Sights of Russia: Children's Railway (Irkutsk)

Each of us at least once in my life had to hear about such an unusual attraction, as the Children's Railway. Irkutsk, Ufa, Penza, Kemerovo, Krasnoyarsk and, of course, Moscow is not a complete list of Russian cities where you can get acquainted with this landmark.

So what's so unusual about this place? And why do tourist flows here from year to year only increase? Really, in our mad age of computer technology, there are still attractions that managed to conquer our grandmothers and grandfathers in due time?

Let's try to answer all these questions. And this article is entirely aimed at acquainting the reader with an amazing object called 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 terms of technology.

general information

Probably, we will not open anything new, noting that now in the guides of a huge number of populated areas of the world you can often see a photo of a children's railway. In the city of Irkutsk, in turn, people come not only to ride. Many are interested in the technical uniqueness of this structure.

Being a branch of JSC Russian Railways, this facility has its own name - the Children's East-Siberian Railway.

To date, this landmark works only 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.

The opening of the Children's Railway in Irkutsk. History

Not everyone knows that today the age of this landmark is almost 80 years. Being open in 1937 and having undergone a number of reconstructions, it now corresponds to the most advanced technologies of the planet.

After the project was approved, the object was opened only two years later - in November 1939. Initially, the Children's Railway (Irkutsk) was three times shorter, and the first station opened in the suburb of the city, in the village of Rabochy.

In 1992, a decision was made to move the facility to the islands. Until 2002, miniature trains stopped only at one station - Solnechnaya, in the vicinity of which there were also training classes, and a local railway museum, and a library.

A year later there were two more stations - the Angara and Rodniki, and the Children's Railway (Irkutsk) was named in honor of the honorary railwayman GI Tetersky, who ran the local highways from 1968 to 1979.

How to get to the destination

Strictly speaking, this is not so difficult as it might seem at first glance. All that is necessary for a local resident or a guest of the city is to go by public or private transport to the islands of Yunost and Konny, located on the Angara River, in the heart of the city.

By the way, lovers of walks weekend can well go there on foot. The itinerary does not take long.

Educational process for children and adolescents

As soon as the train stops on August 31, numerous classrooms open their doors. Guys begin to master new professions.

After 3-4 years of intensive training, it is possible to obtain a specialty of a locomotive driver or a station attendant at the station. Students of grades 6-7 of local schools are usually accepted for study. In most cases, children from the families of hereditary railway workers are enrolled in the class, but experienced instructors who regularly attend educational institutions are often interested in even beginners in this direction.

After the completion of the training course and the successful passing of the examinations, each graduate receives a special certificate indicating that he has been given appropriate qualifications.

Children's Railway (Irkutsk). Terms of use and behavior

The fare is from 170 to 210 rubles and depends on the type of the car. The cheapest thing to ride in a closed, expensive, respectively, in an open, related to a higher level of comfort.

Children under the age of two, disabled, pupils of boarding schools and participants of the Second World War can travel free of charge.

The management of the complex reminds that it is forbidden to litter, smoke, drink alcohol (as, indeed, to be in a state of intoxication) on territory, to spoil property, to swear and be abnormally expressed. It is strongly recommended to refrain from riding on bicycles, roller skates and skateboards.

It should be remembered that you will not be allowed into the car with heavy video, audio and television equipment, large-sized items, household appliances, animals and baby carriages.

Interesting Facts

On a small stretch of Rodniki-Solnechnaya, approximately on the middle of the walking route, you can observe the change of the train number: from 802 to 803.

It should be noted that in the afternoon the children's railway (Irkutsk), a photo of which can be seen in any atlas devoted to Russia's sights, invites young railway workers from other surrounding cities.

A huge and very modern complex of administrative and educational buildings is considered the real pride of Irkutsk DSB. By the way, it is interesting that by its size it considerably exceeds the management of the main Sakhalin railway.