1. Find the English equivalents in the text:

1. скрепления

51. рельс

52. древесина

53. бесстыковой путь, путь из сварных рельсовых путей

54. щебень

55. распределять нагрузку

56. стыковые рельс

57. свободный водоотвод

58. сплошная плита

59. затраты, стоимость

2. Read the text and say if these statemnets true (t) or false (f):

   1. Most railways with heavy traffic use continuously welded rails.

   2. A rubber pad is usually placed between the rail and the tieplate.

   3. Fasteners don`t belong to the permanent way.

   4. Softwood timber sleepers are often used where tonnage or speeds are high.

   5. The traditional method of joining the rails is to weld them together producing a jointed track.

3. Word formation. Form the adjectives from the given words using these suffixes: -ic, -al, -ous, -less, -ive:

1. In the morning they had a __________ continental breakfast. (tradition)

2.The latest ______________ research shows that our galaxy is expanding. (science)

3. She was _________ to find out what the parcel contained. (curiosity)

60. The children go to one of these ____________ schools where new educational standards has been introduced. (progress)

61. It was a ___________ night when everyone can see millions of stars in the dark sky. (cloud)

62. The room is _______________ enough to place a big Christmas tree. (space)

63. This company is offering a very ______________ salary. (attract)

4.Relative clauses. Fill in the gaps in the sentences with which, who, where, when, whose:

1. Cut spikes are large nails with an offset head ________ are used to secure rails and base plates to railroad ties in the track.

2.George Stephenson was an English engineer _________ built a successful steam locomotive “Rocket”.

3. In the 19^th century most people were afraid of railways _________ they first appeared.

4. Richard Trevithick, _______ working model of a steam locomotive was demonstrated in 1808, first attempted to use the steam engine to draw passengers and freight trains.

5. The first steam locomotive in Russia was built by the Cherepanovs ________ were talented and skilled workman of their time.

6. The place _________ the ends of the rails meet in the track is known as the rail joint.

7. The railroads have a switch ________ makes the trains pass from one track to another.

8. Russia is the country ________ the uniform gauge of 1,520 mm is adopted.

5.Discussion Corner. Choose any statement and prepare a short talk (5-7 sentences):

1. The evolution of railways

2. Track gauge

3. Switches and crossings

4. Famous civil engineers of the world

5. Railroad ecology

References:

www.wikipedia.com

UNIT 5. DOUBLE-DECK TRAIN CONCEPT

Vocabulary

bilevel/ double-deck – двухъярусный / двухэтажный

passenger capacity – вместимость пассажиров

a multiple unit – моторовагонный поезд

a gauge – ширина колеи

spacious – просторный

a berth – спальное место в вагоне

services – перевозки

a carriage building factory – вагоностроительный завод

seat-back entertainment systems – мультимедийная система в спинке кресла

wheelchair facilities – устройства для инвалидных кресел

a snackbar – бар-буфет

bulky luggage – крупногабаритный багаж

CCTV – система видеонаблюдения

The bilevel car (AE) or double-decker coach (BE) has two levels of passenger accommodation that increases passenger capacity. Bilevel trains are claimed to be more energy efficient, and may have a lower operating cost per passenger.

The height of the cars can limit their use, especially in countries with low loading gauge. In some countries such as the UK new lines are built to a larger than standard gauge to allow the use of double-deck trains in future. The high passenger capacity can create flow and problems at train stations when much larger numbers of passengers try to board or get off at the same time.

The double-deck design usually includes lowering the bottom floor to below the top level of the wheels, closer to the rails, and then adding an upper floor above. Double-deck coaches slightly differ from the standard ones, the only exception is a much lower ceiling. Because of that top shelves have become less spacious. For the same reason there are no overhead luggage shelves.

In 2012, a prototype double-decker rail carriage was made at the TVZ Tver Carriage Building Factory for the RZD Russian Railways company. This prototype carriage is a sleeping car with four-berth compartments and a total capacity of 64 passengers. Double-deckers are modern, clean and offer an amazing travel experience for a great money value. Launched in November 2013 the first Russian double-deck train became one of the most popular types of travelling between Moscow and Sochi. In February 2015 the second Russian double-deck train started running between Moscow and St.Petersburg and became a real hit. 

Transmashholding produces double-deck trainsets for inter-regional services on routes from Moscow to Samara, Voronezh, Kazan.

Each train comprises between six and 12 double-deck coaches from TMH's Tver works. According to TMH, the height of double-deck stock means there would be no roof or under-floor space for the electrical equipment needed for an electric multiple unit. The air-conditioned coaches will have three classes, business class featuring seat-back entertainment systems, standard class having a 2+2 seating arrangement and economy class 3+2. There will also be wheelchair facilities, a snackbar, space for bulky luggage and CCTV.

Answer the questions:

1. Why are bilevel trains claimed to be efficient?

2. When was the first double-deck train launched in Russia?

3. How do a double-deck coacher differ from the standard one?

4. Where are double-decker carriages manufactured in Russia?

5. What are the most popular routes for carrying out services with double-deckers?

EXERCISES: