Each compartment of the carriage is equipped with ventilation, hangers for clothes and bags, a radio, as well as places for things that are located under the lower and above the upper bunk. There are small mesh mounts on the wall for newspapers and towels.
Side seats
There are a total of 18 side shelves in the carriage; they run along the aisle, perpendicular to the shelves in the compartment.
Just like the compartments, the side seats are equipped with two shelves for passengers to rest - upper and lower, and another shelf for storing luggage and a blanket with a pillow. The lower shelf folds out into a table and two seats.
You can find out more about the location of the side seats, and also see how they look in the photo.
Carriage at night: lighting mode and how to isolate yourself from neighbors
At night, the lights in the carriages are dimmed so that passengers can rest in comfort. Safety rules do not allow turning off the lights completely. A reserved seat card does not allow each passenger to adjust the lighting individually, so from 10 pm to 6 am, the conductor makes sure that the incandescent lamps are only half lit. At this time, the radios are also turned off.
Often, passengers in reserved seat carriages sleep not only at night, but also during the day, especially on trains long distance. The owner of the top shelf can use the bottom one if he wants to have a snack at a common table. However, he cannot claim a seat below if the owner of the bottom bunk is against it.
Reference. You can get bed linen from the guide not only at night, but also during the day.
Nuances in the long-distance Demidov Express
The reserved seat, especially in the hot summer, can be cramped and not very comfortable. More comfortable are reserved seat seats on branded trains, in which, as a rule, the conductors take more care of the cleanliness in the carriage and especially in the restroom; there is air conditioning.
One of these branded trains is the Demidov Express. It follows the Ekaterinburg-St. Petersburg route and is rightfully considered a train increased comfort. In addition to the usual equipment and equipment, there is:
The guides themselves lay out and make the beds. Each carriage on such a train is equipped with dry toilets with cold and hot water, as well as a display that shows the time, temperature and occupancy of the toilet.
Passengers can contact the conductor to obtain fiction, newspapers and even clothing and shoe care products. In addition, guides can provide special sleep belts for those who are afraid of falling in their sleep.
Traveling in reserved seat carriages can be not only cheap, but also comfortable, especially on new-style trains. In order for the trip to leave a pleasant impression, it is important to be careful when purchasing a ticket, choosing according to your taste.
There are different ways to travel by train today. Guests are also offered seating. Special carriages resemble a saloon intercity bus or some airplane. There are, of course, distinctive features, but the principle is the same.
A seated car differs from a bus in terms of space. Here, guests’ knees do not rest against the backs of the chairs in front. In general, such carriages are quite comfortable. For example, you can recline your seat and take a nap for an hour or two to pass the time on the road. You can walk on the seated carriage without any problems. It’s quite problematic to do this on a bus, and there’s no need to do it.
Scheme of seated carriages
The choice of seat in a seating carriage will greatly depend on the particular train. The arrangement of the seats, their number, and the comfort class are too different.
As for even-odd places, everything is more or less schematic. As a rule, even-numbered seats are located closer to the aisle. By taking an odd ticket, you will be able to admire the beautiful views from the window, if, of course, the trip takes place during the daytime.
When is it appropriate to ride while sitting?
There are seated carriages on many trains today. Most often, tickets are offered on routes where travel time does not exceed 10–12 hours. The best option There will be a seat ticket if you only have to travel for 5-10 hours. The daytime express “Peter-Moscow” is proof of this. All seats here are almost always occupied.
On long-distance trains, it is more rational to choose either carriages. Agree, traveling, for example, from the capital in two days is not very convenient in a sitting position. But sometimes such a trip makes sense. For example, if maximum cost savings are extremely important. Although its size can be debated for quite a long time. Savings usually do not exceed 30%. But the level of comfort during a trip in the same reserved seat is much higher. However, the choice remains with the passenger.
It should be noted that there is no talk of saving money if you choose a high-speed seated train, Sapsan, for example. Here the principle is different. You travel twice as fast as on a regular train in a compartment or reserved seat. But the ticket price is appropriate.
