Seated cars of long-distance Russian Railways. How to choose seats on the train

In any Aeroflot in a foreign plane there is no comfort simpler and dearer (c)

Over the past year, having personally tested Sapsan more than once and electronic registration, I have already begun to think that things are getting better in the Russian Railways, the service is improving, and soon we will have everything just like in some Eurostar.

So, I decided to go for the weekend to my aunt in Orel. Between Orel and Moscow about 400 km. In the late 90s, a daily express electric train began to run between Moscow and Orel, the journey time was only 4 and a half hours. All seats on the train are seated. Similar express trains have been launched in the last decade between Moscow and Vladimir, between Moscow and Tula, and in a number of nearby destinations. This is how it looks like:

I have known this train for a long time, I ride it about once every six months. Usually there are 2 categories of tickets: 1st class - cars with non-reclining large seats, and 2nd - reclining seats like in an airplane or, rather, in a bus. I bought tickets for the second class via the Internet and, not expecting a catch, arrived at the station.

The fun began with the fact that the train had an extremely strange numbering of cars: I walked along the platform, and in the course of my movement, first there was car No. 5, then No. 6, then for some reason No. 7, then No. 8, and then 1 and 2 My 9th carriage ended up at the opposite end of the train.

And then I went inside and saw not at all what I expected to see: it was not the second class that I was used to, but a natural one - a "general" carriage, similar to an electric train, with hard seats - benches. However, unlike the train, there was an incredibly small distance between the seats. Apparently, the designers were counting on the transportation of midgets. But such savings made it possible to cram a maximum of passengers into the car: according to the numbers above the seats in this car, there were more than 100 seats! And on Friday evening this car was packed to capacity. When I realized that I accidentally bought tickets not for the second, but for the new, 3rd class, and I have to spend 4.5 hours in this space, I got a little sick :(

I huddled in my seat by the window and pulled out a book. A neighbor sitting tightly next to me warned me that it could blow strongly from the window while driving, and it was better not to take off my jacket. But he was wrong. From the window, of course, it blew a little, but it was garbage compared to how the benches heated up. Yes, they were heated benches. And with such not weak heating - the shop was right above the radiator, which was spitting at full power. It seems that for women it is not particularly harmful - to sit on the hot, but for men, everything began to "boil". Therefore, poor men periodically jumped up and tried to refresh themselves in the vestibule. In contrast to the "salon" it was really cold there and there was snow. About an hour later, my neighbor tried to ask the conductor to turn off the heating, to which the conductor said that they do not do this here. The neighbor eventually expressed his indignation by pressing the "Communicate with the driver" button, after which the heating was briefly turned off.

Here are a couple more photos of the 3rd grade. Check out the distance between the shops. I thought it was less than a meter.

For comparison - this is the 2nd class.

Legroom is enough.

And this is the first one. In my opinion, not much more convenient than the second. But pay attention to the rug in the aisle :) Design! In addition to the mat, first class is distinguished by the presence of tables, separate luggage racks and DVD screens that did not work on either the trip there or the trip back.

By the way, since I'm talking about the train. Previously, a buffet worked in one of the 1st class carriages. Now the buffet is closed, the train staff hang out in it. Instead of a buffet, an aunt walks around the car with a cart and offers sandwiches, tea for 25 rubles and beer for 95.

Toilets are not in every car, and they are made according to the "hole in the floor" principle. However, the toilet is clean and has toilet paper.

Arriving in Orel, I immediately ran to the cash registers to change return ticket. At the box office they took a fine from me for returning an electronic ticket, but on the other hand, I drove like a white person.

According to the conductor, they got the 3rd grade in the last year.
And this is perhaps the most terrible thing in this story. After all, it's all really new, like modern. This means that Russian Railways believes that this is the level of comfort that passengers deserve.

Be careful not to accidentally buy a third-class ticket. If you drive an hour and a half to Kaluga, it is still, probably, tolerable, then 4.5 hours to Orel is a tin.
On the ticket, it is designated as 3C.

Train cars long distance are divided into three types: coupe, reserved seat, seated. Each of them has its own disadvantages and advantages. This article will talk about the location of seats in the seated car of the train, the classes of such cars. Many believe that the cost of a ticket is directly related to comfort. In other words, the higher the price, the better place and more enjoyable trip. It is not always so.

