AT THE RAILWAY STATION Journeys by railway begin and end at stations. They must offer the passenger all he is likely to need in the way of service. The main purpose of a railway station is to get a passenger and his luggage into or out of railway trains as effectively and speedily as possible. The first need of the passenger is to know what trains are available to his destination, how long they take and where, if anywhere, he has to change. Thus the information on the time of train departure, fares, route, arrival time is given either at the inquiry office or by automatic machines. Besides this information is all shown on printed timetables and train indicators. An automatic check-room (cloak-room) is intended for safekeeping hand- luggage at railway stations. It is also called a left-luggage office. A meal can be obtained in the restaurant, in the refreshment and dining rooms. Book-. newspapers-, flower, souvenirs stalls, a post-office and a telegraph office, an Intourist office the first-aid post, banks of telephones, spacious waiting-rooms and numerous booking (ticket) offices are taken for granted at large railway stations. An automatic system «Express 2 for booking and long-distance train ticket selling is in operation on the Moscow Railway. Similar systems are installed now in Saint-Petersburg. Kiev and some other railway stations of the Russia. Exercise 3. Answer the questions. 1. Do journeys by railway begin and end at station? 2. What is the main purpose of a railway station? 3. Where is the information on the time of train departure, fares, route, arrival time given? 4. Besides is this information all shown on train indicator? 5. For what is an automatic check-room intended? 6. Where can you have dinner at the railway station? 7. What services can you see in the waiting-room at large railway station? 8. What can you tell about the automatic system «Express - 2»?