Comfort classes of seated carriages
As mentioned above, there is no single scheme for seated cars. That is, conditions according to comfort classes in different trains may vary significantly. Most often, guests are offered two (less often three) comfort classes. The first one is traditionally the best. The first class carriage has a lot of free space. There are usually no more than 48 seats here. First class carriages have air conditioning and are equipped with TV monitors. All seats in them fold out (recline). Guests are provided with meals and travel kits.
Second class carriages are less spacious. The number of seats here reaches up to 68. Additional options like air conditioning are not guaranteed. Although most often the air in the car is cooled.
The third comfort class, or the so-called economy, is the least convenient. It's a bit cramped and stuffy here, and you can't count on cutting-edge service. The only advantage of traveling in such a carriage is the cost. If you travel close and for a short time, the conditions are quite bearable. But 6–12 hours in cramped and stuffy conditions is not the best choice.
When buying a ticket for a seated carriage, carefully choose your comfort class and seat. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the seat layout, if one is presented on the carrier’s website. Have an easy journey and rational savings, gentlemen travelers!
With the advent of air travel, train travel lost its former popularity and for a long time there was a decline in passenger traffic using land transport. The situation has changed with the advent of comfortable and convenient trains designed for both short trips and long trips, during which passengers can use familiar amenities for several days. Since the cost of tickets for this type of transport is lower than for planes, 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 only a few 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 designation rules, which help passengers navigate the wide variety of different characteristics of the trains.
Classes of service and categories of Russian Railways cars
Long-distance trains are fast and passenger. The first ones make rare and very short stops, and also have an increased cost. The high cost of tickets is due to the increased speed. If we talk about comfort, it depends not 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 allowed value 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.
It is worth considering that even numbers are given to trains going to the east and north, respectively, trains going to the west and south have 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). Thanks to this, the same trains never meet at the same station or route.
Allegro
The second most popular high-speed train is the Allegro, running 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 Allegro speed is 220 km/h in Finland and 200 km/h within Russia. The train has 7 carriages, 352 seats and 2 seats for disabled people. 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 2nd class and 60.6 euros (4,400 rubles) for 1st class from September to December.
The carriages in the composition are divided into:
- 1 carriage – first class (48 seats);
- 2 carriage – second class with two seats for disabled people and equipped toilets and lifts for them;
- 3 car – buffet;
- 4,5,6 – second grade;
- Car 7 is second class, equipped with a play area for children.
If we talk about the differences between classes, then in the first carriage the seats are arranged in two rows (1+2). The first class seats are covered in leather upholstery. Cars of this type are equipped with a meeting room for 6 seats. There is also a self-service area with free drinks and headphones. In 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 above-mentioned service), sometimes Allegro trains are turned in the opposite direction.
If you are interested in the safest seats in a train car, these are the seats located next to the exit. It is better to choose a carriage 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 region. This ambitious lineup was created specifically on the eve of the 2014 Olympics. The letters ES stand for "ElectroSiemens".
Today "Swallows" travel 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 Lastochka train, the arrangement of seats in the carriage of which differs from Sapsan and Allegro in several ways. For example, there are suburban (ES1) and intercity type salons (ES2G and ES2GP). There are also several models of this train: “Lastochka – Standard” and “Lastochka – Premium”. The latter is operated only in several directions (Moscow - Kursk, Moscow - St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg - Petrozavodsk). In the regular composition there are 409 seats, of which 30 are equipped with reclining backrests, including 4 chairs for wheelchair users, and in the “Premium” - 331.
First of all, let's look at commuter train swallow, the layout of which is formed according to a fairly simple algorithm.
The train runs in two versions:
- 5 carriages (if the flow of people is small);
- 10 cars (double trains that operate with an increased flow of passengers).
The seats in the trains are divided into first, second and third class.
The head carriages of the ES1 train have 67 third class seats:
- 8 in the luxury compartment;
- 50 general;
- 9 folding;
- 2 places require a wheelchair.
