Exercise 6. Translate the dialogue. Make your own dialogues, showing the advantages of the LIREX train. Act them.

Mr. Smith is going to make a business trip. So, he is calling to the enquiry service of railway station to get some information about a train where he can both work and have rest. He is spearing with enquiry service clerk.

- Good afternoon!

- Добрий день! Довідкова. Чим можу допомогти?

- I’m going to make a business trip, so I would like to know what train it would be better to travel by.

- Це буде довга подорож, чи місцева?

- Local.

- Добре, пане. У такому випадку, LIREX буде ідеальним для вас.

- LIREX? I have never heard about this train! Why is it ideal?

- Це новий поїзд, який відповідає стандартам комфорту, інформації та комунікації для місцевого сполучення. Спеціально для бізнесменів, у передній та задній частині поїзду є, так-звані, «затишні зони», які дають можливість працювати з документами.

- Great! But if I want to take my family with me? Won’t the trip be boring for them?

- Звісно ні, пане! Пасажири можуть слухати музику, дивитись відео програми. Діти можуть грати у відео ігри. Також, у поїзді є розважальна зона, де пасажири можуть розважатися, дивлячись відео кліпи, новини, рекламу та іншу інформацію на широких екранах.

- Unbelievable! I’ll, undoubtedly, travel by this train!

 

- Добре, пане. До речі, ви зможете купувати білети у поїзді (на борту поїзда) у білетних центрах. Доброї подорожі!

- Thank you very much. Good bye!

Exercise 7. Project.

a) Advertise the LIREX train. Be ready to answer your opponents.

b) Create your own concept train for local transportations.

PART II

Round the world: recent innovations in passenger car designing.

Germany

The first generation of ICE trains has been in service for 15 years, and now German Rail (DB) is subjecting the fleet to a major modernization. The fleet is currently used for the most part on the busy Hamburg – Frankfurt – Munich/Basle, Hamburg – Würzburg – Munich, and Hamburg – Ruhr Area – Frankfurt – Nuremberg lines.

The aim of the redesign scheme is modernization of ICE 1 economically to ensure that trains that always have been dependable and with high availability can continue to be run for years to come.

But before this vehicle structures and their principal components have been technically examined. Their technical condition was assessed during inspections and test - rig¹ trials, areas on the car bodies that are exposed to high mechanical forces were uncovered and inspected.

The power car² bogie frames are being replaced by an optimized version owing to the weakness. The new motor bogie frame has been proven in field trials and endurance testing³. Meanwhile, exhaustive examinations of technical components have shown which parts can be reconditioned and which need replacing.

Most revolutionary of all was the train innovative design with its many special features for passengers. Myriad features such as spacious single seats with adjustable⁴ backrests and sitting depth, a restaurant boasting the latest galley ⁵ technology, buffet (Bistro) bars, luggage lockers ⁶, controlled emission toilets, toilets for disabled, conference rooms and cardphones in first and second class soon become the collective trademark for the steadily growing fleet of ICE trains and hence for long – distance travel with GB in general.

A complete ICE 1 train comprises two power cars and 12 trailers ⁷. ICE 1’s running and breaking systems were originally approved for speeds up to 250 km/h, and subsequently for 280 km/h. It sets new standards regarding communication facilities – now they meet passengers’ aspirations in today’s age of laptop computers and mobile phones. At-seat sockets, leading - edge ⁸ displays for passenger information, and electronic seat reservations are the technical service standards that customers will find in the modernized ICE 1.

 

The project is also focusing on fundamentally remodelling passenger accommodation areas. The ergonomic seats are particularly distinctive with leather upholstery in first class and velvet in second class. They also have adjustable backrests and sitting depths as well as folding armrests, folding tables in the backrest in front (where applicable) and foldway tables groups of facing seats.

