A train trip

Exercise 9. Read the dialogue and

a) pick out the vocabulary pertaining to types of trains and train accomodation;

b) describe the procedure of reserved booking.

Richard and Louise Miller live in Chicago. They're planning to take a trip to California. If they went by plane, they could fly from Chicago to Los Angeles in about four hours. But they've decided this time to take the train rather than fly. They've just come home from work at the end of the day and are studying the Amtrak (the national railroad system of the United States) time-table spread on the table.

Richard: Well, let's take a look. Let's see ... here it is: Chicago to Kansas City and Los Angeles. And there's another route that goes through Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas. It seems 3 trains leave Chicago daily. Hmm ... I wonder which would be better. The two morning trains are through trains and the afternoon is a slow train with sleeping carriage accommodation.

Louise: The afternoon one won’t do because that means changing. Are the morning trains expresses?

Richard: (consulting the time-table) The ten-fifteen is an express with first- and second-class sleepers only and the eleven-twenty-three train is a fast train with third-class accommodation as well.

Louise: Is it a third-class sleeper or a day coach (carriage with sitting facilities only)? And are there carriages for non-smokers?

Richard:This train has sleeping accommodation only. As to non-smoking compartments, I’ll have to find out.

Louise: I think it would be most convenient to leave by express on Saturday. That leaves us three days to book seats.

Richard: Then I’d better phone the Chicago Station Inquiry Office and find out about tickets.

Louise: But why phone the Inquiry Office? Ring up the Booking Office. You know it’s possible to book by phone.

Richard: Hello, is that the booking office? I want two second-class sleepers on the Los Angeles express on Saturday.

Booking Clerk. I'm sorry, but we're all booked up for Saturday. I can let you have a separate compartment in a first-class sleeper on Sunday, if you wish.

Richard: No, that won't do. What have you got on the eleven-twenty-three on Saturday? That's a fast train, isn't it?

B.C. Yes, it is. Let me see, I have two second-class sleepers in different compartments - one upper and one lower berth—but I can let you have two first-class sleepers together if you'd like.

Richard: Is there any hope of getting tickets for second-class sleepers if bookings are cancelled?

B.C. Naturally, just before the time of departure.

Richard: Good, I'll take two first-class sleepers for the time being then. B.C. Will you call for the tickets yourself or shall I have them delivered?

Richard: I'll pick them up myself. How can I find you?

B.C. We're in the main hall. Your tickets will be at window number seven. There will be an extra charge of seven dollars per ticket. That covers insurance and commission. We also have a return-ticket service on long distance trains. You can order a return-ticket too for any date within 30 days.

Richard: We're not sure when we'll be returning. I expect we'll be returning by plane, anyway.

B.C. Next time will you make your bookings through the Central Travel Agency. They handle orders for railway, plane, boat and bus tickets.

Richard: Thank you. We'll do that next time.

Exercise 10. Read this short article about the impact of electronics on travel. Are the innovations described a good thing, in your opinion?

BOOKED FOR GHOST TRAIN

French train passengers thought they had seen it all: reservations for the wrong train, tickets issued at the wrong price, seats double-booked or not booked at all.

Then this weekend Socrates, the country's computer rail booking system, surpassed even its own unenviable record for goof-ups and electronic gaffes. It booked up a train that did not exist.

The excessively complicated Socrates system has prompted staff strikes, passenger protests, jokes and the odd law suit. During the summer one Paris commuter was inadvertently charged the equivalent of a month's salary for a one-way journey to the suburbs. On another occasion, a peak service high-speed train left Paris with just four passengers on board because Socrates had said that the service was booked out.

Exercise 11. Read the article and retell it.

THE TRAIN NOT STOPPING AT PLATFORM ONE...

British Rail passengers from London to Oxford had an unscheduled detour via Swindon after a train driver forgot to stop at Didcot.

People getting ready to change for a connecting train to Oxford on Saturday evening heard the guard announce Didcot on the train intercom, only to see the station flash past them.

The 30 Oxford-bound passengers eventually reached journey's end 45 minutes late, after getting a train back from Swindon to Didcot to catch another local train home.

Mrs Jean Robinson, an Oxford health expert who was one of the passengers affected, said they had been offered no explanation or apology for what happened.

'It was fortunate the train was one that stopped at Swindon otherwise we'd have gone to Bristol,' she said.

'When we got out at Swindon there was no one to tell us anything and we couldn't find anyone in charge.'

A British Rail spokesman said this week that the driver had simply forgotten to stop at Didcot. 'It's an error which is regretted,' he said.

Exercise 12. Fill in the gaps with the prepositions from the list below.

On at with from over up by

BUYING YOUR RAIL TICKET

You can buy a wide range of rail tickets at stations _____ ticket offices throughout Great Britain, _____ telephone (tickets can be posted to you or in some cases you can pick them _____ at your departure station),_____ rail-appointed travel agents or _____ the Internet. If you join a train at an unstaffed station, you should purchase a ticket _____ self-service ticket machines, if provided. If this is not possible, you should purchase your ticket _____ the train.

