Each of us at least once in my life had heard of such an unusual attraction as the Children's Railway. Irkutsk, Ufa, Penza, Kemerovo, Krasnoyarsk and, of course, Moscow - this is not a complete list of Russian cities where you can get acquainted with this attraction.
So what's so unusual about this place? And why the flow of tourists here from year to year only increase? Are there really rides in our crazy age of computer technology that managed to conquer our grandparents in due time?
Let's try to answer all these questions. And this article is entirely aimed at introducing the reader to an amazing object called the Children's Railway (Irkutsk). Why is this city chosen as an example? The fact is that, according to many leading experts, this attraction can be considered typical for Russia in technical terms.
general information
Probably, we will not discover anything new, noting that now in the guides of a huge number of settlements in the world quite often you can find photos of the children's railway. In turn, people come to the city of Irkutsk not only for a ride. Many are interested in the technical uniqueness of this building.
Being a branch of Russian Railways, this object also has its own name - the Children's East Siberian Railway.
To date, this attraction only works in the warm season, namely from mid-May to the end of summer. The rolling stock includes three trains: Sibiryachok, Yunost, and Baikal. The total length of the ring route is just over 3 km.
Opening of the Children's Railway in Irkutsk. History
Not everyone knows that today the age of this attraction is almost 80 years. Being opened in 1937 and undergoing a series of reconstructions, now it corresponds to the most advanced technologies of the planet.
After the project was approved, it was possible to open the facility only two years later - in November 1939. Initially, the Children's Railway (Irkutsk) was three times shorter, and the first station opened on the outskirts of the city, in the village of Rabochiy.
In 1992, a decision was made to move the facility to the islands. Until 2002, miniature trains stopped at only one station - Solnechnaya, in the vicinity of which there were classrooms, a local railway museum, and a library.
A year later, two more stations appeared - Angara and Rodniki, and the Children's Railway itself (Irkutsk) was named after the honorary railwayman G.I. Tetersky, who managed the local highways from 1968 to 1979.
How to get to your destination
Actually, to do this is not so difficult as it might seem at first glance. All that a local resident or a guest of the city needs is to travel by public or private transport to the Yunost and Konny Island, located on the Angara River, in the very center of the city.
By the way, lovers of weekend walks may well go there on foot. The route does not take much time.
The educational process for children and adolescents
As soon as train traffic ends on August 31, numerous classrooms open their doors. The guys begin to learn new professions.
After 3-4 years of intensive training, you can get a specialty as a locomotive driver or station duty officer. Typically, students in grades 6-7 of local schools are accepted for study. In most cases, children from families of hereditary railway workers register for classes, but experienced instructors who regularly attend educational institutions can often interest even beginners in this direction.
After completing the training course and successfully passing the exams, each graduate receives a special certificate attesting to the appropriate qualification.
Children's Railway (Irkutsk). Terms of use and behavior
The fare is from 170 to 210 rubles and depends on the type of car. The cheapest thing is to ride in a closed, more expensive, respectively, in an open, related to a higher level of comfort.
Children under two years of age, invalids, pupils of boarding schools and participants of the Second World War can travel for free.
The management of the complex recalls that it is forbidden to litter, smoke, drink alcohol in the territory (as, incidentally, be intoxicated), spoil property, swear and use obscene language. It is highly recommended that you refrain from riding bicycles, roller skates and skateboards.
It should be remembered that you will not be allowed into the carriage with heavy video, audio and television equipment, large items, household appliances, animals and prams.