Due to the new seats being significantly slimmer and hence taking up less space and due to the AIRail ⁹ compartments, luggage lockers and phone booths having been scaled back. So it is now possible to significantly adopt the layout and increase the number of seats by 60 without impairing seating comfort.

 

Panelling on walls, partitions and ceilings are being reconditioned or renewed whilst flooring and sunblinds are being replaced with new materials. An additional wheelchair position is envisaged ¹⁰ in the service car¹¹, while the conference room is being converted into a multifunction compartment. The conductor’s compartment will likewise sport a fresh new look. There will be an extra work position in the catering section ¹². A staff cloakroom ¹³ and a coolable trolley storage point will be completely new features.

In the sphere of the train’s electrical supply, the tree-phase AC converter for the supply of power to air-conditioning system is being renewed. Sections of train-line cables are also replaced.

But modernization is being carried out in the technical sphere too, in tandem with the inspection process, with the aim of raising the availability of trains and reducing the number of faults and malfunctions.

Notes:

 

1 test-rig – дослідний стенд 2 power car – вагон-елекртостанція 3 endurance testing – випробування на міцність 4 adjustable - регульований 5 galley - кухня 6 luggage locker - багажник 7 trailer – причіпний вагон

8 leading-edge - передовий 9 AIRail – компанія, створена Люфтганзою, яка поєднала авіа- та залізничний транспорт 10 envisage - передбачати 11 service car - службовий вагон 12 catering section – ресторанна секція 13 staff cloakroom - роздягальня персоналу

 

Spain

The Spanish infrastructure authority (GIF) is constructing a 1435 mm-gauge, high-speed line between Madrid and Barcelona which will eventually be extended from Barcelona to Perpignan in France to provide a high-speed, standard gauge connection between Madrid and the European railway network. This new line is the first project of a programme to construct an extensive high-speed network in the Iberian Peninsular.

 

This line will be served by the fastest trains in the world running at 350 km/h, covering 630 km in just 2h 30min. Talgo in partnership with Bombardier Transportation is building one-half of the fleet of 32 trains which will operate at 350kmph on Madrid-Barcelona line. For Talgo it represents the latest development in the evolution of its unique passenger coach design.

Each Talgo 350 will consist of two 4MW 25kV 50Hz power cars, 20m long, 3m wide and 4m high, and up to 12 passenger coaches. Each two-axel bogie, with a 2.65m wide wheel-base and a maximum axleload of 17 tonnes, has its own, independent power unit. Each axle has a traction motor with a nominal rating of 1 MW. This gives the whole assembly ¹ great reliability in service.

The power cars are normally coupled to the coaches by Scharfenberg automatic couplers, although coupling by a UIC buffer and hook assembly is also possible. Another Scharfenberg coupling, hidden collapsible fairing ² is fitted at the front of each power car to allow two trains to operate in multiple ³.

Talgo 350 has a UIC pneumatic braking system, which acts on a high number of brake discs ⁴ capable of dissipating the large amount of energy generated in high-speed braking. Each drive shaft ⁵ in the power cars has three brake disks, two of them mounted on the wheels. The rolling axles of the coaches have another four discs, two of which are mounted on the wheels, and the other two on the axles.

All the axles have microprocessor-controlled anti wheel-slide, anti wheel-lock equipment to ensure maximum grip⁶ during acceleration and braking.

The profile of the power cars has been designed on the basis of the data obtained in wind tunnel tests to achieve the optimum aerodynamics and, at the same time, great stability in side winds.

Each power car has a single driving cab. Each cab is pressurized and protected against pressure waves which might be produced when entering and exiting tunnels or when passing other trains. It also has emergency exits on both sides.

The coaches are 3m wide, the same as power cars, but they are only 3365mm high, which is lower than the power cars. To bridge the height gap between the power cars and the coaches, the end coaches have a false roof. The floor level is 750mm above the top of the rail so that access is possible directly from the platform.

