Kuibyshev railway

The Kuibyshev Railway (KR) is one of the oldest railroads in Russia. Its history began in October 1874, when the first Morshansk-Sysran section was opened for regular train traffic.

Much has been changed since that time. Thousands kilometers of new lines have been built; steam locomotives have been replaced by diesel and electric tractive stock (80 per cent of all traffic is carried out by means of electric traction, 20 per cent – by means of diesel traction); automatic block system and Centralized Traffic Control are now being used instead of telegraph train communication; powerful industrial-technical basis has been created.

At present the KR is one of the largest mainlines of the Russian Federation, connecting its Centre and West with the major economic areas of the Urals, Siberia, Far East and countries of Middle Asia. The total operating length of the railway is over 4, 800 km, 54 per cent of them is electrified. The steel lines extend through the territories of seven regions and three republics of the Russian Federation.

Great amounts of various cargoes are carried by the railway, among them are: oil and oil products, chemicals, timber, cement, construction materials. Every fifth tank car with liquid goods and every third motor car in Russia is shipped from stations of the KR. To handle freight traffic there are about 230 stations, including 58 stations on the territory of the Samara Region.

The KR ensures complex services to its customers. A cargo-owner has only to make an order, and shipment and delivery of goods will be provided «from door to door» with execution of transport papers, including insurance and customs documents. Moreover, there exists the system of informational customers' services, and a cargo-owner can get complete information of whereabouts of his freight. It is possible thanks to the computation centre of the KR, which ranks among the largest ones within the Russian railway network.

The main aim of the KR is to provide safe, reliable and fast rail transportation of passengers. Approximately 80 million passengers are carried by the railway annually. About 100 passenger long-distance trains and up to 250 local trains run on the railway daily. Six passenger trains of higher comfort run between Samara and Moscow, Pensa, Saransk, Ulyanovsk, Ufa. The schedule of such trains is worked out in accordance with the passengers' requirements as to arrival and departure time. The passengers are proposed various services both during their journeys and at the terminals: meals, latest newspapers and magazines, radio- and TV-broadcasting, security.

It should be said that the operation of the KR would be impossible without people. About 100, 000 highly skilled specialists are employed by the KR, among them are: engineers, technical personnel, economists, engine drivers and their mates, passenger car conductors, car repair fitters, loaders and others. Much attention is paid to training, re-training and improving the qualification of both engineers and workers of mass trades.

The railway's own system of school education and professional training was created in the late 1900s. This system is constantly developing; it includes secondary, vocational and technical schools, as well as the Samara State Railway Academy. This higher school trains engineers, economists and book-keepers for the KR. It also has special extension courses for railway employees. They are organized so that each specialist may take this course for improving his/her qualification once in six years with or without discontinuing work.

Ex.20. Complete the following sentences and add something to develop the situation.

1) The Kuibyshev Railway…. 2) The history of this railway began…. 3) The KR connects…. 4) The total length…. 4) Diesel and electric tractive stock…. 5) Automatic block system and Centralized Traffic Control are…. 6) Various types of freight such as…. 7) To handle freight traffic…. 8) A cargo-owner has only to make an order…. 9) Thanks to the Computation Centre a cargo-owner…. 10) The main aim of the KR is…. 11) About 80 million passengers…. 12) About 100, 000 highly skilled specialists…. 13) The system of training specialists for the railway includes…. 14) The Samara State Railway Academy not only trains specialists, but also….

Ex.21. Correct the following sentences using the introductory phrases. See Lesson 1.

1) The KR is the oldest railway in Russia. 2) The KR connects Moscow and St. Petersburg. 3) Steam traction is used on some sections of the KR. 4) The total length of the railway is over 4, 800 km and 100 per cent of them is electrified. 5) The KR handles only freight traffic. 6) Liquid goods are carried in box cars. 7) To handle freight traffic there are two stations on the territory of the Samara region. 8) The computation centre of the KR ranks among the largest ones in the world. 9) About 80, 000 passengers are transported by the railway annually. 10) Six passenger trains of higher comfort run between Samara and London. 11) All passenger trains depart from the Samara terminal in the mornings. 12) About 100 railwaymen work at the railway. 13) Both engineers and workers of the KR have higher education.

Ex.22. Talk on the past and present of theKuibyshev Railway. To make your story logical keep to the following main items:

▪ Tell a few words about the history of the KR.

▪ Give a short characteristic of the present state of the KR: a) its length and the type of traction used; b) transportation of freight; c) transportation of passengers.

▪ Tell what you know about the people working at the railway and their training.

▪ If you once traveled by train belonging to the KR, tell about your impressions. What did you like and dislike about your travel.