Russians prefer to travel by the expanses of our country by train. Railways, like arteries, connect many cities and towns across a vast territory. It will take about ten days to get from one end of our country to the other. Of course, air travel offers you to cover any distance within Russia in a few hours, but the cost of the flight will be significantly higher than travel by train. In recent years, Russian Railways have undergone significant changes - the level of quality of services provided is increasing, new routes and classes of cars are appearing. Now on the ticket you can see the mysterious words "reserved seat 3U, F". What does it mean? And how not to make a mistake when buying a ticket, going on a trip with a pet?
Russian Railways - development and innovations
For more than 13 years, Russian Railways has been the main rail operator in our country. If you often travel around Russia by train, then be aware that the services provided to you by Russian Railways. Despite the crisis that the company had to overcome in recent years, it has managed to reach a new level and is ready to please its regular and potential customers with innovations in the field of passenger service.
Although it is worth noting that not all innovations like travelers. For example, the classification of wagons introduced about a year ago still raises a lot of questions. It is difficult to decide which car to choose - 3L or reserved seat 3U, J. What does this mean? How to navigate in the variety of abbreviations? This article will reveal to you all the secrets of a pleasant train journey at any distance. After that, you will be able to give advice to your friends by accurately determining the classes of Russian Railways wagons.
Car Classes
Before buying a ticket online or at the railway ticket office, you need to decide how you will travel. The level of comfort, the totality of the services provided, and, of course, the fare depends on the class of car. Of course, if the trip does not last more than a day, then you can choose not the most expensive ticket. But a long trip with children will be better to carefully plan and purchase tickets that provide an increased level of comfort. Let's list the existing classes of Russian Railways cars:
- Common wagon.
In such a car only seats are provided, located on benches. We can say that it looks like an electric train and is suitable only for moving over short distances. By type, general wagons are divided into:
2. Seat car.
Unlike the previous class, here all places are equipped with folding seats. In some trains, each seat has individual tables and sockets. In sedentary cars, there is a fairly diverse classification:
- 1C, 2C, 3C.
- 1P.
- 1B.
- 2P.
- 2B, 2G.
- 2E.
3. Reserved car.
Seats on the reserved seat are limited to fifty-four. Among them, you can choose a place on the lower or upper shelf. On the trip, you can lie and use bed linen. It is paid separately when buying a ticket at the box office. A reserved seat car may be marked as follows:
4. Coupe.
In such a carriage it is convenient to travel as a family - it has four shelves separated by a door from the rest of the space. The price of the ticket includes the use of bed linen. This car also submits to a certain classification:
5. Suite.
In some cases, these cars are also called CB, they consist of compartment compartments for two people. There is always a built-in air conditioning system, some cars have a travel kit. Marking a luxury carriage implies a first class:
6. Soft carriage.
These cars have the highest comfort class. They consist of double coupes and are labeled as first class:
Most often, when buying a ticket, passengers are guided not by the comfort of the car, but by the cost of travel from one point of Russia to another. The most worthy value for money is provided by reserved seats. It is worth talking about them in more detail.
Reserved carriage: briefly about the main thing
In pre-revolutionary Russia, a reserved seat car was the most common; at the moment, this trend continues. Such popularity is explained by the availability of prices, allowing you to travel considerable distances for little money.
From 1917 to 1945, the design of reserved seats wagons changed. Engineers tried to make it longer and more spacious. A modern reserved seat car has nine compartments (or a compartment, as they are also called), in which four places are located. Along the entire length of the car there are lateral places in two tiers.
Each wagon is equipped with a sanitary room and a boiler, in which you can take hot water. In many trains, reserved seats make up more than half of the total number of cars.
Location of seats in the reserved seat car by numbers
When buying a ticket, passengers quite often get confused in the numbering of seats. In fact, places in the reserved seat obey a simple rule. The main thing is to decide how you plan to travel - on the side shelves or in the main compartment. Numbering directly depends on this. The location of seats in the reserved seat car according to the numbers can be described as follows:
- in the main compartment, the numbering is counted from the lower shelf to the upper, starting from the left edge of the car;
- on lateral places, the numbering starts from the opposite edge of the car in the same way - from the bottom to the top.
Please note that even places are located on the upper shelves, and the lower ones have odd numbers. Quite often, the upper shelves are cheaper than the lower.
Characteristics of amenities in a reserved seat car
The reserved seat belongs to the third class, so its classification always has the first number three. Next is the letter that defines the level of comfort. Usually in a reserved seat it is limited to air conditioning and a dry closet. Moreover, such amenities are not in every car. In addition, transportation of animals on the train, if you have a ticket to a regular reserved seat car, is prohibited.