The wheel assemblies have a single wheel axle, which provides absolute dynamic stability. The wheel assemblies are shared by two adjacent coaches and are located in the space between them. This allows the coach floors to be lowered appreciably, bringing them nearer the rail with the benefit if grater stability and easier access to the coach, without intermediate steps. In addition, as the distance between axles is very great, as much as the length of a coach, damage to the track is notably reduced. Another characteristic of the axles of Talgo trains is their automatic guidance system ⁷, thanks to which, in any track layout the wheels are maintained parallel to the rails, providing safer running and producing reduced wheel/rail interaction. Finally, the coaches are coupled by a compact, articulated, automatic traction coupling which has its centre of rotation in the same transverse plane as the running axis. The wheel sets of the new Talgo 350 coaches have a novel two-stage suspension: a primary system mounted on each wheel set and a secondary, principal system of the tilting type.

A set of 12 coaches will be 200m long, with room for 318 passengers. It will consist of two Club class, three Preference class, and six Tourist class coaches. There will be a cafeteria car with an ample service area, a bar, and a saloon with high side tables. One Tourist class coach will be equipped for passengers in wheelchairs. The coaches will have panoramic windows, which will be air-tight and especially resistant to the differences in pressure produced through tunnels and when passing other trains as the air vents ⁸ to the outside will be closed in these situations. Air-conditioning equipment will be located beneath the underframe. This will enables the ceilings to be higher to give a feeling of space in the salon. Club class travellers will have individual air-conditioning diffusers. TV monitors will be installed on the ceilings of the coaches. Each seat will have a small table and a 220V 50Hz socket to feed a computer or a small appliance ⁹. There will also be audio equipment with volume and cannel selection controls. It will be possible to listen to four different music programmes and two TV sound channels by earphones.

 

Notes:

 

1 assembly – комплект, складальна одиниця, агрегат у зборі 2 hidden collapsible fairing – схований складний (телескопічний) обтічник 3 multiple – багаторазовий 4 brake disc – гальмовий диск

5 drive shaft – провідний вал 6 grip – схоплювання, стиснення, затиснення 7 guidance system - система наведення 8 air vent – повітроприймальний отвір 9 appliance – пристрій, прилад

Czech Republic

Rail service is on the increase right across Europe, and passenger expectations in the fields of comfort and quality of travelling environment are growing. The sleeper/ couchette ¹ market for overnight travel is no exception, and regular upgrading of vehicle interiors is necessary if customers are to be won and retained. It has to be remembered that many cars in service at present were built around 20 years ago, and passengers’ expectations have changed since the mid-80s.

Comfort and a welcoming ambience are all important factors. Naturally, these have to be balanced with economic aspects – such as the number of sleeping berths available within a vehicle. Great emphasis is placed on creating a welcoming environment, and above all on offering berth which provide everything one would wish for in order to enjoy a good night’s sleep. The supplier of these berth units is BORCAD cz, which enjoys an international reputation for its high quality modular units for sleeper and couchette cars.

The prototype sleeper emerged in 2000. Quality design and high comfort levels must go hand in hand in the design of both sleeping berths and seated accommodation. The BORCAD solution is a module which incorporates the compartment partition wall. The anchoring posts ², including their covers, the mechanisms for adjusting the position of the middle berth of the stack ³ of three, the three seats, and the three berths themselves. The module, in addition to being convertible into “day” and “night” configurations, also offers the option of “night” configurations for two or for three passengers.

 

For daytime travel, all three berths are folded up against the compartment wall, and locked into position. The unit of three seats can then be adjusted by means of a spring - load mechanism ⁴ which supports most of the weight of the seat unit. The latter has both fold-up arm rests adjustable head rests. Space is provided under the seating unit for bulky or heavy luggage.

An ergonomically designed adjustment mechanism effects the change from two- to three-berth configuration and vice versa. The mechanism, patented by BORCAD cz, is at present the most convenient solution available for transforming a three-berth compartment into one or two berths, while adjusting the height of the berths to offer the maximum headroom in each configuration. In both configurations the berths are secured by two-position locks, which provide added security in case of partial failure. The double locking also prevents the berths from unfolding when the compartment is arranged in daytime configuration, with the seats in use.

