Interesting facts about the railway. Interesting facts about Russian railways

Railways and aviation have long been competing with each other, attracting passengers with inexpensive, fast and convenient transportation. The average statistical person uses rail transport more than 9 times a year.

We present interesting facts about railways.

The longest line in the world - 9300 km, is the Trans-Siberian railway.

After the appearance of the first railway in Russia, travel was free for some time. Most likely, this was done so that residents could get used to this type of transport. The phrases "this is such a scary thing" were coming from everywhere.

A hundred years ago, a law appeared in France that forbade kissing at train stations. And all because because of this "criminal action" the trains left with a strong delay in time. The law is still "respected".

People who inspect the "iron horses" must have an ear for music in order to take action in time if a breakdown occurs. They determine it by ear - the way the wheel knocks must be of a certain frequency. Railway workers are distinguished from representatives of other professions by a special uniform; everyone has seen these people on railway stations. Today, you can freely buy a similar uniform for everyone, as well as for any other specialty https://specovka.by/obuv-rabochaya-specialnaya

In the city of love, in Paris, there is a similar "love train" to match. His route is not so big, Paris - Venice and back. But, suddenly, at such a distance, people in the compartment want to indulge in love pleasures, they will have all the conditions: a double shelf, a shower cabin and "room service".

There is a train that does not move on rails, but on a magnetic cushion. It was created by the Japanese, and the speed that it can develop reaches 517 km / h.

The first trains in Russia of the third class were equipped with ordinary wooden benches. But, it's still half the trouble. The fact that there was no roof in these cars is a real disaster.

Therefore, people who decided to "ride with the breeze" hid under these lavas from rain and snow.

Railways also visited the Guinness Book of Records. The Australian railway broke all records, not having a single turn for 500 km.

To date " iron world" does not stand still. Technology is advancing, new, "fast-moving" trains are appearing - electric trains, ready to deliver us to the place we need in the shortest possible time. The only negative is the price that we have to pay for it.

By the way, the speed that modern high-speed trains can develop has already exceeded 580 km / h.

1. Two lengths of the equator.

total length railway lines owned by Russian Railways - 85.2 thousand km. If all the existing Russian Railways rails were laid out along the equator, then it would be enough for two circles and a little more would be left. Moreover, one of these two circles was electrified and electric trains and electric locomotives could go along it. The second circle would remain exclusively for diesel locomotives smoking the sky from a pipe. The length of electrified lines is 42.9 thousand km.

2. Russian railways consume up to 6% of all electricity produced in the country, or 44 billion kWh per year, and 10% of diesel fuel.

3. high speed trains- the pride of Russian Railways. Their photographs are printed on posters and in booklets, banners with their advertisements hang everywhere on the company's website. Today, Russian Railways has five trains, which are called high-speed. Two of them - "Sapsan" and "Nevsky Express" - run between Moscow and St. Petersburg, between Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod there are "Sapsan", "Petrel" (twin brother of "Nevsky Express") and "Swallow". And from St. Petersburg to Helsinki goes "Allegro". The fastest of them are Sapsan and Allegro, in some places they travel up to 220 km/h.

4. The longest train route is Kharkov - Vladivostok (No. 053), the distance is 9722 km (in reverse side- 9715 km).

The longest direct routes are 10,267 km: Moscow  Pyongyang via Khabarovsk (direct car to train No. 001/002 Moscow Vladivostok) and Kyiv → Vladivostok (direct car to train No. 053 Kharkov  Vladivostok).

5. The railway line rises to the highest point on the Trans-Siberian between Turgutui and Yablonovaya stations. The train moves here at an altitude of 1040 meters. The second place in terms of height above sea level is occupied by the Kizha station, which is west of the Petrovsky Zavod, the height of which is more than 900 meters. And on the third place of the high-rise pedestal is Andrianovsky Pass, which is located west of Lake Baikal. Its height reaches 900 meters.

6. The coldest place on the railway is located on the section of the Trans-Siberian Railway between the villages of Mogocha and Skovorodino. Interestingly, this site is not the northernmost in terms of geography, but the coldest in terms of climate. This place can be called a real cold pole, as the temperature in winter here sometimes drops to -62 degrees. It is hard to imagine how a railway was once laid in the permafrost zone.

