British Railways

British Railways
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British Railways
British railway
Alternate titles: British Rail, Britrail
By The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica • Edit History
British Railways, byname British Rail, former national railway system of Great Britain, created by the Transport Act of 1947, which inaugurated public ownership of the railroads. The first railroad built in Great Britain to use steam locomotives was the Stockton and Darlington, opened in 1825. It used a steam locomotive built by George Stephenson and was practical only for hauling minerals. The Liverpool and Manchester Railway, which opened in 1830, was the first modern railroad. It was a public carrier of both passengers and freight. By 1870 Britain had about 13,500 miles (21,700 km) of railroad. At the system’s greatest extent, in 1914, there were about 20,000 miles (32,000 km) of track, run by 120 competing companies. The British government combined all these companies into four main groups in 1923 as an economy measure.
Date: 1947 - present
When World War II began in 1939, Britain’s railroads were placed under government control. The Transport Act of 1947 nationalized the railways, which were taken over by the British Transport Commission (BTC) in 1948 and given the name British Railways. The BTC divided Britain’s rail network into six (later five) regions on a geographic basis. A 1962 law replaced the BTC with the British Railways Board in 1963. The board’s management emphasized mass movement over major trunk lines and the closing of money-losing branch lines and depots.

Between 1963 and 1975 the board shortened its routes from 17,500 miles (28,000 km) to 11,000 miles (17,000 km) and cut personnel from about 475,000 to about 250,000. As part of a modernization program, steam locomotives began to be replaced by diesels in the 1950s, and this was followed in the ’60s by electrification. The board undertook track reconstruction, installed long, continuously welded rails, and introduced new signaling systems. A computerized freight service introduced in 1975 could monitor the movements of more than 200,000 freight cars. In 1966–67 the west-coast line from London to Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool was electrified, and in the early 1970s electrification was extended to Glasgow. Track improvements and the High Speed Train (InterCity 125), a diesel train operating at speeds up to 125 miles per hour (200 km per hour), cut travel times between Britain’s major cities.

The British government restructured British Rail in 1993 prior to privatizing the company. Passenger traffic and freight traffic were divided into 25 train-operating units and six freight-operating companies, respectively, that were franchised to private-sector operators. A new state-owned company, Railtrack, was created in 1994 to own and manage the system’s track, signals, land, and stations. Railtrack was privatized in 1996. A cracked rail led to a train derailment at Hatfield in 2000 that killed four people; trains were slowed down throughout the country as rails were checked for cracks. As a result, Railtrack announced losses of 534 million pounds in 2001. The British government formed a new not-for-profit company, Network Rail, Ltd., that assumed Railtrack’s business in 2002
Sooner or later everybody has to think about his or her future profession. But when you are just sixteen, it’s so difficult to make the right decision, and so easy to make a mistake! Of course, some people from the very childhood know for sure what they want to be. For example, my best friend has always known that she will be a doctor. She attends special courses for enhanced studying of biology and chemistry, and she believes in her success. As for me, I don’t know exactly what I want. I like a lot of things, and I do well in most subjects. And many professions appear interesting to me
As everyone knows, Britain is about to leave the European Union in principle for 2019. EU law sets out technical and safety standards, as well as rules for how the rail market can be structured (i.e. the procurement of rail contracts). Nonetheless, the UK’s domestic network has a number of characteristics which are specific to the UK, not least the UK’s island geography, meaning the UK is largely separate from the European network.
Without getting into too much detail, we can note:
> EU regulatory regime
Great Britain adheres to the current EU regulatory regime, up to Brexit, of which we have not so far the details. Directive 2012/34/EU recast a number of EU Directives and put them into one place. It was implemented in the UK in the 2016 Access and Management Regulations. EU safety and interoperability legislation currently underpins the mutual recognition arrangements for cross-border services. There are also a number of cross-cutting areas of EU law affecting rail, including
procurement, state aid, customs and immigration, employment and environmental. The United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen area.
> Others regulatory regime
• Great Britain adheres to the COTIF convention, that goes beyond the perimeter of Europe, which enables legal interoperability to be extended and technical interoperability to be improved and contributes to the development of multimodal transport;
• The United Kingdom is a member of the International Union of Railways (UIC, Paris). The UIC Country Code for United Kingdom is 70. UIC’s scope of activities is global and embraces the universality of railway topics. UIC can create a framework to develop new projects on all kinds of issues requested by Members. The registration of railway vehicles for example, which is compulsory in all countries, was based on long-standing UIC
Rail passenger transportations in Uzbekistan are carried out by JSC "Uzjeldorpass" founded in 2002 as a part of State Joint Stock Railway Company "Uzbekistan Temir Yollari". Between the main tourist cities of Uzbekistan, along with regular trains, comfortable speed trains "Afrosiab," "Shark" and "Nasar" run. The total length of the railways in Uzbekistan is more than 6,020 km, including 4,230 km of public roads; about 15% of roads are electrified.
State Joint Stock Railway Company "Uzbekistan Temir Yollari" is the only industrial-economic complex in Uzbekistan, which provides rail services both for the population and for the national economy.
Tourist trains in Uzbekistan:
•High-speed deluxe train “Afrosiab”.•Deluxe train “Shark”.•Deluxe train “Nasaf”.•Deluxe train Tashkent-Andijan-Tashkent•Night train no. 661/662 Tashkent-Bukhara-Tashkent.•Night train “Tashkent-Urgench-Tashkent”•Train “Afsona”.