Exercise 13. Some of the most obvious differences between American and British English are in vocabulary related to transport, or, as Americans would say, transportation. Match a word on the left with the corresponding word on the right and say which word in the pair is British English.

railway

engineer

guard

timetable

baggage car

railway station

ticket office

baggage

cart

single ticket

round-trip ticket

carriage

café car

terminus

sleeping car

hand luggage

freight train

conductor

buffet car

engine driver

one-way ticket

return ticket

carry-on luggage

trolley

pullman

railroad

car

goods train

terminal

luggage

schedule

luggage van

train station

booking office

Note that the terms one-way and round-trip are sometimes used in Britain, but they are not as common as single and return.

Exercise 14. Тranslate into Engish.

1. Скажите, пожалуйста, где я могу заказать билеты на Киев? — Во втором окне.

2. Сколько стоит билет от Саратова до Москвы?

3. Когда отходит последний поезд на Ярославль?

4. Когда мы прибываем в Caнкт-Петербург?

5. Сколько стоит место в купейном вагоне до Киева в скором поезде?

6. Я заказал одно верхнее и одно нижнее место в плацкартном вагоне на завтрашний поезд, который отходит в 7.00 утра. Это пассажирский поезд только с плацкартными вагонами.

7. Вы не знаете, на Рижском вокзале прини­мают предварительные заказы на билеты по телефону?

8. Если вы поедете в Баку через Астрахань, у вас будет две пересадки.

9. Купите мне, пожалуйста, расписание.

10. К сожалению, нам придется аннулировать предварительный заказ на билеты. Это можно сделать по телефону.

Exercise 15. Read and retell the text.

TRAIN FARES

There is one big problem which deters many people from using trains in Britain: the price. British trains are very expensive to travel on, at least if you do not know how to get the best deals. If you simply go into a station, buy a ticket and get on the train, you may end up paying a small fortune. To avoid a nasty shock, there are two secrets: one, get a full list of all the special types of tickets available; and two, book in advance. In addition to the normal single/return fares, certain tickets can be bought at reduced rates. As an example, in 1999 the full price of a London to Manchester return ticket was £119; a Super Saver ticket, which cannot be used in the rush hour, was £48; and a Virgin Value ticket, which has to be booked a minimum of three days in advance, was only £19 -saving exactly £100. If you are travelling from London, there is one other useful piece of advice: make sure you go to the right station, as there are seven major and many smaller ones!

Overseas visitors are entitled to one of the best rail travel bargains anywhere - the Britrail Pass. It gives unlimited travel throughout Britain for 8, 15, 22 days or 1 month (7, 14, 21 days or 1 month in North America). Get one from Britrail Travel International Offices in North America or from local travel agents or major railway stations in Europe. Visitors from the Continent can also buy a Britrail Seapass. This covers all the facilities offered above, plus the return sea journey across the Channel. Remember, these passes are not sold in Britain and must be bought before you leave your own country.

Exercise 16. Read the text and describe the difference between first and second class options on trains.

FIRST-CLASS OR SECOND-CLASS?

The class of travel you choose depends on your budget and personal preferences. On most trains you have the choice between first or second (economy) class. First-class is generally quieter and roomier, but it can be up to 50% more expensive than second class. There are usually fewer seats per car/compartment in first class, and more space for luggage than second-class. On some trains, a meal will be included in the price of a first-class ticket.

It is important that you understand the different options on trains, and which ones are appropriate for each leg of your trip.

On Day Trains

Day trains will have one or both of the following seating arrangements:

Coach car seating: This means the car is open with a center aisle and seats on either side. In first-class, seats are wider and there are usually two seats on one side of the aisle, and a single seat on the other, providing optimum comfort. In second-class, there are usually two seats on either side of the aisle.

Coach car accommodates its each passenger with a reclining seat, fold-down tray for snacks or paperwork, and an overhead reading light. There's room for baggage in overhead racks, two restrooms at one end of the car.

Compartment seating: The car is separated into enclosed cabins, which open to a corridor along one side of the car. In first-class, cabins can accommodate up to six passengers, second-class cabins have a capacity of up to eight.

On Night Trains

Night trains are for overnight travel.

Sleepers: This type of accommodation is the most comfortable way to travel on night trains. First-class accommodates one or two people. A second-class compartment accommodates up to four people and normally consists of 2 upper and 2 lower sleeping berths, or bunks. Couples, families and travellers of the same sex can share a sleeper.

An attendant is available and on call 24-hours a day to help with luggage, sleeping room preparations, wake up calls and other needs that passengers may have during their trip. Amenities include a washbasin, closet, and a lock on the door.

Couchettes: These are the simplest of the overnight accommodation. They are open bunks in a compartment, each with a pillow and blanket. Usually located in second-class, they accommodate up to six people. There is no distinction by sex, so you should expect to sleep in your daytime clothes. Washrooms are provided at the end of each car.

