Text 9 rail in britain

Notes to the text:

British Rail - Британская железная дорога

Intercity Sector - междугородный сектор "Интерсити”

Channel Tunnel - туннель под Ла-Маншем

То provide the British public with a better rail service at less cost, British Rail has implemented its largest investment programme for 30 years.

Britain's railway equipment manufacturers are working alongside with British Rail, developing new technology to ensure that this investment programme gives the maximum value for money.

British Rail has Intercity Sector which operates without public subsidy. Every day, over 700 Intercity trains link the main cities and towns in Britain. More than 80 million Inter-City journeys are made annually.

Intercity operates the world's fastest trains in existing tracks - achieving average speeds of 160 km/h without the mas­sive investment and environmental impact associated with high speed lines. Since 1976 Intercity services on non-electrified routes have been provided by 200 km/h diesel-powered Intercity 125 High Speed Trains. Total fleet mileage now approaches 250 million kilometers.

Today, investment in Intercity is focussed on the elect­rification of the London-Edinburgh main line. The first stage between London and Leeds was completed in 1988, with new high speed electric services inaugurated in 1989. For this project, British industry has developed a new generation of 240 km/h high speed trains.

In addition to new high speed traction and rolling stock, journey times are being reduced by new approaches to track maintenance based on investment in specialized equipment. Imp­roved ticketing and passenger information systems are being introduced at the main terminals.

British Rail and its European partners are already plan­ning the new rail services which will be introduced when the Channel Tunnel opens in 1993. A service of high speed trains will link London with Paris and Brussels. Journey times of under 3 h for London – Paris and 2 ¾ h for London- Brussels are anticipated. Through, trains will rum beyond London to major towns and cities.

EXERCISES

I. Читая текст, найдите абзац, в котором говорится:

а) о том, сколько пассажиров в год перевозит междугородный сектор «Интерсити»;

б) об электрификации одной из линий "Интерсити";

в) о строящемся под Ла-Маншем туннеле.

П. Выберите утверждения, соответствующие содержанию текста:

1. British Rail has implemented its largest investment programme for 100 years.

2. British Rail has Intercity Sector which operates without public subsidy.

3. Intercity transports more than 10 million passengers annually.

4. The average speed of Intercity trains is 160 km/h.

5. Today investment in Intercity is focussed on the introduc­tion of diesel traction.

6. Journey times are being reduced by the use of the new track maintenance equipment?

7. The Channel Tunnel will link London with Paris only.

8. A journey from London to Paris will take 2 ¾ h.

III. Найдите в тексте предложение, в котором говорится:

а) о пути достижения наивысшей окупаемости капиталовложений на Британских железных дорогах;

б) о скорости новых электровозов, разработанных для Интерсити.

IV. Найдите в тексте ответы на вопросы:

1. What does British Rail Want to provide the British public with?

2. How many Intercity trains link the main cities and towns of Britain?

3. What is the average speed of Intercity trains?

4. When was the first stage of electrification of the London-Edinburgh main line completed?

5. When will the Channel Tunnel open?

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