Exhibits

For Settlers

The construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway at the end of the 19th century necessitated the creation of a new type of car designed to transport passengers and large amounts of luggage over long distances while providing only a minimal level of comfort.

The problem could not be solved by simply adapting freight cars for passenger transportation. In the final years of the 19th century, the development of cars specifically designed for the transportation of troops and settlers began, and with the onset of the 20th century, mass production of these cars commenced.

Fourth-class cars saw widespread adoption because their ticket prices were significantly lower than those of third-class cars.

Despite offering a low level of comfort, fourth-class cars saw widespread adoption due to their much cheaper tickets compared to third class.

Museum Exhibit

Early Version

The car was built at the Fēnikss Joint-Stock Company Plant in Riga in 1899 or 1900 and belonged to an early version of cars used for the mass transportation of settlers and military personnel. Later, it underwent significant alterations.

Till 30th August 1962 (completion of repairs at the Tbilisi Locomotive and Car Repair Works), it was in the inventory of the Kuybyshev Railway under no. 1247. Then it was transferred to the Experimental Track Laying Machine Station No. 1 (Reshetnikovo) of the Oktyabrskaya Railway.

The car exhibited at the museum took part in the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the USSR railways.

In 1987, it underwent repairs on the Oktyabrskaya Railway and was included in the train that took part in the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the USSR railways. It was used in 1989 for an exhibition at the Shcherbinka Station.

The car was brought to the museum from the passenger car storage depot at the Manushkino Station in the mid-1990s. It was restored during repair works carried out by ARS-M LLC in 2015–2016.