Perhaps it is quite difficult to find a person who has never traveled in a reserved seat train carriage at least once in his life. Although carriages with seats have become more and more popular lately, night trains still run in many countries of the world, which means that everyone can learn all the "delights" of a trip in a crowded reserved seat. In which country the sleeping cars will be the most comfortable, and where is it better not to get into them further in our article.
1. Japan
Perhaps the most unusual modification of sleeping cars exists in Japan. They consist of two tiers of sun loungers that have absolutely no space between them. Each place is separated from each other by only a small partition, and there is a curtain on the side of the aisle.
These unusual sleeping bunks are finished with a special carpet inside; travelers can get to the second tier by a special staircase, which provides comfortable and safe lifting and descent from the upper bunks. Such cars are in great demand among those who do not care about such a close presence of strangers.
2. Thailand
In Thailand, second class carriages are considered second class. Considering that their width is narrower than in Russia, some cars can only have side shelves, which are located on both sides of the aisle. And in other cars - only transverse.
But in both cases, each seat can be closed with a curtain, which allows you to organize at least the slightest degree of privacy for a comfortable rest of an individual passenger.
3. Russia
Many people are painfully familiar with rides in reserved seat cars, which were designed at the beginning of the last century. The only difference: if a hundred years ago the sun loungers were wooden, then for the last fifty years they have been made semi-soft with leatherette upholstery.
Recently, Russian Railways has been developing a new concept for sleeping berths, trying to make travel more comfortable. The desire to organize "personal comfort zones" for passengers has led to the emergence of brand new carriages, which will receive their first passengers at the end of this year.
Although the arrangement of the shelves has remained the same, very useful additions have appeared: sockets, USB connectors, a table for glasses between the upper shelves, vending machines and coolers with hot water in the vestibules, as well as curtains between the shelves. More details about all the changes and innovations have already been reported in the materials of Novate.ru.
It is noteworthy that the designers and engineers of Russian Railways have been cherishing the hope of introducing a completely new modification of cars - capsule type for several years. But this project has too many opponents, and the passengers are not happy with such a radical change, which will entail a significant increase in ticket prices.
4. China
Despite the fact that high-speed railway lines are developing rapidly, ordinary trains still run between settlements in China, and they also have reserved seats. They look quite ordinary, but the arrangement of the shelves is different.
Each separate compartment has six shelves in three tiers, and instead of the side ones, there are tables and reclining chairs, where you can dine or just sit, watching the changing landscape outside the train window.
Also in China, sleeping cars are created in high-speed trains, which, as a rule, are double-decker. And individual seats have already turned into real capsules that create the most comfortable personal area.
5. India
Rail travel is very popular among ordinary citizens of India. This bias is due to the affordability of travel, which is why sleeping cars are always overcrowded here. In second-class cars, there is a very narrow passage separating the shelves, which are located along and across (as in our trains).
Of course, complete unsanitary conditions and overcrowding, the lack of bed linen and the worn-out condition of the entire interior space do not cause much joy from the trip. The only thing that pleases passengers is the presence of a hot dinner (if your appetite does not spoil!), Which is already included in the ticket price.
6. Europe
Considering that European countries do not have too long distances for traveling on long-distance trains, therefore, the main modification of railway cars is seated. But there are still sleeping cars in some rolling stock - this is a compartment with sunbeds without a bathroom and a shelf with a bathroom.
As a rule, sleeping cars have three tiers of shelves and a folding table, there is also a door that can be closed at night. There are no side shelves in such cars.
7. USA
Perhaps this is the only country in the world in which a train ticket to a carriage with a berth is more expensive than a plane ticket to the same settlement, and the travel time can significantly increase, going beyond the timetable. Therefore, practical Americans have long made their choice in favor of domestic airlines.
But be that as it may, the railway in the United States continues to function and every day carries its passengers, who decided to use this particular mode of transport. In our understanding, there are no ordinary reserved berths in such trains, but there are carriages in which seating chairs are provided, which can be laid out almost horizontally, and on them it will turn out to have a good sleep on the way. As a rule, such places are equipped with folding tables, and the distance between the rows of chairs is quite enough so that the legs do not rest on anything (or anyone).
Only compartment cars are equipped with full-fledged shelves, the trip in which is several times higher than the cost of the flight.
8. Canada
Sleeping cars in Canada don't even try to compete with airline charter flights and comfortable buses. As such, there is no reserved seat space in the carriages, but long-distance trains have rather comfortable compartments designed for 2-4 people.
These wagons have side shelves that fold into very comfortable couches at night.
A distinctive feature of Canadian trains is the presence of common living rooms, where you can spend time in a friendly atmosphere with other travelers, treating yourself to free fruits and cookies.
Modern engineers and designers promise that most modifications of sleeping cars will cease to run on the railways of the world, because they will be replaced by completely new rolling stock. On the most modern and incredible train concepts that will soon surprise passengers, you will learn from the following overview.