This post is all about the Dnepropetrovsk Metro, the metro which has been built for so long…
Let’s begin with the station where, on the 29th of December, 1995 a symbolic red ribbon was cut. This is how a typical entry to the metro looks.
Kommunarovskaya Station is a typical example of the architecture of the 80′s. Since the station was the most finished before the break down of the Soviet Union, its architecture remained virtually untouched. Previously, instead of energy-saving lamps there were those old fluorescent lamps shaped like “U” after looking at which modern lamps seem a bit ridiculous.
Initially all stations were quite different in design. Now the only thing they differ in is the color of arches. Pictured: Zavodskaya Station.
The station seems to have the calmest and the most pleasant color and unusual lamps.
Vokzalnaya Station. Because of the large diameter of its columns it’s sometimes mistakenly called pylon when in fact it’s column.
And this is what is usually left behind the scenes. The remote control of a train dispatcher with an old mnemonic display.
Glowing yellow lights above “PK55″ indicate the train which drops off the passengers at a station.
The depot located between an industrial zone and a private sector.
The trains in Dnepropetrovsk have only three cars and seem quite ridiculous on the territory of a huge depot.
The blue building belongs to the administration. The big gray building on the right is a repair shop.
The naves of the depot.
A turntable.
The ditches for rolling stock.
The repair shop.
The bridges and ditches for maintenance and repair.
Traction engines taken off the cars.
The platform with the stairs for an escalator.
One of the cars prepared for being repaired.
Brand new wheel sets.
Jacks for car lifting.
A neighboring part of the shop.
The system of transportation of wheel sets from shop to shop.
Some more pictures of the depot.
Now let’s speak a little about the history of the metro.
In the 60-80′s, there was a boom in the construction of subways in the Soviet Union. The cities with the population of a million people got the precious right to build them. By the end of the 70′s Dnepropetrovsk had already had the millionth man, but still couldn’t count on its construction… One of the indispensable conditions was the fact that the city had to be opened for foreigners but Dnepropetrovsk wasn’t (the reason is one of the forges of the Cold War, the Yuzhny machine building plant, located there). Eventually the local authorities somehow managed to convince Brezhnev in the city’s urgent need in the construction of a metro and on December 25, 1995 it was finally opened.
Pictured: the project of Metallurgov Station.
A solemn meeting in honor of the construction of mine shaft № 4.
According to the project, the first section consisted of 6 stations.
In the picture you can see one of the designed schemes.
I’ve always been interested in Metro systems and these are some great pictures. But what disappoints me is that following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the state-owned oil companies fell into the hands of the oligarchs.. and now they are using this wealth to fund their own ridiculous lifestyles while the lives of ordinary citizens are hard and modest. Sigh.
Beautiful stations! Some of them look tailor-made for a sci-fi scene…
The last sentence in this post really struck me: “Sad to realize that all problems may be solved in one way: stable funding.”
Ah, yes. It is always so.
Interesting post, thank you.
In 2006, this metro had few passengers due to limited number of stops,serving mostly the industrial side of the city rather than the center, so trains were coming every almost 15 minutes. Ticket was a bit more expensive than Kiev metro. Don’t know about present situation, opening of more stations was planned, don’t know if it has already done.
First impression from this metro is that their architects were watching too much 80′s sci-fi!
Alot of energy goes into these subways. They are almost like churches or museums.
It just seems like misplaced money. From the other posts in this forums, It looks like the hospitals and roads in Russia could use a lot more funding. Also, your slap at the US was really weakminded. Considering the construction standards and inspection standards are so high in the US it takes longer to build here. As an American I look at mass transit as a utilitarian program for moving people (usually lower income) from point A to point B. It is not the source of national pride that it is for Russia. It is just a tool. Most Americans have cars and the roads are usually in great shape. We don’t romanticize underground trains.
Of course. No wonder. It takes hours to get across town in a car, compared to a few minutes in the train. Thats in the west, of course.
Also, your slap at Russia was really weakminded. You accuse Russians of spending time and resources on subways, while leaving roads relatively unattended. Its the exact opposite in the US. The roads are taken well care of while the subways are not so well maintained.