Description of the car with seats

If you plan to spend about 5-10 hours on the road, then a ride in a seated car will be comfortable and will save you money on a ticket.

The interior design of this type of non-self-propelled Vehicle resembles the interior of a long-distance bus or airplane. They have a sufficient distance between the rows of soft chairs, so it is possible to stretch your legs. During the trip, you can walk around the car and stretch. The seat backs are set to a reclining position, which makes it possible to relax and sleep during the trip.

Usually, seats in a seated car are located on the left and right, the number of them depends on its class. Odd-numbered seats are by the window, and even-numbered seats are by the aisle. In the back of the chair in front there is a folding table, which will be in a horizontal position at any inclination. In those cars where the seats are located opposite each other, the table is in front of them.

All carriages are equipped with toilets. AT branded trains these are dry closets that are not closed throughout the trip.

Classes of wagons with seats

Seated cars are divided into the following classes:

• First class (1C). The carriages are the most spacious, with 48 seats. As a rule, seats in a first class seating carriage are arranged in three rows: two seats on the right side and one on the left side. A folding table is installed on the backs of the seats in front. The car is equipped with a TV and air conditioning, the ticket price includes meals (cold appetizers), a traveler's set.
• Second class (2C). The arrangement of seats in a seated carriage of this class is in four rows. There are two chairs on the right and left sides, there is a small folding table in the back in front standing place. There are 68 seats in the second class carriage, some of the carriages are not equipped with air conditioners.
• Third class (3C). Tickets for third-class carriages are the cheapest. By saving on fares, you save on comfort. As a rule, these are carriages without air conditioners, not all of them are equipped with tables.

Other features of this type of trains

In addition to the class, the level of comfort in a seated car depends on the train number or direction. Trains with numbers 898 or 801 are less comfortable, although the classification of rolling stock is the same. There are more seats in each class, and those of the 3C type are more like an electric train and are equipped with three-seat benches rather than chairs.

Double-decker trains are more convenient. They have a socket next to each seat, the ticket price is lower than in regular trains. They follow the routes Moscow - Voronezh, Rostov-on-Don - Adler, Moscow - St. Petersburg and some others.

In high-speed branded trains, first and second class cars are more comfortable. Passengers are provided with access to Wi-Fi, there are footrests. These trains have a restaurant.

A ride in a seated carriage allows you to save on the price of a ticket, but at the same time it will be quite comfortable and take less time than if you are in a reserved seat or a compartment.

Actual

Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous

In their appearance, seated cars are a bit like an airplane cabin or intercity bus. Here are the same free-standing soft chairs with armrests, but much more space. The knees do not rest against the front seat, sometimes you can fully stretch your legs. It is possible to walk along the carriage, stand in the vestibule or tilt the back of the chair and sleep peacefully.

In the carriage, odd-numbered seats are always at the window, even-numbered seats are always at the aisle. At the top there are long solid shelves for luggage - like in an electric train. Often there is a folding table on the back of the chair in front. The car usually has two toilets, but some trains have only one.

Seated cars differ greatly in location, number of seats and classes of service, so there is no single scheme for them.

Scheme of the car of train No. 102YA "Moscow - Yaroslavl"

It is difficult for many people to travel in a seated carriage for a long time - the whole body becomes numb. For example, two days on the Moscow-Vorkuta train. It makes sense to take seats for such distances if you want to save a lot, otherwise you should stay on a reserved seat or coupe. It is convenient to travel no more than 5-10 hours in a seated carriage. These are, for example, day express trains between Moscow and St. Petersburg or Nizhny Novgorod and Kirov.

The main advantage of seated cars as part of conventional trains is the price of the trip. A ticket in them will cost an average of one and a half times cheaper than in a reserved seat on the same route. But this does not apply to some high-speed seated trains (Peregrine Falcons, Swifts), the fare in which is much higher than the same reserved seat. But they will also do it much faster.

