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TEXT 3 MOSCOW UNDERGROUND

For the first time the idea of building the underground railway in Moscow was discussed before

the revolution. But the construction of the first section (from Sokolniki to Central Park) was

initiated only in 1932. The length of this line was 11 kilometers. The construction lasted 3 years and it was called the record period of time by the world press. The Russian engineers carefully studied the existing underground systems abroad before working out their own project, which represents a significant improvement on the London system.

The engineering difficulties were great mainly because much of the soil was composed of

running sand1. Fortunately most of the running sand lay close to the surface, therefore it was found possible to use out-and-cover method of construction under many streets. But in the center of the city where the line is 100 ft or more deep, the construction of tunnels was necessary.

The Moscow Underground consists of a circle line, which runs round the city center, several

radial lines crossing the city and connecting with each other and the lines running to the countryside.

Some constructional work is still going on. Now the length of the underground lines reaches about 300 km.

At present the Moscow Metro handles more than 5 million passengers each day. During peak

hours trains run at a speed of 90 km per hour with the intervals of about 80 seconds. One train takes up to 1,500 passengers. For greater safety of travel all trains are inspected every 6-9 hours of running. Being in operation for about 13 hours daily each metro train covers the distance equal to that from Moscow to St.Petersburg. The trains servicing the Underground are supplied with low voltage direct current. The current is obtained from the third rail by special devices that are mounted Mbeneath the motor coaches. Rolling stock is completely replaced approximately once every four years.

The Moscow Metro can compete with the underground railways in any of the European capitals

in level of automation. At present experiments are being conducted with an “automatic driver”, i.e. with computer-controlled trains. The computer devices will help to relieve the nervous strain on the drivers and make it possible to increase the cruising speed2 of trains even more. These automatic devices have already been tested over the Circle Route by way of experiment. The Moscow Metro is justly famous for clean and attractive stations and for good service of riders at rather low fares.

Notes:

1) running sand – сыпучий песок, плывун

2) cruising speed – эксплуатационная скорость

Дата добавления: 2017-02-01