At the moment, only two double-decker trains run on Russian railways: No. 104, Moscow - Adler, and No. 5, Moscow - St. Petersburg. The cars of both trains were built at the Tver Carriage Works. A distinctive feature of these modern trains is a much larger capacity compared to conventional trains.
Fare
Travel in each of these double-decker trains will cost a little less than a regular train. However, only if the ticket is purchased in advance. The fewer empty seats left in the carriages, the more expensive they are. A ticket for a double-decker train Moscow - Adler, bought in advance, will cost about 4,000 rubles. A train ticket to St. Petersburg costs about 1300 rubles. Sale for the flight starts as usual - 45 days before departure.
Both double-decker trains belong to the branded class. There are no reserved seats in them. In addition to compartments, there are several SVs. The capacity of one carriage is 64 seats. Basically, this was the reason for the reduction in the cost of travel on a double-decker train. Forcomparison: there are usually only 39 seats in a carriage.
Features of the composition
From the usual double-decker train differs primarily in the height of the cars. The train is driven by a fifth-generation locomotive EP-20, capable of operating both on AC and DC. Tall wagons have a modern look. Each bears the Russian Railways branded abbreviation, written in red letters, clearly visible against a gray background.
The restaurant of the Adler composition is designed for 60 seats, St. Petersburg - for 48. Two waitresses serve visitors. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the train. As in conventional trains, food is also sold several times a day in the corridors. In addition to the restaurant, the double-decker train also has a bar for eight people. It is located on the first floor. Next to it is the kitchen. It is connected to the restaurant by two elevators. One of them is designed for lifting ready-made dishes up, and the second for lowering dirty dishes down.
Facilities for the disabled
The conveniences of these two new trains include the fact that they have carriages specially designed for people with disabilities. Their distinctive features are wide corridors. Passengers can move on them right in the stroller. At the entrance to the car there is a special lift. Thus, a disabled person can get into the double-decker train itself (its photo can be seen on the page) without getting up from the carriage.
First floor
Most of the passengers who have already traveled on these trains speak of them as quite comfortable. The carriages are a little cramped than usual, but quite comfortable. The height of the corridors is a little over two meters. The compartment doors can be closed/opened using a magnetic card. Traveling on the train is completely safe - the passages between the cars are sealed.
The branded double-decker train - the composition, judging by the reviews, among other things, is also very clean. Smoking in vestibules is prohibited. Each carriage has three dry closets. You can use them, including at stops. There are also containers for sorting garbage on the train.
Second floor
A rather well-equipped staircase leads upstairs from the first floor. Its steps are illuminated, but you can hold on to comfortable handrails. There is a garbage container on the interfloor platform. A survey spherical mirror is suspended above it. Passengers descending the stairs can see those ascending, and vice versa.
The second floor of the train is very similar to the first. The only difference is that the ceiling here is slightly sloping, and the windows are very low - at the level of an adult's waist.
Train compartment
Passengers who bought a ticket for the branded train Moscow - Adler double-decker or to St. Petersburg can get settled very well. The compartments in these trains are quite comfortable and well equipped. Each of them is designed for four people. The length of the shelves in the compartment is slightly less than in the cars of ordinary trains. However, even highpeople can fit on them more or less comfortably. The only thing - to sit in full growth on the second shelf will not work. The ceilings on both floors are quite low. The third luggage racks in compartments and CBs are not provided. Suitcases can only be placed under the lower ones.
The lighting in the compartment is LED, and sockets for charging phones and laptops are built into the wall next to each of the two lower shelves. Available in double-decker trains and free Wi-Fi. Communication is provided by Megafon. Among other things, each compartment has a separate radio station. Increases the comfort of the trip and the presence of a climate control system. However, unfortunately, it is impossible to regulate the temperature in each individual compartment.
Windows throughout the train are equipped with modern noise-insulating double-glazed windows. SV-cars have LCD monitors for watching video programs.
Maintenance
When boarding a double-decker train, as in any branded train, passengers are given bed linen. The ticket price also includes a sanitary kit, newspapers, boiled water during the entire journey and dry rations. The latter includes bottled water, jam, cracker, chicken pate, mustard, mayonnaise, waffles. Just like on ordinary trains, tea is served periodically. The hygiene package includes spoon, fork, knife, toothpick, paper napkin.
Both double-decker trains are escorted by police officers. Forso that they can monitor the order in the cars, video cameras are placed in the corridors.
Double-decker train reviews
As already mentioned, the opinion of passengers about these trains was good. First of all, the low cost of travel and the absence of the standard inconveniences of Russian trains are noted: closed toilets at stops, heat or cold in cars, idle boilers, etc.
The disadvantages of these trains, passengers include, first of all, some cramped cars. Clean and comfortable toilets are also something the double-decker train boasts. Reviews in this regard about him are also very good. However, the toilets are sometimes smoky. Smoking in the vestibules of both trains is prohibited. Therefore, some passengers do it in the toilet. Causes certain inconvenience and the absence of third shelves. If there is too much baggage, there will simply be nowhere to put it.
Line-up chart
The double-decker train moves a little faster than usual. The average speed is about 160 km/h. The schedule is designed in such a way that the majority of passengers are on the road in the shortest time. From Moscow to Adler on a double-decker train can be reached in about 25 hours. To St. Petersburg - 8 hours.
As you can see, the double-decker train (photos confirm this) can be assessed as quite convenient and comfortable. The ticket is inexpensive, and the train moves very quickly. So you can even put up with some tightness.