Healthy! Many people ask the question “Shared seats on the train – what is it?” These places are no different from the usual reserved seat, the only difference is in their number. IN common carriage They sit not 2 people, but 3.
The intermediate cars have 103 seats, 99 of which do not recline and 4 reclining ones.
In the same salons, only in the Premium class, all seats are upholstered in softer fabric. In this case:
- 1 head car is designed for 33 seats for 1st class (1C) and 4 seats for 2nd class (2C) of increased comfort.
- The second head carriage has 45 seats for 2nd class (4 of them are superior).
Premium type trains also include intermediate cars, each of which has 86 second class seats.
Seats in 2nd and 3rd class differ in row arrangement, with 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 layout. The head carriages are designed for 66 seats and 9 folding (side) seats. The intermediate cars contain 80 seats. In ES2G, the seats are facing the back of the previous row.
The cars of the Lastochka train differ in many ways, but there are general characteristics, which are characteristic of all models of compositions, namely:
- Car doors open only at the final stations. In order to leave the train at an intermediate station, you must use the doors in cars 2, 3, 7 and 9.
- All doors of the train are equipped with automatic retractable steps for ease of boarding and disembarking passengers on low platforms.
- Odd seats in trains 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 toilets for people with disabilities are located in the head cars.
The detailed location of Lastochka trains and their schedule can be found on the official website.
Swift
The high-speed train "Strizh" was developed by the Spanish company Patentes Talgo SL, but this applies exclusively to the carriages of the train. The locomotives used are domestic ones, the EP20 series. New line-up 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 sleeping berths (SV);
- 6-7 cars are a buffet and restaurant;
- 8-9 carriages with business class seats;
- 10-18 economy class carriages (seated).
The standard layout 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 car begins with number 1, but further distribution does not occur in order (see diagram below). Moreover, in cars of this type, the seats are arranged in two rows (1+2).
In second class seated carriages there is a power socket for each row of seats, and in 1st class - for each seat.
When traveling on regular long-distance trains, it is also worth considering the peculiarities of the numbering and location of seats.
Location of seats in a standard reserved seat carriage
Not all passengers can afford expensive soft compartments, so most people are interested in the location of seats in a reserved seat train car.
Each compartment has 3 luggage shelves and 6 seats (2 side and 4 “transverse”). In total, a typical carriage has 54 sleeping places and 81 seats. Sleeping berths are numbered from 1 to 36, and side berths from 37 to 54. Let's look at the location of seats on the train (reserved seat) in more detail:
- 37 (lower shelf) and 38 (upper shelf). The seats under these numbers are located in open compartment 9 and are adjacent to the toilet.
- 39 and 40. Located in 8 compartments. 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. Located in compartment 6, opposite them are 21, 22, 23 and 24 seats.
- 45 and 46. Shelves of the fifth compartment, opposite which are seats numbered 17,18,19 and 20.
- 47 and 48. Seats in 4 compartments, opposite them are 13, 14, 15 and 16 shelves.
This is the standard seat arrangement, but depending on the train configuration, the numbers may differ significantly, so it is better if, when purchasing a ticket, you are provided with a seat map for reserved seat seats in the train car of a specific composition.
If we talk about the most convenient reserved seat seats, most people prefer the lower shelves, guided by the fact that they will not fall when the train moves. However, when choosing such placement, you need to take into account the fact that throughout the entire journey, you will most likely have to endure the company of a stranger from the top shelf who has every right sit on your bunk. On the top place, although it is not so comfortable, you will be left alone.
If you see a diagram of a reserved seat train with seat numbers, then even with the naked eye you will notice that the side berths are the most inconvenient. In addition, they are shorter than other bunks, so your legs will hang in the air while you sleep. 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 regular seats, which are also numbered according to certain rules.