The Sapsan accelerates to 250 km/h and covers the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg in 4 hours, which takes more than 8 hours for an ordinary train. This is especially true for business trips, where literally every minute counts. Therefore, in the first class of the Sapsan there are special compartments for negotiations. A ticket there must be purchased separately at the box office of Russian Railways.

Convenience seating strongly depends on the train ("Nevsky Express", double-decker "Moscow - Bryansk", etc.) and on the class of the car in this train (economy, business, etc.). FPC's seating cars are divided into 3 classes according to the level of comfort.

"1C" - first class. It is spacious here (up to 48 seats in the car). Usually there are three rows of seats, there is air conditioning, a comfortable table. Each chair folds out into a reclining position. The ticket price usually includes meals (cold snacks) and travel kit (soap, napkins, etc.). An LCD TV is often installed under the ceiling in the aisle.

"2C" - second class. Up to 68 seats in the car - there are already four rows of seats. There may be a small folding table on the back of the front seat. Air conditioning is not guaranteed.

"3C" - third class. The cheapest and least convenient of all three classes. More than 68 places. Probably no air conditioning.

High-speed train "Strizh", 1st class car

Trains numbered 801 to 898 have the same seating classes as listed above, but with a lower level of comfort. More places in the car of each class - for example, in the 1st class up to 60 seats. And in the 3rd class (3C), the interior looks like in an ordinary train (triple benches instead of chairs).

There are also double-decker sit-down trains, for example, No. 45/46 Moscow-Voronezh. They are better than ordinary trains: all the cars are new and there are nice little things (sockets at each seat, etc.), and the price is significantly lower compared to single-decker trains.

In high-speed seated trains, as a rule, there is also a 1st and 2nd class, but they are much more comfortable than cars in ordinary trains. Each train has its own set additional services: wi-fi, leather chairs with a footrest, seats that can be rotated in the direction of travel, a dining car, and so on. Allegro (St. Petersburg-Helsinki route) even has a children's playroom.

On Tutu.ru, in the "Trains" section, there are separate seating charts for many sit-down trains, including popular and.

The sit-down train "Lastochka" has a speed of up to 160 km/h. It is used as a high-speed train on flights lasting up to 4 hours. "Lastochka" runs on many routes in the European part of Russia. All wagons are of the same class. The seats do not change the slope of the back, and the toilets are located only in the first and last car. Tickets for Lastochka are inexpensive, cheaper than all other trains on these routes.

When buying a train ticket for Tutu.ru, for some trains the direction of travel is indicated (on the seat selection page). This allows you to choose convenient places not to ride backwards.

Tickets for trains with seated cars can be bought at Tutu.ru.

With the advent of air travel, train travel lost its former popularity and for a long time there was a drop in passenger traffic using land transport. The situation has changed with the advent of comfortable and convenient trains designed both for short trips, and for long journeys, during which passengers can use the usual amenities for several days. Since the cost of tickets for this type of transport is lower than for airplanes, and the view from the window is much more picturesque, people increasingly prefer traveling by rail.

Since 2009, the era of high-speed trains has begun, capable of reaching speeds of about 300 km / h. These trains allow you to cross huge distances in a matter of hours, but so far there are just nothing of such models in Russia, and we will consider the most popular of them.

All trains, regardless of their type and year of production, have their own marking rules that help passengers navigate the wide variety of different train characteristics.

Service classes and categories of Russian Railways cars

Long-distance trains are fast and passenger. The former make rare and very short stops, and are also distinguished by an increased cost. The high cost of tickets is due to the increased speed of travel. If we talk about comfort, then it does not depend on the type of composition, but on its manufacturer and year of manufacture.

Normal speed passenger train is about 60 km/h. Accelerated models move faster - 140 km / h, and high-speed trains reach the maximum value allowed for Russia of 200 km / h.

To distinguish trains by type, it is enough to learn their numbering, which is shown in the picture below.

At the same time, it should be borne in mind that even numbers are given to trains going east and north, respectively, trains going west and south are under odd numbers. When the train changes direction, the numbering changes to the nearest one (for example, 1 to 2, 123 to 124, and so on). Due to this, the same trains never meet at the same station or route.

Allegro

The second most popular high-speed train is Allegro, which runs between St. Petersburg and Helsinki. This train is operated jointly by Russian Railways and the Finnish company Soumen Valtion Rautatiet, and was developed by Alstom, which is also located in Finland.

