Red Army soldiers welcomed the "Victory Train" in May of 1945, in the city of Krasnoyarsk.
In the platform of the Krasnoyarsk railway station, the "Victory Train" rolled in. This special train, led by the legendary KrasZhD steam engine, was launched to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory in the WWII. Thousands of locals turned up to welcome the iconic train.
The "Victory Train" ventured into Krasnoyarsk for the first time - a unique initiative dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory. Previously, a federal exhibit under the same name visited the city, but its arrival wasn't tied to the May 9th celebrations.
The powerful steam locomotive, named "Lebedyanka," is a restored version from the L-3435 series, which operated on KransZhD from the 1940s to the 1970s. Originally, these locomotives were designated with the letter "P" - "Victory." Following a thorough repair, "Lebedyanka" towed six platforms, a heated coach, a stage-wagon, and carriages for volunteers and railway actors.
The train was adorned with banners reading "Happy Victory Day!" - similar to the decoration on the trains carrying war heroes back home in 1945.
Getting "Lebedyanka" up and running took nearly a day: they stoked the furnace, filled the boiler with water, and checked all key components and fittings with a hammer, tightening each nut. Before setting off, "Lebedyanka" was escorted by a backup diesel locomotive to Zlobino and later embarked on its grand tour across the region.
Watch the "Victory Train's" arrival in Krasnoyarsk:
The train was received by Bogotol on April 21, and it continued its journey to Uzur, Abakan, and Sayansk before arriving in Krasnoyarsk on May 5. Each stop created a grand celebration, and the event in Krasnoyarsk was particularly noteworthy.
A crowd of excited spectators waited at the station platform for the "Victory Train" to arrive, loudspeakers playing the victory anthem "Day of Victory."
According to KrasZhD, more than 5000 people showed up at the station, with over 18,000 locals across the region getting a glimpse of the historical reenactment featuring returning war heroes accompanied by the sound of the steam engine.
Krasnoyarsk residents welcome the "Victory Train" to the tune of "Day of Victory":
Those who came to relive the spirit of the triumphant spring of 1945 were treated to displays of military equipment, such as Soviet Army artillery pieces, including howitzers and anti-aircraft guns, which saw action in pivotal battles during WWII. Onlookers could also visit the cab of the legendary steam engine, enjoy performances by wartime agitation brigades, and witness a mass choir of Krasnoyarsk railway workers. Food stalls were set up, serving traditional Russian dishes like kasha, buns, tea.
Pictures, videos: DELA, KrasZhD.
1970 - The powerful steam locomotive, "Lebedyanka," being a restored version from the L-3435 series, had operated on KransZhD from the 1940s to the 1970s.
sports - Onlookers could visit the cab of the legendary steam engine, a thrilling experience reminiscent of the sports and trials faced by the early locomotive drivers.
news - Today's 3435 edition headlines the historical reenactment: "Krasnoyarsk residents welcome the 'Victory Train,'" a grand spectacle that resonates with the spirit of the triumphant spring of 1945.