7. Annually in Russia by rail used by 1,300,000,000 passengers. That is, every resident of Russia uses the train 9 times a year. However, this figure is far from the limit. In the USSR, there were 15 train trips for every person.

8. The Trans-Siberian Railway is considered the longest railway not only in Russia, but throughout the world. The length of this railway from Nakhodka to Moscow is 9438 kilometers. There are 97 major stations on this road.

9. The middle station of the Trans-Siberian is called “Half”. From it to Moscow and to Vladivostok the same distance.

10. Before the revolution in Russia, there was the eponymous Main Society of Russian Railways, formed on January 26, 1857 in accordance with the imperial decree of Alexander II. The founders of the society were Russian, Polish, English and French bankers. The capital of the company was 275 million silver rubles. The first chairman of the Management Board of the society was Baron Peter Kazimirovich Meyendorff, and the chief director was Karl Koldinon, the chief inspector of bridges and roads in France.

Interesting fact number 1

Every year 1,300,000,000 passengers use rail transport in Russia. That is, every resident of Russia uses the train 9 times a year. However, this figure is far from the limit. In the USSR, there were 15 train trips for every person.

Interesting fact number 2

The longest railway is the Trans-Siberian Railway, which has a length of about 9300 kilometers.

Interesting fact number 3

The middle station of the Trans-Siberian Railway is called "Half". From it to Moscow and to Vladivostok the same distance.

Interesting fact number 4

The first railway was opened between St. Petersburg and Moscow, and the first three days of transportation were free of charge. Simply no one wanted to ride on such an unknown thing as a train.

Interesting fact number 5

If you want to work at Russian Railways, enter the railway institute in Krasnoyarsk.

Interesting fact number 6

In France, it is forbidden to kiss at train stations, as this often caused train delays. The law has been in force for 100 years, and no one has repealed it to this day.

Interesting fact number 7

RailroadIt is known that linemen who check the serviceability of train wheels have a sensitive ear for music. After all, they have to identify wheel defects by changing the tone of the knock.

Interesting fact number 8

On one of the trains that runs in western Peru, conductors provide oxygen bags to their passengers. The fact is that the train travels on the highest railway in the world, which is located at an altitude of about three kilometers.

Interesting fact number 9

Once, in the USA, in the state of Ohio, a train collided with a steamboat. Lake Ohio overflowed its banks at that moment, and the railroad plunged into a meter-thick water column. The driver, however, still decided to drive across the river, well, his way was blocked by a steamboat.

Interesting fact number 10

In Bavaria, in 1910, an order was issued on behalf of the local authorities, which forbade the drinking of beer by machinists and stokers during stops.

Interesting fact number 11

In Argentina, you can ride the famous Patagonia-Express train, which survived the heist of the century. Tourists who decide to ride this train will not only be able to enjoy the scenery outside the window, but also unwittingly take part in a planned performance that simulates a real train robbery.

Interesting fact number 12

In Argentina, you can now take a tour on the legendary Patagonia Express train, which was restored specifically for tourists. In addition to the impressions of the surrounding landscapes, passengers can become participants in the carefully planned "Train Robbery" action without their consent.

Interesting fact number 13

For several years there was railway route"Paris-Venice", where the special "Train of Love" ran. In the compartment of such a train was organized special service. At the disposal of the passengers was a TV, shower, and a special sleeping bunk for two people.

Interesting fact number 14

Once in Switzerland they organized a train tour, where the whole elite Swiss society: officials, honorary citizens, politicians, etc. For the occasion, the entire train was made up of restaurant cars. However, the organizers of this celebration did not take into account the fact that there are no toilets in dining cars in Switzerland. As a result, when the train reached its destination, the passengers jumped out of the cars, surprising all the citizens who had gathered to meet the guests of honor.

In which country did a cat work as a stationmaster and attract many new clients?