The speed of "Allegro" is 220 km/h on the territory of Finland and 200 km/h within Russia. The train has 7 cars, 352 seats and 2 seats for the disabled. Ticket prices are:

• 38.99 euros (2,800 rubles) for 2nd class and 74.31 euros (5,400 rubles) for 1st class throughout the summer.
• 29 euros (2,100 rubles) for class 2 and 60.6 euros (4,400 rubles) for class 1 from September to December.

The cars in the composition are divided into:

• 1 carriage - first class (48 seats);
• 2 car - the second class with two places for the disabled and latrines and lifts equipped for them;
• 3 wagon - buffet;
• 4,5,6 - second class;
• Carriage 7 is the second class, equipped with a play area for children.

If we talk about class differences, then in the first carriage the seats are arranged in two rows (1 + 2). The first-class seats are covered with leather upholstery. This type of carriage is equipped with a meeting room for 6 people. There is also a self-service area with free drinks and headphones. In the second class, the seats arranged in two rows (2+2) are covered with fabric upholstery.

Healthy! Despite the fact that usually the numbering of seats comes from the tail of the train (as shown in the service mentioned above), sometimes the Allegro trains turn the other way around.

If you are interested in the safest places in a train car, these are the seats located next to the exit. It is better to choose a car closer to the center of the train.

Martin

The high-speed electric train "ES Lastochka" was also developed by Siemens for Russian Railways specifically for Krasnodar Territory. This ambitious squad was created specifically on the eve of the 2014 Olympics. The letters ES stand for "ElectroSiemens".

Today, "Lastochka" ply in many directions:

• Moscow - Orel - Kursk;
• Moscow - Smolensk;
• Moscow - Nizhny Novgorod;
• Moscow - Tver;
• St. Petersburg - Petrozavodsk;
• St. Petersburg - Vyborg;
• St. Petersburg - Veliky Novgorod - Bologoe;
• Rostov-Krasnodar;
• Sochi region;
• Adler - Maykop;
• Krasnodar - Adler;
• and in many other directions.

As can be seen from this long list, one of the most common modern trains is the Swallow train, the location of seats in the car of which differs from Sapsan and Allegro in several ways. For example, salons of suburban (ES1) and intercity type (ES2G and ES2GP) are provided. There are also several models of this train: "Swallow - Standard" and "Swallow - Premium". The latter is operated only in several directions (Moscow - Kursk, Moscow - St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg - Petrozavodsk). The regular composition has 409 seats, of which 30 are equipped with reclining backs, including 4 chairs for wheelchair users, and in the "Premium" - 331.

First of all, let's consider suburban train swallow, the layout of which is formed according to a fairly simple algorithm.

The train runs in two versions:

• 5 wagons (if the flow of people is small);
• 10 cars (double trains, which are operated with an increased flow of passengers).

In the compositions of the chair are divided into first, second and third class.

There are 67 third-class seats in the head cars of the ES1 train:

• 8 per bay superior comfort;
• 50 common;
• 9 folding;
• 2 places imply the placement of a wheelchair.

Healthy! Many people ask the question “Common places on the train - what is it?”. These places are no different from the usual reserved seat, the difference is only in their number. In a common carriage, not 2 people sit, but 3.

There are 103 seats in intermediate cars, 99 of which are not reclining and 4 are reclining.

In the same salons, only the Premium class, all seats are upholstered in a softer fabric. In this case:

• 1 head car is designed for 33 seats for class 1 (1С) and 4 seats for class 2 (2С) of increased comfort.
• The second head car has 45 seats for class 2 (4 of them are superior).

Premium trains also include intermediate cars, each with 86 second-class seats.

Seats of the 2nd and 3rd classes differ in rows, 3 and 2 seats, respectively. The only exceptions are the rows located next to the vestibules and inter-car spaces (in this case, the seats are placed according to the 2 + 2 principle).

Electric trains of the ES2G series differ from ES1 in terms of layout. In them, the head cars are designed for 66 seated seats and 9 folding (side) ones. There are 80 seats in intermediate cars. In ES2G, the seats are directed with their front side to the back of the previous row.