DELUXE TRAIN "AFROSIAB"

High-speed train "Afrasiab" runs daily between Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara. The train was developed using the most advanced technologies in Spain by specialists of “Talgo”.
The aerodynamic front design of the train allows optimizing the action of wave pressure and crosswind, reaching maximum speed.
On the train, "Afrasiab", there are created optimal conditions for the comfort of passengers. All seats are equipped with comfortable reclining chairs, table and footrest, built-in audio and video modules monitors for watching video and reading lights. There are luggage racks and hangers for clothing above the seats. All zones are the non-smoking areas, all lounges have fitted carpet. Each coach has an information board that illustrates the information about the route, number of the coach, the interior temperature and current speed. The windows in the train are equipped with sun shades made from a special laminated glass, which provides good sound insulation. Regardless of the season and temperature outside, comfortable climate is always maintained in the coaches.
In high-speed train "Afrasiab" there are also conditions for disabled persons: the floors in all zones of the train are of the same level, and the third coach is equipped with special fasteners for wheelchairs and steward call button. Nearby there is a single-purpose toilet facility.
In the car, "Bistro", passengers can enjoy Oriental and European dishes as well as order soft drinks, tea or coffee.
Engine drivers and the staff of the high-speed train were trained at the factory of "Talgo" and "RENFE" (Spain) companies. The train "Afrasiab" meets all safety standards: there was successfully carried out a full cycle of the preliminary, acceptance and certification tests of the train on the Uzbek railways.
Additional information:Waggonage:
Type of train: high-speed, comfortable
(made in Spain);
Speed: to 210 km/h;
2 locomotives;
9 comfortable coaches;
2 coaches of "VIP" class;
2 coaches of "Business" class;
4 coaches of "Economy" class;
1 coach "Bistro".
Train schedule:
№RouteDays of departureTime of departureTime of arrival766ФTashkent - SamarkandDaily18:5020:58Tashkent - Bukhara18:5022:36765ФSamarkand - TashkentDaily06:3308:48Bukhara - Tashkent05:0008:48764ФTashkent - SamarkandFr/Sa/Su08:3010:38763ФSamarkand - Tashkent17:0019:10762ФTashkent - SamarkandDaily07:3009:38Tashkent - Bukhara07:3011:16761ФSamarkand - TashkentDaily17:2519:40Bukhara - Tashkent15:5219:40760ЗTashkent - SamarkandDaily08:0010:08759ЗSamarkand - Tashkent18:0020:10
Photos of the train:
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EXPRESS TRAIN TASHKENT - ANDIJAN - TASHKENT №060/059 AND №062/061
Train schedule:
№RouteDays of departureTime of departureTime of arrival060ФTashkent - Andijan_23456708:0514:04Tashkent - Margilan08:0512:47Tashkent - Kokand08:0511:57059ФAndijan - Tashkent_23456715:1520:45Margilan - Tashkent16:0320:45Kokand - Tashkent16:5320:45
EXPRESS TRAIN “SHARK”
Deluxe Express train "Shark" is real "Orient Express" (‘Shark’ in translation from Uzbek means ‘East’). This express train connects three ancient cities Uzbekistan: Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara. Reaching maximal speed of 160 km/h the train "Shark" quickly and comfortably covers the distance between the endpoints (Tashkent - Bukhara, 616 miles) in 6 hours and 40 minutes, which is 5 hours faster than if you were traveling on an ordinary train. En Route, "Shark" has a stopover for 20 minutes in Samarkand.
The train includes comfortable compartment cars, 1st and 2nd class cars, as well as a buffet car. All cars are completely on a par with international standards and fully meet the requirements of the sanitary norms: they are ergonomic, with good insulation everywhere provided, and comfortable microclimate at any time of the year, and the most important thing- there is guaranteed absolute safety even at a maximum speed. Each car is equipped with TV, it is possible to watch movies and music videos, and you can listen to FM-radio or music, read the latest press.
En Route passengers will be offered light breakfast (included in the fare), a wide range of beverages. Separately, you can buy souvenirs and order extra soft and alcoholic drinks.
High speed, maximum comfort and excellent level of service - that's what attracts residents and visitors of Uzbekistan, who make their choice in favor of deluxe train "Shark".
Additional information:Waggonage:

Type of train: high-speed, comfortable;

Travel time: 6 hours 40 minutes (Tashkent - Bukhara);

Speed: up to 140 km/h;

