North Palmyra is a double-decker train that regularly runs along the route St. Petersburg - Adler. It is considered branded. It consists of reserved seats, compartment compartments and SV-wagons. There is also a restaurant car. Of all the branded trains available on the Oktyabrskaya Railway, it has the longest route.
The story of this train
"North Palmyra" is a double-decker train that runs since 2013. Prior to this, there was also a structure called "Northern Palmyra", but it was an ordinary, one-story building. He appeared in Russia in the late 90s. True, in the near future the level of service and service on it has decreased so much that it has lost the status of a company. And then it was completely reduced by the decision of railway officials.
The decision to revive it was made by the head of the October Railway Gennady Komarov, who received this appointment in 2000.
It was launched again in the summer of 2002 on the updated company train "North Palmyra". True, he then, however, was not yet.
Double decker wagons
The North Palmyra became a double-decker train only in May 2013. It was then that the balance of the Oktyabrskaya Railway received new trains produced at the Tver Carriage Works.
A two-story train runs in this direction every four days. On the remaining days, a regular one-story train runs.
There is also a "double" passage "North Palmyra". A flight of the same name carries out routes from St. Petersburg to Moscow.
Timetable
"North Palmyra" - a two-story train that is on the way for about a day and a half. From the Northern capital, the train leaves at 20.06.
He makes his first stop only in the Tver region in the city of Bologoe at 0.02. The train costs 1 minute. The composition arrives in Tver at 1.47. But it is also delayed for a short while. Also only for 1 minute.
The train makes the first big stop on the route St. Petersburg - Adler at 6.33. 23 minutes he stands at the Ryazan-2 station. Then around noon, and to be precise, at 12.27 the train arrives in Voronezh. Here "North Palmyra" is also a very long time - 33 minutes.
After this, the cars follow non-stop to the Rostov-Glavny station. Here they come at 0.34. Delayed for 16 minutes. Departure at 0.50.
In front of the final destination, the branded train makes a short stop in Sochi. The composition of the resort town arrives at 10.03. There are 7 minutes to disembark passengers. In Adler, "Northern Palmyra" is met at 10.43.
Why North Palmyra?
The composition, which follows the route "St. Petersburg - Adler", received a very unusual and poetic name. The train was named just because North Palmyra is the poetic name of the city on the Neva. This designation hail, founded by Peter, received in honor of the ancient shopping center, which was located on the territory of modern Syria.
The name Northern Palmyra was assigned to Peter at the beginning of the 19th century, in the era of classicism. At that time, the new Russian capital, as well as several other cities in northern Europe, was called Northern Venice.
In that era, representatives of classicism actively drew inspiration from ancient authors. Travelers from Europe were greatly impressed by the city, which stood before them among the endless swamps and swamps. Many were delighted with the strings of beautiful facades, numerous columns, classical buildings, which were as if decoration of an oasis in the Syrian desert.
Petersburg also resembled Palmyra by its grace of architecture and wealth, which immediately caught my eye. It is believed that the first who gave the city such a designation was the domestic historian and economist Andrei Shtorkh. In 1793, he published under his authorship the book "The Picture of Petersburg", in which he described in detail all the charms of the Russian capital. At the very beginning of this story, he compares the city on the Neva with the famous settlements of ancient times. Palmyra, Istanbul, Adrianople, many of which by that time were turned into ruins.
The delights of a branded train
The very concept of a branded passenger train appeared in our country back in the days of the USSR. One of the categories of the most comfortable passenger express trains was designated this way. For such trains, there are special requirements that are set out in the relevant provision. Their compliance is regularly checked during the recertification of compositions.
The history of branded trains in the USSR originates in 1931. The first was the composition of the "Red Arrow", which began to run between Moscow and Leningrad. His movement was interrupted only by the blockade of the Northern capital. But as soon as she was removed, he reappeared in the railway schedule.
Distinctive features of the corporate structure is the presence of its own name, moving between large cities, as a rule, all year round. Tickets to such destinations are usually more expensive. It happens that even 50%.
Among the mandatory requirements - cars should be in operation no more than 12 years, their interior should be decorated in the same style. Passengers are given either new bedding or short-term bedding. The shape of the conductors of such compositions is maintained in a single style.
Double decker train
A review of the double-decker train "North Palmyra" should begin with the fact that such trains are still rare for domestic railways. Moreover, they have not only advantages, but also disadvantages.
Among the advantages are increased capacity and carrying capacity, as well as the fact that ordinary doors are located at a lower level. This eliminates the need for high platforms. The description of the North Palmyra train (double-decker) corresponds to these features.
Among the minuses are low ceilings, a small space for luggage. Also, such cars are less safe. Due to their high height, their center of gravity shifts, so the likelihood of tipping over increases. Among the shortcomings are the complex design of the car, which leads to a rise in price during its production.
The first double-decker cars in Russia were created at the Tver Carriage Works in 1905. With their help, people were transported to the Far East. It is worth noting that at that time only the second floor was intended for passengers. The first transported cattle.
In the 60s, a two-story carriage for tourists was built at the Leningrad plant. On the second tier, a salon and a glass dome were equipped.
The company "Russian Railways" began mass production of such trains since 2010 at the base of the car factory in Tver. "North Palmyra" is the first modern Russian double-decker train that set off on its first flight on November 1, 2013.
Advantages of the "Northern Palmyra"
About the "Northern Palmyra" - a two-story train reviews received a lot of the most diverse.
Passengers who regularly travel in this direction, among the pluses, note a pleasant design and interior, a strict adherence to the schedule. The pros pay attention even in the details. For example, wagon numbers are not indicated by cardboard signs, but are displayed in electronic windows on each wagon.
Many people like that another electronic display is located inside each car. With it, you can find out all the necessary information during the trip. Current time, name of the station where the train arrived, air temperature in the car and outside the window. This train has very spacious compartments compared to other trains. In addition, there are all the benefits of civilization. Above each shelf is a small lamp that works. So if you want to read at night, you won’t have to bother the rest of the passengers. There are two sockets under the table.
Everything is very clean and in working condition.
Disadvantages of "Northern Palmyra"
Among the shortcomings in the reviews, it is often noted that the food on the Northern Palmyra train (two-story) does not correspond to a high level of service. Many passengers even suspect that the food is simply of poor quality.
In addition, there is extremely little space for luggage, and the car shakes a lot. Also often have to deal with incompetent staff.