The new city tour season has truly begun, with last week's grand opening of the new "Garland of Russian Manors" program. The opening was officiated by the Moscow Tourism Committee and took place at Rizhskaya metro station, where the metro meets the Minor Circular Railroad of Moscow. Grigory Antyufeev, the Head of the Moscow Tourism Committee, claims that the Moscow Government approved this program "to preserve the landscape architecture ensembles and historical parts of the city that are the most popular with tourists." The estates of tsars, nobility and merchants from the 17th-19th centuries are at the core of the program, and the Minor Circular Railroad of Moscow is the glue that holds the exhibits together. The "retro train" - equipped and designed to resemble the trains of the early 20th century - will travel back and forth on the route adding a special touch to the excursion.

Dmitry Shultzev of the Moscow Tourism Committee reports "at the moment the first part of the tour is already in action." The journey from the Rizhsky railway station to Podmoskovnaya station takes about two and a half hours and includes sightseeing as well as "an entertaining and educational program" he says.

The target audience of the program is extensive, ranging from children to their parents and the elderly. There are three basic parts to this program: an excursion to the Railway Machinery Museum at the Rizhsky railway station, a ride on the retro-train, and a tour of the Podmoskovnaya roundhouse.

The retro train runs on a steam engine with five different classes: emperor class, first class and three carriages in economy class.

Designers have done their best to make the interior of the train look authentic: the walls are upholstered with velvet, lampshades are made of lace, and the windows are adorned with flowing curtains.

The third class is furnished with wooden benches and tables, while the patrons in the first class car can rest on cushioned armchairs.

Excursions start at noon from the entrance to the Railway Machinery Museum and finish at 2:30 p.m. at Podmoskovnaya train station. Excursions are held six days a week, with Monday off.

Shultzev confirmed that the second part of the excursion will be unveiled this weekend. This program will include a tour of the Tsaritsino museum and will last four hours.

Members of the press, guests and over a hundred school children will make up the first group of tourists to try out the new route. 

By Katya Vinogradova