In 2006, a Japanese railway company in Wakayama Prefecture hired part-time caretakers for small stations in order to optimize costs. One of the new employees took care of several stray cats, and soon one of them named Tama was officially appointed as the stationmaster. Her main duty was to greet passengers in a branded cap, and the news about this significantly increased their flow. It was estimated that Tama's appointment contributed over a billion yen to the local economy. For these accomplishments, Tama was promoted to CEO and served with the company until her death in 2015.

Which country produced an armored car that could move both on tracks and on rails?

Planning expansion into China and Siberia, the Japanese developed a special Type 2595 "So-Ki" armored car in the 1930s. Its distinctive advantage was the possibility of movement both on caterpillar tracks and on railroads. Transferring the car from tracks to wheels took three minutes, back - just a minute. Armament consisted of one machine gun in a conical turret. "So-Ki", being able to reach speeds on rails up to 72 km / h, was widely used in China for transportation and patrolling.

Why does the train reverse before moving forward?

If the driver of a heavy freight train tries to start moving sharply forward, then the train may not budge, since the total static friction force acting from the side of the rails on the wheels of the cars will exceed the sliding force of the driving wheels of the locomotive. Often, the operator must first back up to loosen the hitch tension. And only then go forward, setting the cars in motion one by one.

Which country has a market with a railroad right in the middle?

Right in the middle of the Maeklong Market in Thailand, there is a railway track that runs every day. Warned by the siren, the sellers are able to quickly roll up the sheds and remove the goods, and then just as quickly return everything back, and the trade continues. Many vegetables and fruits remain lying on the ground right next to the rails, as the composition does not touch them. When the road was laid in 1905, they wanted to move the market to the side, but its workers chose to stay and adapt.

Where and when did a baboon who did not make a single mistake work as a railway signalman?

At the end of the 19th century, James Wide worked as a signalman on the railway tracks of the port of Cape Town, having lost both legs in an accident. After some time, he bought a baboon Jack in the market, whom he trained to carry him on a cart between the hut and the signal box, and also to help him switch signals using levers. One day, the railroad management received a complaint, and Wide was almost fired, but he asked to test the abilities of the baboon, who did well in all the tests and was enrolled in the staff. Jack worked as a signalman until his death and is said to have never made a single mistake.

Where does the train run that you can hitchhike at any point on its route?

The Hurricane Turn train runs in Alaska between Talkeetna and Hurricane Gulch. The length of the route is just under 93 km, and there are no intermediate stations along this distance. But at any point along the way, those wishing to board the train can stop it by waving a white cloth.

Which toy part was used in the first electrocardiograph?

The first version of the design of the electrocardiograph was developed in 1887 by Augustus Waller, an employee of the London hospital, and included a platform from a toy railway. On it was a movable photographic plate on which the cardiogram was recorded. However, due to the weak sensitivity of the electrometer used, Waller's apparatus was not yet suitable for a full-fledged diagnosis.

What intellectual abilities are revealed in slime molds?

Slime molds are organisms of the kingdom of protozoa. At different stages of development, they either have the appearance of mucus from a single multinucleated cell, or take on a more solid form, similar to the fruiting body of fungi, but in any case do not even have a hint of a nervous system. However, several studies have identified the "intellectual" abilities of Physarum polycephalum slime molds. For example, they can take the shortest path through a labyrinth, at the entrance and exit of which pieces of food are placed. In another study, scientists arranged oatmeal to match the size and position of Japanese capital Tokyo and its 36 suburbs, and the slime mold has built a structure similar to the existing railroad network.

What were the chauffeurs doing in the first place?

The word "chauffeur" was originally called people who did not drive a vehicle, but threw coal or firewood into the furnace of the engine room. Literally translated from French, from where it came to us, chauffeur means "stoker, stoker." Since the engine of the first cars was Steam engine, the drivers had to melt it, therefore, by analogy with the stokers of steam locomotives, they also began to be called drivers.

Where is the railway laid, in the train cars of which oxygen is supplied?

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway in China is the highest in the world, climbing at the highest high point to a height of more than 5 kilometers. For this road trains have been developed with special wagons in which oxygen is supplied. In addition, each passenger can wear an individual oxygen mask.

Where do trains run with wagons tilting when turning?