Exercise 17. Translate into Russian.

BAGGAGE RULES

Amtrak trains have limited space on board, therefore, limits to carry-on luggage are being implemented nationwide. These limits will ensure that excess luggage does not block aisles, vestibules in a manner that would otherwise inconvenience passengers.

Carry-on luggage is now limited to two pieces per passenger, not including items such as purses or laptops. Each piece must be visibly tagged with the name and address of the passenger.

Carry-on luggage of any type will be permitted on-board unless it exceeds 50 lbs./23 kg in weight.

Ski equipment, snowboards, golf clubs and bicycles may not be transported in the vestibule of any car. Such items may only be handled as checked baggage on Amtrak trains.

Amtrak offers checked baggage service at many stations.

Exercise 18. Supply suitable prepositions wherever necessary:

1. The "Red Arrow" is an express train—sleeping car accommodation only.

2. If one goes to Yakutsk via Irkutsk—railway one has to change there—a river boat.

3. The train— Warsaw is— platform 1—track 2.

4. It is most convenient to reach—Vladivostok—Moscow—express if you don't like flying.

5. Is accommodation—south-bound trains difficult to get—winter?

6. It was impossible to book—this train as all accommoda­tion was reserved.

7. One can book—any train—window num­ber seven—the main hall—the station.

8. Our train leaves— eight forty-five—platform 1 track 2.

9. There are no day coaches—long distance trains in Russia.

10. I rang—the Inquiry office to find—whether it was possible to book—the south-bound trains—phone.

11. I want two first-class sleepers—the "Red Arrow"—Monday—a separate compartment.

12. If one wants to have the tickets delivered—home there is an extra charge—20 rubles—ticket.

13. We'll be—in a minute. Time to get on the train and be quick—it.

14. I watched the incoming trains pull—slowly and the outgoing trains pull— picking up speed. There was no end to them it seemed.

15. They left—the dot. Hope they run—time all along the route and nothing delays them.

16. I have not got much luggage—me, only a hand-bag and an umbrella.

17. I showed my ticket—the ticket-collector.

18. The train is approaching—Moscow.

Exercise 19. Use topical vocabulary to render the text in English.

МЕЖДУНАРОДНЫЕ ВАГОНЫ СТАНУТ МЯГЧЕ

К сезону летних пассажирских перевозок московские железнодорожники намерены обновить все СВ-вагоны в международных поездах. Как заявил на прошлой неделе представитель пресс-службы Московской железной дороги, в окнах поездов буду установлены стеклопакеты, снабженные автоматическими шторами со светозащитной пленкой, а коридоры вагонов будут оборудованы электронными информационными табло.

Новые купе будут легко трансформироваться из трехместных в одноместные и двухместные, а верхние полки смогут опускаться, превращаясь в удобные спинки сидений. Возле окна в СВ-вагоне будет расположено мягкое кресло с откидным сиденьем, под которым разместится холодильник. Также в купе обязательно будет присутствовать откидной столик, а под ним умывальник с горячей и холодной водой. Найдется место и встроенным шкафам для одежды, а также для душевых кабин. Как ожидается, новые вагоны будут отвечать самым строгим международным санитарным и экологическим требованиям.

Exercise 20. Describe:

a compartment of a sleeping carriage; a commuter train carriage,

a coach car, a couchette

Exercise 21. Complete the following sentences using topical vocabulary. Try to think of as many variants as possible.

1. I consulted the time-table of the Kiev Terminus and found out that. . . 2. As accommo­dation for a trip to Helsinki on boat is impossible to get we shall have to. . . 3. My brother buys a season ticket as he . . . 4. We have so much luggage. The rack really won't hold it. We shall have to. . . . 5. Where is the left luggage office here, I wonder. I want to. . . . 6. Passenger trains are very rarely late nowadays but yesterday ... .7. We had to leave Mos­cow by a slow train because. . . . 8. My sister came to Moscow, yesterday. She left her luggage at. . . . So she and I will have to call back there to. ... 9. While at a big railway station one can watch the incoming and outgoing trains. . . . 10. I want my trunk to go through on the same train as. . . .

Discussion points.

1. Is booking a railway ticket difficult? On what does it depend?

2. What do you do if there's no direct train to your destination?

3. What's the procedure for changing trains?

4. Is a break of journey allowed en route?

5. For how many days are railway tickets valid?

6. Do you usually get a single or a return ticket? Are return tickets cheaper?

7. Have you ever found yourself on the wrong train? What happened?

8. What do you do when you miss your long distance train? Have you ever experienced that?

9. Some people prefer to travel light. Do you?

10. Some people find it rather difficult to pack things. Do you?

11. What do you do if you have too much luggage?

12. Do you use the left-luggage office at the railway station?

13. What are the sleeping facilities for those who travel by train?