Kiev - DR1A

In 2013 a very unusual train appeared in Kiev on a new route. It was the DR1A diesel unit. The route followed an old industrial single track and was very unsuitable for the heavy DR1A diesel.

The train had only two stops (Kiev-Pitryvka , Vyshgorod).  It departed twice a day with a delay of more then half an hour.

The distance is only about 25 kilometers, yet the train needs over an hour due to the speed limit which made it very unpopular. The whole train transported around 2 passengers every trip...

 

 DR1A at station Vyshgorod. The front section of the train. The front and the end sections are the same, that is also where the two diesel engines are located. In between there are two more wagons.

From the left side.

From the right side. Also note the completely empty platform. The location of this station is very unfortunate, far away from the bus station and the living districts of Vyshgorod.

An unusual type of boogie of the engine section, found only on the DR1A units.

Boogie near the end of the carriage.

A typical interior view with wooden benches, similar to the well known benches on the classic ER2 electric multiple units.

Although similar to the well known ER2 the benches on a DR1A are ordered as 2 + 3 instead of 3 + 3(ER2) since the carriage is a bit narrower.

Dirty windows of the train and tracks covered in garbage outside...

Poor quality glass in the windows deform the view.

In case of emergency - contact the train driver. A typical device found on all ex-Soviet passenger units.

A small village at the outskirts of Kiev...

Picture from the cabin. Also on this track a maximum speed op 30 km/h is maintained.

When the train enters Kiev it appears at the shunting yard of the lagres beer brewery of Ukraine: Obolon beer factory.

Some images of the beer factory as the DR1A passes through its territory.

Main building of the beer factory Obolon'. The largest beer producer in Kiev. Besides Obolon' other brands are brewed here as well.

To the right private factory tracks are going into the factory grounds.

Refrigerator wagon with beer ready for transport.

The track is used so rarely that the trees branches often touch the train as it passes by.

Unfortunately, due to its impopularity the diesel service to Vyshgorod was withdrawn. This was the last location near Kiev where this rear diesel unit could be spotted.