Trains for the first persons of the state

Such important inventions of mankind as a steam locomotive and railways could not be left unnoticed by the powers that be. In 1825, the world's first highway between Darlington and Stockton was opened in Great Britain, and a few years later the Queen of England was already getting into a wagon specially made for her (outwardly resembling a carriage) to ride a new invention from Slough to Paddington. The monarch liked the trip and eventually opened a branch from Windsor Castle to London. Other heads of state also did not lag behind and, as the railway networks developed, equipped their trains. In what compositions do they travel today?

United Kingdom

The modern train that currently reigns Elizabeth II travels was put on the rails in 1977, just in time for the 25th anniversary of her reign. The composition, which includes 9 cars (at first there were 14, but in 1997 their number was reduced due to economy) and a couple of locomotives, were painted in the color of the Windsors (maroon). It consists of several bedrooms, bathrooms, offices, a dining room for 12 people. Separate places are provided for accompanying persons, security.



The train is used several times a year for official visits. However, in the case of private trips, the queen sits in a regular train - the fashionable trend for the development of democracy obliges. However, parliamentarians regularly demand to reduce the cost of maintaining the royal family. By the way: now they are 61 pence per year for one Briton, which is equivalent to half a cup of coffee.

North Korea

Very little is known about the train of the DPRK leader. The composition includes from 7 to 21 cars, it is pulled by a pair of locomotives at a speed of no more than 80 km / h. Moreover, a whole “tuple” is sent on long journeys: the first train controls the state of the railway track and ensures safety. In the second (he goes 20-60 minutes after passing the 1st) is the head of state, in the third - the servants and the necessary equipment, including the leader's personal car - an elongated armored Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard. As soon as information about the passage of Kim Jong-un appears, a day before the “event”, the entire nearby territory near the tracks is cleared: security is posted.



The composition includes not only the personal apartments of the ruler of the DPRK. There is a conference room, a dining room, a separate room with a satellite connection, a rest car where the leader can use his favorite karaoke. Furniture - precious woods and leather. Those who managed to travel with Kim Jong-un note good cuisine, which, in addition to traditional Korean dishes, includes French wines, Hennesy cognac, Swiss cheeses, and other delicacies. All crockery is silver.



The service is carried out by the Kippumjo team, surrounded by myths and legends. It includes young, beautiful and tall girls who act as guides, and each of them must be a virgin. What else is hidden behind the walls of the cars is a state secret. However, you can be sure that the train is equipped with all types of protection, including radiation, biological and chemical, and also has its own power supply system. Kim Jong-un, like his father, does not like airplanes, which is proved by the frequency of trips by rail transport: in total, the current leader of the DPRK traveled 334 thousand km, of which 64 thousand km are abroad.

Russia

Letter trains appeared in the empire 12 years after the opening of the world's first public highway in Britain. At first, the train ran between Tsarskoye Selo and St. Petersburg. The opening of a branch with a length of 27 km took place in 1837 - among the first passengers was Emperor Nicholas I. That is, he experienced all the delights of traveling by rail 5 years earlier than Queen Victoria. However, a full-fledged special staff was made and put into action in 1851 along the route Moscow - St. Petersburg. Under Alexander II, a “modernization” took place: the number of wagons increased to 15, and its own power plant appeared.



In 1888, the train crashed (21 people died, but the imperial family was not injured), an investigation was conducted, which revealed errors in the design of the railway track, improper staffing, etc. The result was the construction of new, more advanced and safe wagons.

Train of the President of the Russian Federation

If the compositions of kings and emperors could immediately be identified by the appropriate coloring, inscriptions, then the modern carriages of the first persons of the state are no different from ordinary passenger railway vehicles. Locomotives - diesel locomotives TEP70BS. The cars were built at the Tver plant, but some of them are from the GDR. Only the president and the prime minister with accompanying persons have the right to travel on the letter train. "Ride" even for a lot of money does not work. The composition is under the jurisdiction of two structures: Russian Railways and the Office of the President. A separate train is assembled for each "tour", so the number of carriages varies. But only a few of them are secret, the rest are ordinary coupes and SVs.

In the personal carriage of the president - everything you need for a working environment. This is a desk, a deliberative block for 6 people, a TV set, communication facilities, a seating area, and a bathroom. There is a dining car, a conference room. It is curious that tea is served in metal coasters - a tribute to tradition. By the way, it is very difficult to find photos of the carriages of a letter train in the public domain. Still a strategic object! But the carriage of the Secretary General of the USSR Leonid Brezhnev can be seen today - the train is in Tula as a museum exhibit. However, it should be assumed that there will not be so many differences in a modern letter train: except perhaps in equipment and communications.



At the station there is a special "station" where the government train arrives and is permanently located. It was built by order of Brezhnev in 1974. However, transport does not stand idle for a long time: for example, Putin often came to Sochi on it when preparations were underway for the Olympics. As a rule, such trips are not advertised.

"Golden Eagle"

It would be a mistake to think that the most luxurious train in the Russian Federation is the one that the president rides. On the route Moscow - Vladivostok, the train "Golden Eagle" runs. The cost of the trip will cost at least a million rubles. Ticket to the most luxurious apartments "Imperial" with an area of ​​7 sq. m for two costs 29 thousand 500, for one passenger - 40 thousand euros.

USA

Surprisingly, in the country with the longest railroads (293 km), the President has no personal composition. There is a plane, there are a lot of cars, but for some reason there is no train. Last January, Biden wanted to come to his inauguration on the Amtrak "shared train" (as a senator, he constantly traveled this mode of transport). However, the guards insisted on canceling the one and a half hour trip. What is this composition?



The most expensive wagon option is the Superliner Badroom. The sleeping places-shelves here are wide, and the lower one is designed for two. The area of ​​the "living zone" is approximately 2,3x2 m. There is also a bathroom with a shower cabin, a washbasin and a toilet bowl. The ticket price for the route Los Angeles - Seattle (33 hours 46 minutes) is approximately $ 700. The average speed of the train is 80 km/h. Interesting: the cost of the trip depends on the time of the trip. If it is inconvenient: for example, leaving early in the morning or late in the evening, you will have to pay less.