October 29 2010
The Soviet SMZ cycle-car was built in the city of Serpukhov from 1970 to 1997. They were primarily used by disabled drivers who were given the cars by the government on lease. Over the years, several models were made, and some can still be seen on the streets of Russia. The most popular model featured a 10 horse power engine and could go a whopping 55 mph! Here are some photos of these fascinating cars.
Invalidka – Soviet car for disabled people
Treehugger.com has published a photo gallery of some of the more unusual Metro stations of the Soviet Union. We often see photos of the Moscow Metro, but this photo gallery takes us to the rarely seen stations of Ukraine, Armenia and beyond. It’s well worth a look.
Russian auto maker Avtovaz will launch a new ultra-cheap model of its Lada car next year, selling for 5,600 euros (7,100 dollars), its French partner company Renault said on Friday.
via AFP: Russia’s Avtovaz plans new ultra-cheap car: Renault.
A pretty funny advertisement from 1988 for the Soviet built Lada car.
It’s always interesting to come across unusual photosets on Flickr taken by tourists visiting Russia. We like to see photos that are not of the same exact thing that thousands of other tourists have posted. Colin (Billogs), being a “bus, tram and trolleybus enthusiast,” took a lot of interesting photos of public transport on his trip around Russia. He grabed many of these photos while on guided walking tours. Here are a few that we found particularly intersting. Thanks for sharing, Billogs!
A school bus in Uglich. These are a pretty rare sight in Russia, but are becoming more popular.
A modern tram in Nizhny Novgorod.
Nizhny Novgorod Trolleybus
Marshrutka in Samara
Interesting tram in Samara.
One of the brand new trams in St. Petersburg.
Double decker city tour bus in St. Petersburg.
Find many more transport photos by Billogs in his Russian Public Road Transport set on Flickr.
A great example of the funny things you can see while riding on Russian public transportation!
Balloons by Yuri Timofeyev
The UK based company GW Travel Limited is launching a new luxury train service on the Trans-Siberian railroad. With tickets ranging in price from $10,000 to $17,000, you’re unlikely to see many backpackers or traditional Trans-Siberian tourists on this train.
The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express will accommodate guests in 12 new sleeping cars that are made up of Gold and Silver classes. The six Gold class feature modern en-suite amenities including power showers and under floor heating. Cabins are equipped with state-of the-art DVD/CD players, LCD TV screens, audio system, individual air conditioning, and wardrobe space.
You could choose to travel in a Silver class car, but they are equipped with smaller shower areas.
The Golden Eagle’s inaugural departure is on 6 May, 2007, and the 14 night journey will leave from Moscow, travelling more than 6,000 miles (10,000 kms) to its final destination, Vladivostok, on the Sea of Japan.
Link: GW Travel Limited – Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express
Link: New York Times – A New Luxury Train on Trans-Siberian Route
Link: Reuters – All aboard Russia’s luxury hotel on wheels
Link: Wikipedia – Trans-Siberian Railway
