For most passengers, the subway is simply a way to move quickly from one point in the city to another. We usually walk through the door, take a free seat at the handrail or sit in the seat, rarely thinking about what is driving us underground. However, the world of railway transport, even on the scale of a single station, is full of engineering nuances and historical features. The concept of “metro car” combines many different modifications, each of which has its own unique designation, technical characteristics and history of creation.
If you’ve ever wondered why some trains have doors that open automatically and others that need to be pushed with your shoulder, or why new trains are so quiet and old trains rattle at the joints, the answer lies in their type. Classification of rolling stock The metro is a complex system that takes into account the dimensions of the tunnels, the voltage in the contact network, the control system and even the era when the depot was built. Knowing these differences helps not only to better navigate the transport infrastructure, but also to understand the logic of urban development.
In this article, we will discuss how to name different types of cars, how they differ from each other and which of them can be found on the lines right now. You will learn why some models are called “boats”, and others – “numbered”, and what is the fundamental difference between the head and intermediate car. It is a journey into the world of technical aesthetics and transport logistics.
Main classification: types A, B, B, G
Historically, the designation of subway cars in Russia and CIS countries is based on the letters of the alphabet. The first mass models were cars of the type AndThe tunnels began to ply through Moscow tunnels in the 1930s. They had a wooden body frame and metal sheathing, making them relatively lightweight but less durable compared to modern counterparts. These retro-components have long been used in regular transportation, giving way to more advanced models.
They were replaced by type cars. BBIt became a symbol of the post-war metro. They are often called numbered because they have numbers (e.g. B-1, B-2). The main difference was the all-metal body design, which significantly increased fire safety and strength. Technical specifications These vehicles allowed for higher speeds, although passenger comfort was still secondary to reliability.
Evolution has led to the emergence of types. V and G.. Type B cars were the first to introduce electric doors with pneumatic drive, saving passengers from having to manually open the doors at each stop. The Type G was a transitional stage to modern standards, with the introduction of new traction engine control systems. It is important to note that the dimensions of these cars were unified, which allowed the use of the same tunnels for different generations of equipment.
⚠️ Note: Numbering and lettering may vary depending on the city. For example, in St. Petersburg and Moscow, the classification has its own historical features associated with different years of the launch of the first lines and equipment suppliers.
The differences between the types are not only in appearance, but also in the management system. If the models required the driver to switch engine modes, then later versions received automated systems. This allowed to reduce the acceleration and braking time, increasing the carrying capacity of the line. For the passenger, the difference is felt in the smoothness of the ride: the old cars twitch at the start, the new ones move almost imperceptibly.
The era of the Soviet standard: cars of the type E and their modifications
The most massive and recognizable type in the history of domestic metro construction is rightfully considered to be cars of the type E. They are associated with many with the classical image of the Soviet metro: rounded shapes, a characteristic clanging on turns and a specific smell of ozone from electricity. These compounds began to be produced in the 1960s and were produced in huge numbers, being supplied not only to the cities of the USSR, but also exported to socialist countries such as the Czech Republic and Hungary.
The main feature of the type E was the ability to work on the system of many units (MU). This means that several cars are clutched into a single section, and they are controlled by one driver. Management system It became more reliable and easy to maintain, which was critical for the round-the-clock operation of the subway. Modifications of the E type (Em, Hedgehog, Em-508) differed in interior details, the shape of the frontal part and the type of engines used.
Many passengers still ride on upgraded versions of these cars, known as the "Space" cars. E-508. or 81-717/714 (which will be discussed below). Their resource is so large that with timely replacement of nodes, they can serve for decades. However, noise, vibration and lack of air conditioning make them less comfortable compared to modern counterparts.
Interestingly, it was on the basis of the type E that the first cars with a stainless steel body were created, which eliminated the need to paint the exterior and fight corrosion. This solution has become the standard for all subsequent rolling stock. The durability of such bodies allows them to operate for more than 30 years without major repairs of load-bearing structures.