All materials incorporated in the sleeping berth/seats module comply with all rail safety norms, and great emphasis is placed on fire resistance. An attractive and cosy travelling environment is produced through the use of imitation leather for the compartment wall panels and for the sides of the berths, these being easily exchanged if damaged. Separate upholstery is provided for the mattresses. BORCAD is convinced that the new sleeper will find favour among even the most demanding of overnight travellers.

Notes:

 

1 couchette – спальне місце у вагоні 2 anchoring post – розпірна стійка

3 stack – комплект, блок, штабель, стелаж 4 spring - load mechanism – підпружинювальний механізм

Chicago, USA

 

The Empire builder, operated by Amtrak ¹, has received fresh new look as a part of a major initiative to improve the onboard ambience on Amtrak’s fleet of long-distance trains.

 

First-class passengers - those with sleeping accommodations, which includes dining car meal service – are now welcomed abroad with complimentary ² glass of sparkling wine or cider. They are also invited to attend onboard wine- and cheese-tasting events in the lounge car³, featuring Wisconsin and Minnesota cheeses and Washington State wines.

Several special menu items have also been created by the Amtrak culinary team to closely match the original recipes of the Great Northern Railway. At supper time, along with the delicious regular Amtrak menu items, passengers are invited to enjoy special entrées ⁴ recalling the train’s history: braised ⁵ salmon shank with horseradish⁶ and cauliflower ⁷ purée, Great Northern baked ham with sweet citrus sauce and English beefsteak pot pie with braised tomatoes and white mushrooms.

As a final touch, train attendants encourage sweet dreams by offering a bedtime treat of a freshly baked cookie or a similar goodie to premium passengers who have returned to their carriages to sleep.

Coach passengers are also enjoying a higher level of service on board the Empire Builder, with a new at-seat food and beverage service. Meanwhile, in the lounge car, an upstairs snack bar has been added to serve light food and beverages. Passengers can also choose from a wide variety of popular games, including Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, and Chutes and Ladders.

The interiors of the sleeping cars have also received extensive renovations, featuring a new blue and white colour scheme and Blossom Cherry wood grain laminates. Blue hues ⁸ also adorn ⁹ cushions, carpets and drapery. The bedrooms have newly designed and modern-looking toilet and shower units. These match the interior colour scheme and the sink vanity ¹⁰ has a solid-surface countertop. The same colour scheme provides a much brighter room the new public area toilets on the lower level of the cars. The public shower has been redesigned to better address passenger needs. The new shower has a larger changing area that includes a large seat and vanity with mirror and a seat in the shower area.

In the lounge car, one end has been changed to create improved seat groupings. These more compact seat groups have new small drink tables positioned between them. Dining tables and booths have been added to the other end. The interiors of the coach and dining cars have also been refurbished.

Notes:

 

1 Amtrak – державна залізнична компанія США 2 complimentary - привітальний 3 lounge car – вагон-люкс з відкидними сидіннями 4 entrée – головне блюдо 5 braised - тушений

6 horseradish - хрін 7 cauliflower – кольорова капуста 8 hue – відтінок, тон 9 adorn – прикрашати 10 sink vanity – раковина з туалетним столиком

 

 

Great Britain

It is claimed there are something like 2000 airliners around the world fitted with In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) systems. The airlines regard them as an important element of adding value to their service, and winning new business.

Now, rail companies are looking at following suit ¹, and equipment manufacturers are licking their lips in anticipation ² of orders. It's hardly surprising when you consider that in Britain alone, there are 2000 inter-city coaches that could be fitted with In-Train Entertainment (ITE) systems. Bring Europe into the equation, and the number of vehicles becomes truly huge.