Seating arrangement on the train
Numbering in carriages with seats is no different from generally accepted standards (unless we are talking about modern high speed trains). In regular trains there are usually about 10-12 such cars. At the same time, up to 28 seats are usually allocated for 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 are 3 and 4. Thus, the sequential numbering goes from the end on the right side, and continues on the left.
Most often, in 1st class there are no more than 7 seats, and in second class - 8 (for 36 seats). In this case, numbering is done in the same way - from the end. Third class carriages are usually equipped with 66 seats, which is why the level of comfort in such carriages drops significantly.
The seats on a Russian Railways train, the photo of which you see below, are not the only possible ones, since passenger transportation companies are allowed to make design changes to the trains.
In addition to cost and amenities, it is worth paying attention to safety precautions that will help you during a long trip.
If you are traveling by train, we recommend that you pay attention to the following recommendations:
- The dining car or buffet car is considered the most dangerous areas of the train. The fact is that tables are often not secured in them, and there is also a large amount of dishes that can break and injure passengers in the event of an accident. It is better to take food from the buffet with you.
- According to statistics, the leading cars are most often damaged during an accident.
- If you get a side berth in a reserved seat, lie down with your feet in the direction of travel.
- The compartment shelves located closer to the “head” of the train are considered the safest.
- The shelves are equipped with special protective sides, which are best raised, especially during sleep.
- For infants, use a special playpen or mesh cradle.
- Do not buy seats next to the toilet (17 and 18 in Lux cars, 33-36 in a compartment, 33-38, as well as side seats 37 and 38 in reserved seats, 49-57 and side seats 55-57 in a general carriage and seats numbered 9 in all types of cars).
- If you want to take your pet with you, make sure it is a small pet (companion animal). Also, transportation of cats, dogs, birds, rodents, non-venomous snakes and reptiles will require an appropriate examination from a veterinarian (for example, certificate form No. 4, certificates series 6.1, 6.2, 6.3). All these documents must be valid for 5 days before transportation.
- Children under 14 years of age must have an original birth certificate or a copy certified by a notary.
In conclusion
Be sure to study in detail all the seat layouts that are required to be provided to you at the Russian Railways ticket office. This information and that presented in the article will help you purchase tickets to the most comfortable and inexpensive seats.
As some of you already know from my Facebook, we went to Penza and this time train No. 110, No. 109 was chosen as the transport for delivering our mortal carcasses, since from Samara to Penza there is now a daily express (4 hours on the way) and a bunch decent branded trains (about 6-7 hours). Let’s make a reservation at the very beginning of our post that all of the following applies to branded trains. But even having bought electronic tickets on good trains, we argued what we would see on the spot: a gypsy camp with a bear in a bag, wooden benches upholstered with slats, like in electric trains, demobilization, stench, stuffiness and socks? 
In fact, everything turned out to be not at all as bad as we imagined - a new carriage, comfortable chairs, a dry toilet (this is the one that is not closed an hour before settlements), old Soviet comedies on screens and pop music from the speakers. There is even a small library with Russian Railways bookplates. And of course, tea in glasses with cup holders, where the spoon rings so melodiously on the edge. There are sockets for charging gadgets under each (!) seat. 
Of the worst suspicions, the stuffiness and, of course, the feet in the aisle were unconditionally justified. But it seems to me that Russian Railways trains leave the assembly line with their own atmosphere and at least one specially trained person sticking their socks-clad feet into the narrow passage. 
A seated carriage is a place in which half of the passengers will change during the six and a half hour journey. And there is no need to be afraid of fellow travelers - to a first approximation, these are pleasant people, enthusiastically following the ups and downs of the “Diamond Arm”, which has long been known by heart, or playing the tricky fool on narrow tables. 
We can say that everyone knows what a train is, if they haven’t traveled on it, then in any case they have seen it. But who can confidently answer the question: how does a seated carriage differ from a general carriage? Undoubtedly, those who have already encountered this question or have traveled in these types of carriages will answer correctly. But there are also those who are mistaken, not seeing any difference. And the difference between them is significant and not only in price. For an ordinary passenger, it is difficult to determine which car in front of him is a general or seated one, significant external signs they have no difference.
