Chicken, cucumbers and eggs for lunch – the past or the future of Russian Railways? About an important aspect of traveling by train

What to eat during the trip – is hardly the most interesting question, along with «have I forgotten anything?» and « when will we arrive?». For many, this is an important component on which mood, well-being and future plans depend. And now Russian Railways has presented a surprise: there will be food on the trains, but in a different, unusual format! A little more about nutrition on Russian Railways trains: do you need to take something with you and where can I have dinner?

What did you eat on the trains

Even those who have never traveled on trains perfectly understand what it's about - the aroma of fresh cucumbers, baked chicken and hard-boiled eggs enveloped the train even before departure. Appetizing and delicious, but often only to those who have lunch themselves! In general, those traveling on long-distance trains are clearly divided into two camps: those who take food (usually homemade) with them in a compartment, and those who prefer to go to lunch in a restaurant car. The first ones took with them… anything! Soup in cans and thermoses, ready-made cutlets, potatoes in uniform, chicken, sausage, pies, hard-boiled eggs and all kinds of vegetables. The main thing is satisfying and delicious, and always salt in a small box! All the dishes were laid out on the table, those who wanted to share the meal were invited, who looked with an interested eye at the magic of unwrapping bags and parcels and guessed by the smell that they were about to be taken out. Having had a hearty lunch, the travelers went for tea, then, as a rule, nap or talk until the time comes when it's time to unwrap the parcels again. Among those who often travel or are well-informed about the way, it was a special chic to guess the time of lunch, and then go out and buy pickles for their potatoes, hot pies or fish on the platform.

The latter preferred to stay on dry rations in the compartment, and had lunch in the restaurant car. They chose a dish from the menu, the waiter set the table, tablecloths, napkins, etc. This had its own charm, a slight departure from the reality of traveling by train (minimum comfort, uncomfortable posture if you got the upper shelf, cramped). During lunch, everything was beautiful and festive, the issues of quality and cost of food, plus the ethics of service, can not be clarified.

Both that option and this one are not ideal. Firstly, the quality of products and dishes – no one can guarantee that a carefully cooked chicken will not spoil in the bag ahead of time, and in the restaurant car they will not serve olivier with a slight sour smell. Secondly, the restaurant car is simply not able to accommodate and feed the entire train, so the most leisurely could easily stay without dinner. And thirdly, the delicate issue of unsanitary conditions that at lunch in a restaurant, that in a compartment. Maybe that's why many passengers, if they had to spend a day on the road, others preferred to do with laconic chocolate, mineral water and apples: a set of odorless, limited shelf life, convenient to eat.

RZHJ News: bistro to replace restaurant

The Russian railways decided to change the concept of food in trains. So, the usual restaurant cars will be replaced by a bistro car. The main difference is that trains will no longer cook food from fresh products and semi-finished products, as they do in restaurants, but will offer ready-made dishes, by analogy with an airplane. Previously, the cook cooked on time for the movement of the train, focusing on demand, now passengers will be offered to choose a ready-made lunch from several positions. The lunch set is prepared in the food shop, cooled, packed in sterile containers and delivered to the train. The passenger chooses a conditional chicken or fish, the kitchen workers warm up the container and serve the table, or take the food to the compartment, or simply give it to the traveler. Russian Railways promises that the sets will be diverse and taking into account religious, age and medical aspects. I.e. fasting, passengers with children or diabetics will not be infringed on their rights to have a delicious and proper lunch on the train. In addition, passengers will still be able to take their own food on the train, plus order something from the delivery service to the platform or even directly to the bistro car!

New format of food in trains: pros and cons

The new power format has not yet been rolled back to 100% in order to draw reliable conclusions, whether the idea has caught on or not. Here it is also necessary to take into account the territorial aspect – in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other large cities, innovations take root faster and according to preliminary surveys there is demand. In the outback, they still prefer the traditional approach. Perhaps this is due to financial viability and the large spread of the idea of ready meals in the capital. And yet, with the new format, you can be sure – you will be served quickly! This is indicated by the very name of the car – bistro, which means fast. Now there is no need to wait until the cook gives the dish out from under the knife or collects it from the blanks, warms it up, serves it. The kits are delivered ready, assembled, packed – grey if necessary, open and eat. At the same time, many passengers are afraid that such a format, in its simplicity and convenience, will not slip into sandwiches and fast food. Russian Railways assures that this is not fast food, although there will be their signature dishes for fans of hamburgers, strips and French fries. In terms of cost, such meals should become cheaper than lunch in a restaurant car, because the load on food storage and cooking is reduced. The passenger will be able to dine with a ready-made set in the bistro car both with a serving and to set the table on their own. Maybe even take a set home or eat it in a compartment. However, Russian Railways is not ready to completely switch to this type of food, classic dining cars will remain in branded trains.

So how can it be better to take money for lunch or food, a ready-made set or your baked chicken with you on the train? Naturally, this is a matter of personal preferences and attitude to food. Here, Russian Railways offers to make a choice on their own, both regarding food (their own or purchased), and the place of lunch: you can in a compartment, you can in a restaurant car. Everything for the comfort and convenience of passengers!