With this potentially gigantic market firmly in mind, a new start-up company called Volo set about proving that a sophisticated ³ ITE system could fit within the constraints ⁴ of rail vehicle regulations, and would prove popular with passengers. The results from the in-service pilot are exceeding expectations.

From the start of Volo's development, the need to provide content that offers users something new was the driving force, and deals were made with television stations in Britain, as well as film studios, to ensure that the product was relevant and up-to-date. So far, there are more than 40 items on a 'menu' for passengers to choose from. This content ranges from music videos, to comedy and entertainment programmes, to full-length films not available in shops. There are also games, and a news 'ticker tape' ⁵ to keep passengers up-to-date.

 

 

Interestingly, though, while passenger surveys said that news and sport would be the main reasons for people using the system, in practice, comedy and music have proved most popular.

Another tantalising ⁶ possibility is to link the system with on-board GPS to provide a pre-recorded driver's eye view of the journey: an experience few passengers will ever have had. There could also be detailed information for visitors to stations along the route —its scope is limited only by the imagination of the train operator.

Passengers buy a scratch card for £3.50 giving them unlimited access to the choice of many services on their journey. With DVD rental prices for newly-released films standing at around the same level in Britain, there is immediate value for users. Revenue ⁷ is shared between the train operator and Volo, but looking long-term, particularly at the lucrative ⁸ first class market, it would seem sensible for train operators to look at the system being a no-cost incentive ⁹ for passengers to use their trains.

At the core of Volo's system is a high - bandwidth wireless system¹⁰ installed at depots and stations, and a powerful server on the train. This allows new content to be uploaded ¹¹ at regular intervals, preventing it becoming stale for users. The server distributes the content to the 36 touch-screen displays in the carriage according to user demands. All 76 seat locations will be fitted during a fleet fit.

Image quality on the 235mm screens is excellent, and attention was also paid to sound quality. With the ambient noises of air-conditioning, wheel, and track, the rail environment is very different to that of a car, and extensive surveys of headphones were undertaken. Fitting the computer server in the coach was a matter of replacing a luggage rack, but new seats and tables had to be sourced to handle the touch-screens.

And as well as fitting the equipment into the coach and installing more than 3km of new wiring, particular attention had to be paid to ensuring that the extra heat generated by the computer systems didn't unbalance the air-conditioning.

It is early days, but if Volo's analysis of the potential market size is correct, and if passengers warm ¹² to the system and start paying to use it, long-distance railway journeys could become far more enjoyable for passengers—and profitable for the operators too.

 

Notes:

 

1 suit - комплект 2 anticipation – очікування, передчуття 3^. sophisticated – складний, удосконалений 4 constraints – обмеження, обмежуюча умова 5 'ticker tape' – тикер – телеграфний чи електронний апарат, який оперативно видає фінансову інформацію на паперову стрічку чи на екран; вперше був використаний на біржах США у 1867 р

6 tantalizing – привабливий, провокуючий 7 revenue – дохід, виручка 8 lucrative - рентабельний 9 incentive – стимул, спонукання 10 a high - bandwidth wireless system – безпровідна система з високою пропускною спроможністю 11 to upload - пересилати 12 to warm - надихатися

Switzerland

Rail or road? The choice depends on many factors but travellers are more likely to plump for ¹ rail if the experience helps them to relax and prepare for the busy day ahead. Just like the slow-food movement has attracted many followers, 'more-frills' rail travel that enhances ² a passenger’s well-being can and will entice ³ people to take the train. But what exactly is well-being?

Passenger well-being is no enigma

First of all, well-being is a clean, spacious, comfortable seat with reasonable adjustability and an inviting texture ⁴. Second, it's a serene ⁵, subdued ⁶ in-coach atmosphere that can never be achieved with hard materials. And third, it's a visually stimulating environment that tells passengers their business is appreciated. These three elements - a soft interior orchestrated ⁷ with flair ⁸ - make even short - haul ⁹ rail travel a genuine, appealing option.

