Travelling by Train
The first railway in our country was opened in 1837 and since that time people have covered millions of kilometers travelling from one part of the country to another by train.
Trains carry people in passenger trains, goods are carried in goods trains and mail trains carry passengers and mail. In Britain and America there are also special coaches attached to some trains, called Travelling Post Offices.
Long-distance trains are fast trains. Local trains make the stops, and you can get on or off a train at a very small station, even if it is only a platform. If you are going to a distant place, a sleeping compartment is very comfortable, but local trains have carriages with wooden seats as passengers make only short trips.
It is obvious that from time to time one should leave the place he likes or works in for a while to change the scenery because one does get tired of the same surroundings and daily routine. Hence some relaxation is essential to restore your mental and physical resources. And the best way of relaxation is to go to a place where you have never been before. And it is by means of travelling that you get to that place.
There is no doubt that modern life is impossible without travelling. To understand how true it is, you’ve got to a railway station, a sea or a river port or an airport. There you are most likely to see hundreds of people hurrying to board a train, a ship or a plane.
To be on the safe side and to spare yourself the trouble of standing long hours in a queue, you’d better book tickets in advance. Before getting off you make your preparations; you visit your relatives and friends and settle your business. On the eve of your departure you pack your luggage, and when the day of your departure comes you call a taxi and go to the railway station.
When the loudspeaker announces that your train is in, the passengers are asked to take their seats. The carriage and compartment are appointed in your ticket, and you find them easily. And now it is time for you to find your berth. It may be a lower berth, which is more convenient, or an upper one, a corner seat or a seat facing the engine or back to engine one. After finding your seat you put your luggage into a special box under the lower berth. Soon the train starts off. You sit in a cozy compartment and marvel at the country you are travelling through. It’s much more convenient to travel by express trains for it takes you less time to get to your destination.
There is no denying the fact that travelling by train is slower than by plane, but it has its advantages. Modern trains have very comfortable seats in all passenger carriages and there are sleeping-cars and dining-cars that makes even the longest journey enjoyable.
Word List:
mail – почта
coach – экипаж, пассажирский вагон, почтовый вагон
distant – дальний, далекий
compartment – купе, отделение
carriage – пассажирский вагон
wooden seat – деревянное сидение
obvious – явный, очевидный, ясный
from time to time – время от времени
to change the scenery – поменять пейзаж (обстановку)
surroundings – среда, окружение
daily routine – рутина, ежедневный ход событий
hence. – итак, отсюда
relaxation – расслабление, отдых
to be essential – быть необходимым, основным
to restore – восстанавливать
mental and physical resources – умственные и физические силы
by means of – посредством, с помощью
how true it is – насколько это верно
there is no doubt -нет сомнения
to be most likely to do something – наверняка
to hurry – спешить
to board a train – сесть на поезд
to be on the safe side – на всякий случай, чтобы не рисковать
to stand in a queue – стоять в очереди
to book tickets in advance – заказать заранее билеты
to settle one’s business – улаживать дела
on the eve of one’s departure – накануне отъезда
to call a taxi – вызвать такси
to pack one’s luggage – упаковывать багаж
loudspeaker – громкоговоритель
to announce – объявлять
to take one’s seat – занимать место
berth – спальное место
to marvel at – восторгаться, любоваться
to get to one’s destination – добраться до места назначения
advantage – преимущество
sleeping-car – спальный вагон
dining-car – вагон-ресторан
enjoyable – приятный
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