In 1973, railways in Japan were the first to use trains with wagons that tilted when turning, allowing them to pass turns on more speed. The original technology was imperfect and caused seasickness in passengers, so it was not widely adopted. Modern systems based on digital signal processing that actively control the inclination of each car have eliminated this problem, and now such trains are used in a dozen and a half countries from Australia to Norway.

When and where did the tram run on rails laid at the bottom of the sea?

In 1896 between English cities Brighton and Rottingdean began to run unusual vehicle called Daddy Long Legs - a cross between a tram and a ferry. Laying the railway overland on this route required a lot of engineering structures, and engineer Magnus Volk proposed laying the rails directly on the seabed - the total length of the track was 4.5 km. The platform with passengers rose above the rails on four supports 7 meters long and had a flag, lifeboat and other maritime attributes, as it was formally considered a ship. The service was canceled in 1901 when it was decided to build new breakwaters near Brighton, and the transfer of the track was considered too costly.

When and where did an uncontrolled train travel more than 100 km, accelerating to a speed of 76 km/h?

On May 15, 2001, in Ohio, USA, a railroad crew was moving a 47-car train from one track to another. Due to a technical error, an unmanned train called CSX 8888 picked up speed and left for independent travel, during which it accelerated to a speed of 76 km / h. Having traveled more than 100 km, the train was stopped by the driver of the diesel locomotive that caught up with him, who grappled with the last car and applied rheostatic braking.

Which mechanism is named after the inventor of the prototype bicycle?

The prototype of the bicycle was designed and patented by the German baron Karl von Dres in 1818. This mechanism had a wooden frame, metal wheels and a steering wheel, but there were no pedals - in order for it to move, it was necessary to push off the ground with your feet. The surname of the inventor in the name of the bicycle was not fixed, but gave the name to the trolley - a device for moving on rails with mechanical traction.

How did the anti-alcohol campaign affect the lyrics of The Time Machine?

During Gorbachev's anti-alcohol campaign, many works of art were censored. For example, Andrey Makarevich changed the text in the song “Conversation on the Train”: after the line “Carriage disputes are the last thing,” instead of “when there is nothing else to drink,” he began to sing “and you can’t cook porridge from them.”

What was the main reason for the transition to a time zone system in the 19th century?

Until the 19th century, there was no division into time zones, everywhere the time was determined by the Sun. There was no need for time zones, as there was no high-speed transport. Unification was driven by the development of railways in England, because due to time differences in each city it was very difficult to draw up a normal timetable. It was the railway companies who ensured that there was one GMT time zone throughout the country. And then gradually the system of time zones began to spread around the world.

Who was the victim of the murderer, whose brother had previously saved the life of the son of the victim?

US President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in a theater by John Booth in 1865. Shortly before this, by coincidence, the brother of the latter, Edwin Booth, saved the life of the president's son, Robert Lincoln, on a railway platform.

Where did the train crash happen due to the language barrier?

In 2001, there was a railway accident in Belgium in which 8 people, including both drivers, died as a result of a head-on collision of trains. Among other accidents, this one is unique in that it main reason became a language barrier. When the driver of the first train left the station despite the red traffic light, the dispatcher called the next station to warn about it. However, the controllers did not understand each other, as one spoke French and the other Dutch. Both of these languages ​​are official in Belgium, and according to the rules of the railway company, staff must know at least one of them.

What accident did the Americans stage in 1896 for the entertainment of the public?

In 1896, one of the American railroad companies staged a show - a deliberate collision of two trains at full speed. 40,000 tickets were sold for the "performance", and a temporary campus was built for the spectators who bought tickets. However, the engineers miscalculated the force of the blast and the crowd was not withdrawn to a safe enough distance, resulting in three deaths and several others being injured.

What were military armored tires?

Trains are one of the most popular modes of transport. Every day they carry more than a million passengers around the world. But at the same time, few people know that many interesting facts are connected with trains.

1. Abandoned station

In New York there is a subway station, City Hall, passing through which the train slows down without stopping and without opening the doors. This beautiful station was opened in 1904 on a new metro line, but in 1945 it was closed due to low passenger flow and unsafe use. But today, train number 6 passes very slowly through this station every day so that passengers can admire its luxurious interior.