Some carriers try to make the reserved seat more convenient. On long-distance routes there are wagons where you can find not only air conditioning, but also a travel kit.
Russian Railways: transportation of animals
If you can’t imagine your life without pets and do not plan to leave them on vacation with neighbors or friends, then you have to overcome a number of difficulties. Transportation of animals on the train occurs according to certain rules.
First of all, it is worth considering that some categories of cars allow you to transport small animals with you. These include hamsters, turtles or fish. But such a popular reserved seat does not have a similar function, the animals will have to travel in a separate cargo compartment.
Most often, large animals are placed in the cargo compartment, located under the bottom of the train. They will have to be there all the way, except for parking, when the passenger can walk with the pet. But in fact, the guides do not really favor travelers with animals, because they have to constantly open and close the compartment.
3U - what does similar marking of a reserved seat car mean?
Usually the passenger sees the 3U marking on the ticket, it is most often found and indicates the level of comfort of the reserved seat car. Unfortunately, 3U cannot boast of special comfort. This class assumes the availability of already paid bed linen and a dry closet. Recently, such cars are equipped with air conditioning, but do it on the most profitable and popular routes.
3U and 3L: are there any differences?
Do not look for differences between the two most popular classifications of reserved seats cars - 3U and 3L. There are practically none. Initially, there were more services in reserved seats 3U, and they themselves were distinguished by their novelty. But now even those who travel by train often will not find two differences between the two classes. Therefore, do not overpay for 3U when you are told that it is improved.
New marking reserved seats
A year and a half ago, passengers were faced with a new formulation of the classification of cars - reserved seat 3U, Zh. What this means, many still do not understand. And once in a similar car, they can be very surprised. After all, he has one feature that until that time was not in Russian Railways - a reserved seat 3U, F allows you to travel with your pets. Yes, yes, you were not mistaken. Now you can not worry about your favorite animal and feel free to take it with you on vacation.
When buying a ticket to the reserved seat 3U, category F, you must definitely clarify that you are taking a pet with you. And at the box office it is necessary to explain which animal will go with you. The cashier will make a special note on the ticket so that other passengers who have bought a ticket to your seats next to you are warned that the number of travelers will be slightly more than expected.
What you need to know when taking an animal with you on the road?
The general rules for the transport of pets on the Russian Railways train are also regulated by new cars. After telling the cashier the breed of your pet, you need to collect a number of certificates on it. They will be needed when boarding the train. Do not be surprised if the conductor asks for them after the train leaves, he can do it. Each animal needs its own set of documents, it is worth contacting your veterinarian after it. Usually they are well versed in the nuances of collecting information.
Please note that even category in the reserved seat carriage will not allow you to transport a large breed dog. She will still travel in the luggage compartment.
How to transport an animal in a reserved seat car?
According to the rules of the Russian Railways, transportation of animals is possible only in a special device called carrying. Moreover, only small breeds of cats and dogs can travel with you. You also have the right to bring turtles, hamsters, fish, rabbits or parrots with you. Keep in mind that an animal should not occupy more than one hundred eighty centimeters of space. This applies to absolutely any pet. Therefore, owners of medium-sized dogs often cannot take them with them, because together with carrying them they significantly exceed the declared border. Dogs in the carriage have the right to travel only in a muzzle and a leash. This applies even to small breeds that seem harmless.
Each owner must ensure that the animal does not disturb the peace of other passengers. He is responsible for maintaining sanitary standards in the car.
Do I have to pay extra for a pet?
Do not think that a ticket with a marking Zh frees you from additional expenses. It only allows you to transport an animal, therefore, depending on the class of the train itself, you will have to pay for the pet. Rates are always in a prominent place at the box office or on the sites where you purchase a ticket.
If you missed this moment and got on the train without paying for the animal, then you have to go to the nearest station. The conductor will not allow you to move along the route.
How many cars in the train are marked 3U, F?
Russian Railways does not pamper its passengers too much, so usually you will not find a large number of cars in the train where you can bring pets. In the best case, it will be only one for the whole composition. According to the rules of Russian Railways, such a car may not even join the train on some routes.
If you are traveling with a long-distance train and take several animals with you (this is permitted by the rules of the Russian Railways) or traveling with the same people who are planning a vacation with your favorites, you can write a special application to join the train of a special car of category G. By law Your right must be granted. But it is useless to do this in the case of a single signature. Most likely, she will not be able to play her part, and the car will not be attached.
Absolutely all people love to travel, but now you can share this pleasure with your pets. For these purposes, a reserved seat car 3U, Zh was invented. What does this mean, you now know, and therefore, are completely ready for new travels and discoveries.