Not least due to its design teams, Switzerland's Lantal Textiles is one of the leaders in the development of complete soft interiors for rail-cars. The company serves its customers as a one-stop general contractor ¹⁰, providing not only ideas and expertise but also the products that turn visions into reality, with all of the resources needed to create charismatic interiors. In addition, the mill ¹¹ offers a vast repertoire of appealing ¹² and tasteful off - the - shelf ¹³ products from suave velvet pile ¹⁴ or flat - woven seat upholstery fabrics ¹⁵ to hard-wearing aisle ¹⁶ carpets and a broad selection of warm leathers, curtain and headrest fabrics. Moreover, the range includes wall and ceiling coverings, and textiles for the exposed sides of luggage racks.

A new upholstery fabric stops water

Lantal's latest product for the rail industry is a hard-wearing velvet seat cover with a water-repellent backing ¹⁷ film. Most rail system operators clean their seats with sprayextraction. This wet process typically reduces the life of the foam ¹⁸ core, but with Lantal's new upholstery fabric, the core is protected against the ingress of water. In similar products that incorporate a water barrier, the film is bonded to the foam core. In cases of vandalism, such constructions make it necessary to replace both the upholstery fabric and the core.

With Lantal's new design, only the fabric with the backing film needs to be replaced to restore the full integrity of the seat. Additionally, Lantal's product effectively prevents dirt and dust from reaching and eventually deteriorating the foam core. The new upholstery fabric can be produced in the customer's livery colours and signature patterns, including corporate identity elements.

Rhyme versus reason

Among many others, Lantal has successfully implemented major rail interior projects for the Swiss Federal Railways, RATP Paris, the French Railways SNCF, NS Nederlandse Spoorwegen Belgium Railway, Linzer Lokalbahn, China Rail, and Dallas People Movers.

These projects have confirmed that operators can boost ¹⁹ rail traffic with inviting interiors; however it is not always easy to reconcile bold design with the reality of wear and tear. To address both factors, Lantal recommends velvets over flat weaves for passenger seats, because they are more durable, and wool blends, because they best comply with fire behaviour standards. Many rail-car interiors are dominated by blue hues ²⁰, but brighter colours, fresher accents, and contemporary combinations are on the advance.

 

 

Notes:

 

1 to plump for – рішуче підтримувати, голосувати «за» 2 enhances – покращувати, збільшувати 3 entice – спокушати, переманювати 4 texture – фактура, тканина 5 serene – спокійний, безтурботний 6 subdued – приглушений, зм’якшений 7 to orchestrate – гармонічно сполучати 8 flair – особливий стиль, смак 9 short-haul – короткий рейс; який перевозить на короткі відстані 10 contractor – постачальник

11 mill – комбінат, фабрика 12 appealing - привабливий 13 off-the-shelf – готовий; який є у наявності 14 suave velvet pile – вишукана оксамитова ворсиста тканина 15 flat-woven fabric – тканина з нерельєфним переплетенням ниток 16 aisle - прохід 17 backing – зворотна сторона, підкладка 18 foam – пінопласт, піногума 19 boost – підтримувати, підіймати 20 hue – фарба, відтінок, колір

 

Методичні вказівки з розвитку навичок різних видів професійно орієнтованого читання за темою “Рухомий склад та спеціальна техніка залізничного транспорту (Вагони)”

для студентів 2 курсу механічного факультету

 

(англійська мова)

 

 

Відповідальний за випуск: ст.викл. Токмакова Л.І., викл. Загрійчук Л.М.

редактор

 

 

Підписано до друку

Формат папіру 60х84 1/16. Папір писальний.

Умовн.-друк.арк.. Обл.-вид.арк..

Замовлення №. Тираж 200. Ціна

Друкарня ХарДАЗТу,

310050, Харків – 50, пл. Фейєрбаха, 7