Modern Classics: Series 81-717/714 "Number"
When people talk about “numbered” cars in the context of modern metro (especially in Moscow and St. Petersburg), they most often mean a series of cars. 81-717/714. It is a deep E-type upgrade that has been produced and operated since the 1970s to the present. The numbers in the name indicate a modification: 717 - head car (with a driver's cab), 714 - intermediate (without a cab). It is from them that the usual five- or eight-car trains are formed.
Visually, they are easy to recognize by the straight, "cut" shape of the frontal part, for which they were nicknamed "boats" or "aquariums" (because of the large windshields). Inside, they can vary greatly depending on the year of release and upgrades (KVR - overhaul). In the old versions, the seats are located along the walls (benches), in the new ones there can be transverse “bathroom seats” or a combined version.
The key advantage of this series is high maintenance and unification. Dozens of depots throughout the post-Soviet space are sharpened specifically for the maintenance of this equipment. Electrical circuitry It allows you to easily connect cars of different years of release into one train, which gives flexibility in the formation of trains during rush hour.
Why is it so hot in the old cars in the summer?
The 81-717/714 series did not initially provide for a forced air conditioning system. Cooling was carried out only due to the supply ventilation, which sucks air from the tunnel. Since in the tunnel in the summer the temperature can reach +30 ° C and higher due to heat from braking trains and engine operation, hot air enters the cabin. In modern modifications, this disadvantage is eliminated by installing roof air conditioners.
Despite the age of the design, these cars continue to undergo updates. Interiors are changing, new dynamic cards, USB charging and quieter engines are being installed. However, it is fundamentally the same time-tested type that has proved its effectiveness in conditions of intensive passenger traffic.
New generation: types of "Moscow", "Neva", "Baltic"
Since 2010, an active process of renewal of the metro and regional metro fleet has begun. The Soviet classics were replaced by new generation cars, which received their own names. In Moscow, it's a series. "Moscow" (Models 81-760/761, 81-765 Moscow 2020) and in St. Petersburg - "Neva" and "Baltic.". These trains are radically different from their predecessors both externally and technically.
The first thing that catches your eye is the design. The streamlined shape of the head, tinted glass, LED lighting and wide intercar transitions (accordances), allowing passengers to freely move throughout the train. Inside, a completely different atmosphere reigns: air conditioning systems, dynamic maps with backlit stations, USB sockets for charging gadgets and soft seats with an ergonomic shape.
Technically, it's a step into the future. It applies here. traction-driveIt is quieter, more economical and does not require maintenance of collector brushes like older DC motors. Control is carried out through computerized systems, which increases safety and smoothness. The driver in such trains rather performs the functions of the operator, controlling the operation of automation.
| Characteristics | Series 81-717/714 | Series "Moscow" / "Neva" |
|---|---|---|
| Type of engine | Direct current motor | Induction motor |
| Door control | Pneumatic (compressed air) | Electric (drive) |
| Air conditioning | Absent (ventilation) | Full-fledged |
| Intercar crossing | Missing (deaf wall) | Through (accordance) |
Pay attention to the dynamic map in the new cars. It not only shows the name of the station, but also highlights the side of the door opening, as well as indicates transfers to other lines and ground transport, which is very convenient for navigation.
Environmental and energy efficiency are important aspects. New trains consume less electricity, and when braking, some of the energy is returned to the grid (recovery), helping to power other trains on the line. This reduces the burden on the city’s power grid. The noise in the cabin of such trains is much lower, which allows you to comfortably talk or listen to audio without raising your voice.
Car device: head, motor and trailer
When you understand the name of the cars, you can not ignore their functional separation within the train. A subway train is not just a collection of identical boxes. The standard scheme uses three main types of wagons, each of which performs its role. Understanding this difference helps us understand why, for example, some cars have a driver’s cabin and others do not.
Headcar (Denoted by the letter "G" or the index 717 in the old series) is always on the edges of the lineup. This is where the driver’s cabin and the main equipment of the train control are located. Depending on the formation scheme, the head cars in the composition can be two (one at each end) or more if the trains are coupled. Passengers in head cars often have the opportunity to see the tunnel through the glass of the cabin (if it is open or transparent) and feel the operation of the door opening mechanisms most clearly.