Model year: 2006;
Stopovers: Gulistan, Djizak, Samarkand, Navoi.
1 luxury car for 18 seats;
1 coach of 1 class for 36 seats;
6 coaches of 2 class for 56 seats;
1 coach of 2 class for 34 seats;
1 carriage with compartments-buffet.
Train schedule:
№RouteDays of departureTime of departureTime of arrival010ФTashkent - Samarkand_23456708:5512:14Tashkent - Bukhara08:5514:54009ФBukhara - TashkentDaily16:0022:10Samarkand - Tashkent18:3622:10
Photos of the train:
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NIGHT TRAIN NO. 661/662 TASHKENT-BUKHARA-TASHKENT

Night train Tashkent - Bukhara - Tashkent is very convenient for those on a city tour, as the train departs from Tashkent at 20:10, and at 6:00 next morning the passengers step onto the platform of the Bukhara railway station. The carriages of the train are comfortable, which makes it possible for the passengers to sleep properly during the night. Thus, the tourists’ schedule is arranged in the best way, allowing them to sleep in the train at night and spend the day on sightseeing in Bukhara.
Train No. 661/ 662 consists of 20-22 carriages (the quantity may vary) and runs between Tashkent and Bukhara every day. The train includes 5-6 carriages with double compartments with TV sets, and 1 restaurant car, where you can order soft drinks and dishes of the European or local kitchen.
The train fully meets all international standards and safety requirements. In the course of the travel the passengers are offered a breakfast, hot tea and soft drinks.
Additional information:Train:
Train type: night-time, comfortable;
Travel time: 10 hours 10 minutes;
Stops on the route: Gulistan, Jizzah, Samarkand, Navoi.
5-6 deluxe carriages with 9 double compartments each;
7-8 first-class carriages, each with 9 compartments for 4 persons;
7 second-class carriages (54 persons in each carriage);
1 restaurant car.
Train schedule:
№RouteDays of departureTime of departureTime of arrival662ЬTashkent - Bukhara1234722:0506:24Tashkent - Samarkand22:0502:00661ЬSamarkand - Tashkent1234502:3306:34Bukhara - Tashkent22:4006:34
Photos of the train:
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NIGHT TRAIN TASHKENT - URGENCH - TASHKENT №056Ч/056Ж

Train schedule:
№RouteDays of departureTime of departureTime of arrival056ЧTashkent - Urgench_23_5_720:2012:14Tashkent - Samarkand20:2000:13056ЖSamarkand - Tashkent1_34_6_03:0507:08Urgench - Tashkent14:3507:08
Photos of the train:
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DELUXE FAST TRAIN "NASAF"

High-speed deluxe train "Nasaf" runs along the route Tashkent - Kitab - Tashkent since December, 2007. The train makes stopovers in Gulistan, Djizak and Samarkand, and covers the distance between the endpoints (Tashkent - Kitab, 622 km) in 6 hours 47 minutes.
Deluxe train "Nasaf" consists of 7 comfortable cars: compartment car, 1st and 2nd class as well as buffet car. All cars are equipped with comfortable soft seats and are completely on a par with all national and international quality standards. The coaches are equipped with TV (you can watch video films and music video), and it is possible to listen to FM-radio or music.
The train “Nasaf” runs 6 times a week, and can serve 252 passengers. During the travel the passengers will be offered breakfast, hot tea, and soft drinks.
Additional information:Waggonage:
Type of train: high-speed, comfortable;
Travel time: 6 hours 47 minutes;
Speed: up to 140 km/h;
Model year: 2007;
Stopovers: Gulistan, Djizak, Samarkand.
1 carriage with compartments for 18 seats;
4 coaches of 1 class for 39 seats;
1 coach of 2 class for 36 seats;
1 carriage with compartments-buffet.
Photos of the train:
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NEW TOURISTIC TRAIN “AFSONA”

A new touristic train “Afsona” was put into use on April 11, 2013, it will connect Southern regions of the Republic with Northern ones: the train goes according to the route “Tashkent - Karshi - Urgench”. Special train “Afsona” will give a new incitement to the tourism development in the most ancient region of Uzbekistan - Chorasmian, it will help to promote the popularization of inner tourism and railway tours in the Republic. Now it is possible to get to Khorezm from Karshi, Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent much more comfortably, easier and faster.
New touristic train “Afsona” (the name translates as “Legend”) consists of 8 comfortable coaches: there are coaches of luxury class, compartments, and dining car.
Charter train of enhanced comfort “Afsona” runs not regularly, but according to the individual request. The route, stopovers and cost of tickets depend on pre-agreed individual tour program. For organization of a charter train it is necessary to gather a group in 200-250 passangers. “Afsona” is a perfect option for large groups and corporative clients travelling about Uzbekistan.
Additional information:
Waggonage:
Train type: charter, enhanced comfort;
Travel time: depends on number of necessary stopovers;
Speed: up to 140 km/h;
Stopovers: depending on pre-agreed route it can be cities: Tashkent, Karshi, Boysun, Bukhara, Urgench, Navoi, Nukus.
Compartments of luxury class;
Carriages with compartments;
1 dining car.