The carriages of the Lastochka train differ in many respects, but there are General characteristics, which are characteristic of all models of compositions, namely:

• Car doors are opened exclusively at terminal stations. In order to leave the train at an intermediate station, you must use the doors in cars 2, 3, 7 and 9.
• All train doors are equipped with automatic retractable steps for ease of boarding and disembarking passengers on low platforms.
• Odd places in the compositions are located near the windows, because of this their number is less than even ones, so some numbers are not used when numbering (for example, 7 or 37).
• Dry closets for people with handicapped are located in the head cars.

A detailed location of the places of the Lastochka trains and their schedule can be found on the official website.

swift

The Strizh high-speed train was developed by the Spanish company Patentes Talgo SL, but this only applies to train cars. Locomotives are used domestically, the EP20 series. The new train began to run between Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod in the summer of 2015.

The Strizh train, the arrangement of seats in the carriage of which depends on its type, usually includes 18 carriages, of which:

• 1-5 cars of the "Lux" type equipped with berths (CB);
• 6-7 cars - this is a buffet and a restaurant;
• 8-9 carriages with business class seats;
• 10-18 economy class cars (seated).

The standard scheme of seats in the compartment car of the Strizh train is presented below. As you can see, each compartment is designed for two passengers, and is also equipped with a separate bathroom, shower and toilet.

As a rule, the numbering of seats in a business class reserved seat train starts from number 1, but further distribution occurs out of order (see diagram below). At the same time, in carriages of this type, the seats are arranged in two rows (1+2).

In second-class seating carriages, a socket is provided for each row of seats, and in class 1 - for each seat.

When traveling on ordinary long-distance trains, it is also worth considering the peculiarities of the numbering and location of seats.

Locations of seats in a standard reserved seat car

Far from all passengers can afford expensive soft compartments, so people are most interested in the location of seats in a reserved seat train car.

Each compartment has 3 luggage racks and 6 seats (2 side and 4 "transverse"). In total, there are 54 beds and 81 seats in a typical carriage. The sleeping berths are numbered from 1 to 36, and the side berths from 37 to 54. Consider the location of the seats on the train (reserved seat) in more detail:

• 37 (lower shelf) and 38 (upper shelf). Seats under these numbers are located in compartment 9 and are adjacent to the toilet.
• 39 and 40. They are located in compartment 8. Opposite these shelves are 29,30,31 and 32 places.
• 41 and 42. Shelves of the seventh compartment, opposite which are 25,26,27 and 28 seats.
• 43 and 44. They are located in 6 compartments, opposite them are 21,22,23 and 24 seats.
• 45 and 46. Shelves of the fifth compartment, opposite which are places numbered 17,18,19 and 20.
• 47 and 48. Places in 4 compartments, opposite them 13,14,15 and 16 regiments.

This is a standard arrangement of seats, but depending on the configuration of the train, the numbers can vary significantly, so it is better if, when buying a ticket, you will be provided with a seat map for a reserved seat train car of a specific composition.

Speaking of the most comfortable reserved seats, then most people prefer the lower shelves, guided by the fact that when the train moves, they will not fall. However, when choosing such accommodation, you need to take into account the fact that throughout the journey, most likely, you will have to endure society. stranger from the top bunk, who has every right to sit on your bunk. In the upper place, although not so comfortable, but you will be left alone.

If you have a reserved seat train diagram with seat numbers in front of you, then even with the naked eye you will notice that the side shelves are the most inconvenient. In addition, they are shorter than the other beds, so in a dream your legs will hang in the air. Another unpleasant moment is that passengers will constantly walk past you. Therefore, it is better to choose the upper transverse shelf away from the toilet.

In addition to sleeping places, trains have ordinary seating chairs, which are also numbered according to certain rules.

Seating arrangement on the train

The numbering in cars with seats is no different from generally accepted standards (unless we are talking about modern high-speed trains). In conventional trains, there are usually about 10-12 such cars. At the same time, up to 28 seats are usually allocated for the first class, which are numbered from the tail in parallel rows. This means that the last 2 places on the right are numbered 1 and 2, and on the left side they are 3 and 4. Thus, the sequential numbering goes from the end on the right side, and on the left it continues.