Motorcar (Denoted "M") are the muscles of the train. It is in the floor or under the body of these cars that traction engines are located that drive the wheels in motion. These cars usually have more noise and vibration, especially when accelerating. They do not have a control cabin (with rare exceptions in special modes), but are equipped with compressors to create a supply of compressed air necessary for the operation of brakes and air doors.
Trailer (Denoted "P") does not have its own engines. It moves due to the inertia and thrust of motor cars. Its main task is to increase the capacity of the composition. Trailer cars are usually quieter than anything else, as there is no engine hum, but compressors can be heard if they are located nearby. In modern schemes, the division into motor and trailer becomes less noticeable for the passenger due to improved noise insulation.
⚠️ In an emergency, evacuation through the driver's cabin is possible only from the head car. Therefore, when declaring an evacuation, passengers are advised to move to the ends of the train, where the cabins are located, unless otherwise instructed.
The combination of these types of cars in one train is called a “section”. For example, the classical scheme "G-M-P-M-G" means: head, motor, trailer, motor, head. This arrangement provides a balance between the traction characteristics and the weight of the train. Engineers carefully calculate the mass distribution so that the wheels do not stall at start and brake effectively.
Features of operation and interesting facts
The life of a subway car is not limited to the transportation of people. Every night, when the subway is closed to passengers, intensive work begins on the maintenance of rolling stock. The cars are driven into the depot, where they are inspected, washed and repaired. Body resource Modern cars are designed for 30-40 years of service, but after 15-20 years they are necessarily overhauled, during which the internal equipment is completely changed, and the body is restored to factory standards.
Interestingly, the gauge width in the metro (1520 mm) coincides with the gauge width on conventional Russian railways. Theoretically, a conventional train could travel through the subway tunnels if the size (height and width) allowed. However, the voltage in the metro contact network (825 Volts) differs from the railway one (3,000 Volts), and the size of the metro cars is already enough to fit into the round tunnels. Therefore, the exchange of rolling stock between the metro and Russian Railways is impossible without a serious alteration.
☑️ Signs of a new generation car
There are also special types of cars that passengers rarely see. It's defectoscopes (check the rails for cracks), track-measuring (Control the geometry of the path) and electric locomotives for the removal of defective compounds. They may look like ordinary cars, but inside are stuffed with sophisticated measuring equipment. Sometimes such “technical” trains can be seen on the next track while you are riding in a regular passenger train.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that the development of the metro does not stand still. Trains with artificial intelligence are already being tested, which are able to independently choose the optimal mode of movement, saving energy. The future is for fully automated lines, where the role of a person will be reduced to control, and comfort and safety will take to a new level. But even the most modern "Moscow" or "Baltic" - are the direct heirs of those first cars of the type A, which laid the foundation of the underground transport system.
Modern subway cars are distinguished not only by design, but also by a fundamentally different traction system (asynchronous), which makes them quieter, more economical and more comfortable for passengers.
Why can’t you smoke on the subway, even e-cigarettes?
Smoking in the subway is prohibited by law and by the rules of use. Smoke from conventional and e-cigarettes enters the ventilation system, which circulates air throughout the tunnel and station. This could trigger a false alarm, leading to trains stopping and thousands of people being evacuated. In addition, the enclosed space contributes to the rapid spread of odor and harmful substances.
What to do if an object falls in the way?
It is strictly forbidden to jump on the way or try to get an object yourself. This is deadly and can lead to electric shock or train collision. It is necessary to immediately approach the station duty officer (at the end of the platform) or any employee of the subway in uniform. They will contact the driver and dispatcher to safely remove the item. If the train is arriving, move past the yellow line.
Is it true that there are "bunkers" in the subway?
Many stations of the Moscow and St. Petersburg metro, built in Soviet times, were really designed with the use of civil defense shelters. There are hermodvers, emergency exits, air filtration systems and storage facilities for water and food. However, at normal times, these facilities are mothballed and not accessible to passengers.