The Russian Train

By Michael Martin

I thought that I should be the one to write about the “Russian Train” topic, because even though we all went to Moscow on an overnight train from Saint Petersburg, I was the only one also riding back to Saint Petersburg on a train, but this time, during the day. We did not talk much about trains during the course or over the trip, but still, I think that trains are interesting. We have trains in America of course, but I do not think that most people use them that much or think about them that much. I mean, people use the trains in America, but I think that they are a much smaller part of the story of how people get around there. We have a pretty good interstate road system that people use to drive themselves from one part of the country to another. Then of course there are planes which is how most people in America go from one part of the country to another.

In Russia, however, it is often cheaper and easier to go by train. For one thing, in the big cities like Saint Petersburg and Moscow at least, a lot of people do not have cars. Public transportation is good enough, and the roads are bad enough, that it just does not make any sense for most people to even own a car. So they are not driving between the cities so that they can bring their cars with them, like many people do in America. There is not a lot of difference in price between a plane ticket and a train ticket, but the train is the much more comfortable method of travel. The train may rock a bit, but so do planes and there is no turbulence on a train. There is also no ear popping from quick pressure changes. The overnight trains also have the added benefit of being able to lay down and get some proper sleep (depending on how loudly your cabin mates snore, sorry guys!), which can also be seen as saving one night’s accommodation. The train may take longer than a plane, but if you consider having to get to the airport early, checking in, possible delays, and this sort of thing, you will that the time basically evens out.

I found this website, https://www.seat61.com/Russia-trains.htm. According to its guide to “Moscow to Saint Petersburg by train,” Moscow to St Petersburg is the most popular route in Russia. Well we did the opposite, Saint Petersburg to Moscow. Probably still pretty popular. The beds and the dining car were a nice change of pace from the cramped seats of airplanes, or the huddled masses of people, not all of whom bathe on a regular basis, of the city metros. Speaking of bathing, the train had showers! I did not use it because it felt like too much of a hassle right before we were all about to walk around outside all day, but it is nice to have the option.

There were the other trains too, of course. First there was the trip to Masha’s dacha. This train was much simpler. It was not going anywhere overnight, our trip was about an hour, and it was pretty much straight to the point. The seats were not particularly comfortable, but they served their purpose, like the train itself. I was able to get a few pictures of Russian countryside. Then there was the train back to Saint Petersburg. It was somewhere between the other two in terms of comfort and general niceness. The seats were like airplane seats, but with a little more leg room. There was a bit of confusion boarding. I was told a seat number by the lady scanning passports, but someone else was in that seat. A few others were in the situation too, including an older lady who really looked like she needed to sit. We stood and waited for them to figure it out, and eventually they put us all in the next forward car, which actually looked a little bit nicer. I do not know if this disorganization is a Russian thing, or a company thing or what, but it felt a bit unprofessional. The train employees were great about it, and dealing with me not understanding them, but how do mistakes like that happen? I got a few pictures out the windows of that train also.

Some people say that riding the train in Russia is part of the “Russian experience.” I don’t know about that, but it is something a lot of Russians do, so maybe. I do not think there was anything in particular about the trains that influenced my perceptions of Russian culture. Perhaps just that it was another setting to interact with Russian people. The more I do that, the more I feel like even though there are unique aspects of Russian culture and people, just like there are with all cultures and people, they are not so very different, enigmatic, or mysterious.