Exercise 4. Answer the following questions.
1. What does LIREX represent? 2. What gives you the possibility to enter the train easily? 3. Is it a train for night service? 4. What creates a sense of well-being? 5. What can you tell about the electronic equipment? Is it an ordinary one? 6. What does the low floor level require? 7. What does the number of seats depend on? Describe the seating area. 8. Do they still use the system of separated classes? What have they substituted it by? 9. What are the ‘calm zones’? 10. Can the passengers have a snack during their trip? 11. What is the entertaining area? 12. Is there any special room for wheel-chairs, perambulator or bicycles?
Exercise 5. Explain in your own words. What does it mean?
An extraordinary train, to thrill experts, a synthesis of technology and design, to commence from the moment, a harmonic composition, a sense of well-being, a rhythmic impression, information and communication purposes, screens incorporated into the seating, virtual victories, loud-speakers, a touch-screen monitor, surveillance cameras, writing-rest, oval shaped side panes, free-standing oval sofas, the platforms are carpeted, lounges with a corresponding range of use, ergonomically optimized control desk, peak hour traffic, snack-bar, low flow periods.
Exercise 6. Translate the dialogue. Make your own dialogues, showing the advantages of the LIREX train. Act them.
Mr. Smith is going to make a business trip. So, he is calling to the enquiry service of railway station to get some information about a train where he can both work and have rest. He is spearing with enquiry service clerk.
- Good afternoon!
- Добрий день! Довідкова. Чим можу допомогти?
- I’m going to make a business trip, so I would like to know what train it would be better to travel by.
- Це буде довга подорож, чи місцева?
- Local.
- Добре, пане. У такому випадку, LIREX буде ідеальним для вас.
- LIREX? I have never heard about this train! Why is it ideal?
- Це новий поїзд, який відповідає стандартам комфорту, інформації та комунікації для місцевого сполучення. Спеціально для бізнесменів, у передній та задній частині поїзду є, так-звані, «затишні зони», які дають можливість працювати з документами.
- Great! But if I want to take my family with me? Won’t the trip be boring for them?
- Звісно ні, пане! Пасажири можуть слухати музику, дивитись відео програми. Діти можуть грати у відео ігри. Також, у поїзді є розважальна зона, де пасажири можуть розважатися, дивлячись відео кліпи, новини, рекламу та іншу інформацію на широких екранах.
- Unbelievable! I’ll, undoubtedly, travel by this train!
- Добре, пане. До речі, ви зможете купувати білети у поїзді (на борту поїзда) у білетних центрах. Доброї подорожі!
- Thank you very much. Good bye!
Exercise 7. Project.
a) Advertise the LIREX train. Be ready to answer your opponents.
b) Create your own concept train for local transportations.
PART II
Round the world: recent innovations in passenger car designing.
Germany
The first generation of ICE trains has been in service for 15 years, and now German Rail (DB) is subjecting the fleet to a major modernization. The fleet is currently used for the most part on the busy Hamburg – Frankfurt – Munich/Basle, Hamburg – Würzburg – Munich, and Hamburg – Ruhr Area – Frankfurt – Nuremberg lines.
The aim of the redesign scheme is modernization of ICE 1 economically to ensure that trains that always have been dependable and with high availability can continue to be run for years to come.
But before this vehicle structures and their principal components have been technically examined. Their technical condition was assessed during inspections and test-rig1 trials, areas on the car bodies that are exposed to high mechanical forces were uncovered and inspected.
The power car2 bogie frames are being replaced by an optimized version owing to the weakness. The new motor bogie frame has been proven in field trials and endurance testing3. Meanwhile, exhaustive examinations of technical components have shown which parts can be reconditioned and which need replacing.
Most revolutionary of all was the train innovative design with its many special features for passengers. Myriad features such as spacious single seats with adjustable4 backrests and sitting depth, a restaurant boasting the latest galley5 technology, buffet (Bistro) bars, luggage lockers6, controlled emission toilets, toilets for disabled, conference rooms and cardphones in first and second class soon become the collective trademark for the steadily growing fleet of ICE trains and hence for long – distance travel with GB in general.
A complete ICE 1 train comprises two power cars and 12 trailers7. ICE 1’s running and breaking systems were originally approved for speeds up to 250 km/h, and subsequently for 280 km/h. It sets new standards regarding communication facilities – now they meet passengers’ aspirations in today’s age of laptop computers and mobile phones. At-seat sockets, leading-edge8 displays for passenger information, and electronic seat reservations are the technical service standards that customers will find in the modernized ICE 1.
The project is also focusing on fundamentally remodelling passenger accommodation areas. The ergonomic seats are particularly distinctive with leather upholstery in first class and velvet in second class. They also have adjustable backrests and sitting depths as well as folding armrests, folding tables in the backrest in front (where applicable) and foldway tables groups of facing seats.
Due to the new seats being significantly slimmer and hence taking up less space and due to the AIRail9 compartments, luggage lockers and phone booths having been scaled back. So it is now possible to significantly adopt the layout and increase the number of seats by 60 without impairing seating comfort.
Panelling on walls, partitions and ceilings are being reconditioned or renewed whilst flooring and sunblinds are being replaced with new materials. An additional wheelchair position is envisaged10 in the service car11, while the conference room is being converted into a multifunction compartment. The conductor’s compartment will likewise sport a fresh new look. There will be an extra work position in the catering section12. A staff cloakroom13 and a coolable trolley storage point will be completely new features.