General carriages
The term “common carriage” means regular reserved seat carriage. But here there are no lying seats, and all those who bought tickets are located on the lower shelves, three passengers each.
This “know-how” appeared in the CIS countries after perestroika. Due to economic decline and lack of funds for the development of the railway. Often those that have fallen into disrepair are still Soviet reserved seat carriages began to enter the line in the form of a common carriage. The number of passengers increased by one and a half times, and the ticket was much cheaper than a reserved seat. It was the demand that led to the increase in the number of cars of this type on trains.
Of course, there is no need to talk about any comfort while traveling in these conditions, especially if over long distances. There is no service provided in these carriages; the most that the conductors can offer is tea or coffee. Modern technologies have completely bypassed this type of transport.
There was a kind of competition among regular travelers to be the first to break into the carriage and climb onto the top bunk, and to cover the required distance in a more comfortable state. But this is only if the conductor is not against it. And it still made things easier for those who were below, because there were already not three people sitting on the bench, but two.
There is an established opinion about this type of carriages about the conflicts that constantly occur in them. Of course, the low cost of a ticket makes its own adjustments to the number of passengers. But this opinion has long since become obsolete, and in any case, each train, if a conflict occurs, is guarded by transport police officers.
Gradually, civilization comes to the railway, and this practice is being eliminated, but how soon it will eradicate itself is a rather rhetorical question.
Seated carriages
Seated carriages by capacity almost identical to common ones. But the main difference here is the seating arrangement of passengers. It looks like a bus, that is, passengers sit in separate chairs one after another in the direction of travel. Quite comfortable chairs are located on both sides of the car, forming a passage between them, without any partitions.
Travel in such a carriage much more comfortable, because you can recline the chair and even take a nap in a reclining state. The inside is always clean and cozy, there are neat curtains on the windows, there is carpeting on the floor in the aisles, or at least a carpet. The seat backs have folding shelves designed for eating, but which can also be used as a stand for small devices.
Upon purchase train tickets It is worth paying attention to the numbering, because there are different seating arrangements. Either two chairs on both sides, or the option of three on one side and, accordingly, one on the other. But even-numbered seats are always located near the windows, and odd-numbered ones are closer to the aisle. Therefore, if there is a choice of tickets, you can choose it based on your preferences.
There are overhead shelves for luggage; of course, they are not provided for large bags and suitcases, but hand luggage will definitely fit.
We should also say about the comfort of the trip thanks to additional services. In carriages of this type, at a minimum, televisions are already installed, allowing you to watch TV shows during the trip. Recently, it has become a mandatory rule to install an air conditioning system in the interiors of carriages, so they are afraid of drafts in the heat or freezing; in winter it is absolutely not worth it.
More and more railway and trains with an Internet access point, and free of charge. There are sockets for charging portable devices and phones, which is good news, especially on long trips. And, of course, the guide also provides tea, coffee and cookies upon request.
But it’s also not worth considering this type of travel over long distances, because spending at least 8 hours in one position is quite difficult. The only way out is to walk around the carriage from side to side, but this will soon get boring.
Conclusions
If we compare these two methods of travel according to the main criteria, we get the following:
- Traveling a short distance – you won’t be able to feel much of a difference.
- Traveling over a long distance - in any case, preference is given to a seated carriage.
- Traveling with children - not a single option is suitable.
- Comfort – definitely sedentary.
- Ticket price – the price, of course, is different, but not radically.
- Service and additional services on the road - undoubtedly, only in a seated carriage can they offer anything.
- Climate – if you’re lucky, there may be air conditioning in the general carriage; in seated carriages this is the norm.
To summarize, it is worth noting that the advantage, of course, belongs to the new generation of cars, and not to the adapted ones, built back in the USSR, with reserved seats. They may be modernized in a modern way, but, as a rule, they do not go on trains like a common carriage.