2. From kamikaze planes to high-speed trains

During World War II, the Japanese used to attack American warships. special aircraft, designed by designer Miki Tadanao. Thanks to an optimized streamlined shape, they picketed at great speed, hitting the target with lightning speed. But realizing how many pilots had died because of his kamikaze planes, Miki Tadanao focused on more peaceful projects. Using his knowledge, he helped build the first generation of bullet trains. During a trial run in 1963, they achieved a speed of 256 km / h. Today's bullet trains can reach speeds of over 600 km/h.

3. Steam vs Horse

In 1830, a railroad was built between Baltimore and Ohio, which ran horses and carts. Peter Cooper suggested using a steam engine instead of horses. To implement this idea, Peter designed and built a small steam locomotive, "Tom Thumb" - "Boy with a finger." His test was very successful. After that, Peter Cooper decided to arrange a demonstration race "Steam against a horse."

At the beginning of the race, the advantage was on the side of the horse, since the locomotive needed time to accelerate, but, gaining a speed of 29 km / h, it easily overtook the horse. However, after some time, the drive belt came off the locomotive, it slowed down, and the horse came to the finish line first. But, nevertheless, the superiority of the steam locomotive was obvious, and soon trains with steam locomotives began to run on the railway.

4 Hogwarts Express

The world of Harry Potter is filled with magic, and, of course, we all would like to see it in reality. And some traces of that world still remain in our lives. Arriving in Scotland, you will be able to ride on the same express train, on which students, including Harry Potter, traveled to Hogwarts, the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Trains with those same red trailers still run along the picturesque West Highland route today. They drive along the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, and the same wonderful landscapes flash through the windows as in the Harry Potter movie.

5. American Civil War

6. “Horsepower”

The horsepower unit of measure for power has been used for hundreds of years. But what is this unit and where did it come from? James Watt suggested using steam instead of horses in breweries. Watching horses, Watt noticed that a horse could drag a load weighing 14.774 kg over a distance of 0.3 m in 1 minute. Rounding 14.774 kg to 15 kg, he introduced the unit of power "horsepower". Comparing the performance of a horse and a steam engine using this unit, Watt convinced brewers to replace horses with steam, and as a result, the efficiency of the brewing process increased significantly. And the term “horsepower” has been widely used since that time.

7 Presidential Funeral Train

George Pullman drew attention to the fact that train cars were not very convenient for night trips and decided to improve them. In partnership with his close friend, Benjamin Field, he created a company to design comfortable railroad cars, and six years later the company produced two such cars, the Springfield and the Pioneer. In 1865, after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, his body had to be transported by train to Springfield. All along the route, in dozens of cities, there were mourning people. Lincoln's widow, seeing all this, upon arrival in Chicago, fainted from nervous exhaustion. Pullman, in order to make it easier for her to endure the rest of the journey, offered to use his Pioneer car. The convenience of this car was appreciated, and since then all trains have been equipped with sleeping cars.

8. Time zones

How to determine the time in the territory big country, in different parts of which daylight hours are not synchronous. For these purposes, time zones were invented. In 1883, representatives of the railroad companies of the United States met to develop a convention to determine the common time. November 18, at 12 noon, a telegraphic signal was sent from the American observatory, according to which all railway stations adjusted their hours. In 1918, the US Congress officially approved nine time zones in the country.

9. Railway fever

After steam locomotives began to be used in America, the need arose for large-scale construction of railroad tracks. In 1830, when the first steam locomotive was tested, the length of railroad tracks in the United States was 37 km. By 1861 it had reached 48,000 km, between 1890 and 1900 another 64,000 km had been added, and by 1916 the length of railroads in the United States (402,000 km) exceeded the distance from the Earth to the Moon. By 1930, the length of the roads was 692,000 km. In the future, with the advent of cars, the construction of railway lines began to decline.

10. Right on schedule

All trains in Japan run without delay, even a one-minute delay is very rare. The Japanese achieved this by taking train drivers seriously and punishing them severely for being late. If passengers are late at the station, an apology is made over the loudspeaker, and a document is issued confirming the delay of the train, indicating the reason. Passengers can present this official document to their employer if problems arise due to their being late for work.

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