Let's take the train

Here is the overall view of the Baikonur Central Railways Station (from south to north):


A view from the upper level clearly shows the platforms, the tracks and the trains:


The odd thing, as you have may be already noticed, is that there is no real station building around to buy a ticket or to get information. But in fact what for?
Info boards stand permanently ahead of each platform, and trains have a single destination: the cosmodrome (with its many stations) and carry its personnel only.
So no real chance for an afternoon ride!


To pull the trains, Kosmotranc operates a standard type of diesel machine. We see them during our commuting trips from the bus on the various rail tracks of the cosmodrome.


This Sunday afternoon, seeing few passengers boarding, I walked up there to know more.
Hundred meters further on the platform, I met with Жана (Zhana), the train manager who was first surprised to see someone coming to this place with no intention to board. After I told that I was just walking around, she explained to me that this train was specially chartered today from the cosmodrome to allow some staff living there to have a break in the city of Baikonur before returning to their working place.


I was allowed to board few minutes and to visit the interior of the wagon. The compartments were effectively full of seated people in working clothes.


To say good bye after our short discussion on the platform, Zhana was happy to make a picture. This very open and friendly attitude is a common feature among the majority of the Kazakh people I met so far in Baikonur.


It is now 15:00 sharp, boarding completed, door are closed and the train leaves.
Bon voyage!