric locomotive ChS-4, made in Czechoslovakia. Its body is made of fiberglass. Or a captured German steam locomotive.
Samples of freight trains, passenger and freight cars, electric locomotives, steam locomotives and diesel locomotives, as well as various auxiliary equipment necessary for repair and maintenance of tracks, are exhibited at the train museum at the Riga Station. Where else can you personally see snow-removing equipment or a trolley?
But not only models from the last century are exhibited in the museum complex. There are also modern trains. So, the high-speed electric train ER200 has already become a legend. He cruised between the Northern capital and Moscow. It was he who was portrayed on branded packaging with sugar. This composition was developed by aircraft designers and was even painted in the colors of Aeroflot. He made his last flight in 2009 and has since been a joke.
Another Sapsan's predecessor, the Falcon 250, is the brainchild of shipbuilders. He, too, was supposed to carry passengers from one capital to another, but did not pass the safety test and was written off for unsuitability.
Interactive exhibition
Many exhibits in the museum at the Riga Station can not only be seen, but also walk inside, twist the handles in the driver’s cab, touch the tool that the travelers worked for several decades ago. Not only children, but also adults get an indescribable pleasure from the opportunity to feel like a steam locomotive engineer.
stroll
Museum staff at the Riga Station offer another unusual excursion - a walk on a rare steam train. It departs on schedule from the Moscow-Riga station, follows to the Krasny Baltiets platform, where an old depot has been preserved. There, the train makes a U-turn, refuel on the old column with water and set off on the return trip. This amazingly felt journey into the past will become an unforgettable event full of pleasant emotions.
The museum at Riga Station is open to visitors every day except Mondays and Tuesdays. The exposition is constantly updated, because progress does not stand still.