Most often, no more than 7 seats are installed in the 1st class, and 8 in the second (for 36 seats). In this case, the numbering is done in the same way - from the end. Third-class carriages are usually equipped with 66 seats, due to which the level of comfort in such carriages drops significantly.

The seats on the Russian Railways train, the photos of which you see below, are not the only possible ones, since passenger transportation companies are allowed to make structural changes to the trains.

In addition to cost and convenience, it is worth paying attention to the precautions that will help you on a long journey.

If you are traveling by train, we recommend that you pay attention to the following recommendations:

• The dining car or buffet are considered the most dangerous areas of the train. The fact is that tables are often not fixed in them, and there is also a large number of dishes that could break and injure passengers in the event of an accident. It is better to take food from the buffet with you.
• According to statistics, during the accident, the head cars are most often affected.
• If you got a side shelf in a reserved seat, lie down with your feet in the direction of movement.
• Shelves in a compartment that are closer to the "head" of the composition are considered the safest.
• Shelves are equipped with special protective sides, which are better to raise, especially during sleep.
• For infants, use a playpen or carrycot.
• Do not buy seats next to the toilet (17 and 18 in the "Lux" cars, 33-36 in the compartment, 33-38, as well as side 37 and 38 in the reserved seat, 49-57 and side 55-57 in the general car and seats under the number 9 in all types of wagons).
• If you wish to bring a pet with you, please make sure it is in the small pet (companion) category. Also, for the transportation of cats, dogs, birds, rodents, non-venomous snakes and reptiles, an appropriate examination from a veterinarian will be required (for example, certificate form No. 4, certificates of series 6.1, 6.2, 6.3). All these documents must be valid for 5 days before transportation.
• Children under the age of 14 must bring their original birth certificate or a notarized copy of it.

In custody

Be sure to study in detail all the seating arrangements that you are required to provide at the Russian Railways ticket office. This information and the one presented in the article will help you purchase tickets for the most comfortable and inexpensive places.

Haven't ridden sit-down trains in a thousand years. It always seemed to me that very near-marginal people use such transport, therefore the quality provided in such trains is appropriate. Imagine my surprise when I found out that sitting can be very comfortable.

Here is such a clean and new wagon caught:

Together with bloggers denisanikin , djhooligantk , nadi_gourmet , ronny_caramel and igor_n_solovev we ended up in this marvelous carriage, planning our super-intricate movements. Returning last Saturday from Samara, we really wanted to stop by Syzran to see the local Kremlin, so we replanned our route a bit and instead of calmly shaking in a compartment to Saratov, we boarded the Day Express, heading to Penza.

We met, in fact, here are the chairs:

Soft, with a headrest, and, of course, descending. In a word - with the bus does not compare. There are even disposable (clean, I checked) capes for the head, because everything is civilized and aesthetically pleasing. On the left armrest is a sound control unit. If you have headphones, you can plug them into the standard 3.5mm jack and listen to one of the 6 audio channels to choose from. One of the channels broadcast the sound of the series, which was shown on the screens in the car. The rest was music. An unusual option, especially when you are used to riding pre-revolutionary cars.

And here are the screens in the car:

Here the tables recline, and there is where to stretch the legs. Again, I was quite surprised that a seated train could be so comfortable.

Deciding to fully slip into comfort, he leaned back and dozed off. And Denis read a lullaby map of Syzran, which he grabbed for free at the tourist stand of the Kazan station:

The coolest thing about this train is the sockets. Thank you, Russian Railways, that you started making them in the 21st century:

And most importantly, the toilets. There are modern biocabins that can be used at any time, and they look very, very civilized.

I only saw such toilets in double-decker cars:

For comparison, the toilet in the usual compartment of the train on which we traveled to Samara looked like this:

The road from Samara to Syzran lasted 1:40. Tickets for such a seated car cost from 400-something rubles. We sat and compared this train with the Swallow, and realized that this is heaven and earth. I will tell you as a person who used the Swallow almost every day during the Olympic Games in Sochi. This train is unrivaled in terms of comfort. Although not as fast.

After 1:40 we were already in Syzran-city: