Metro Museum in Moscow
Moscow Metro museum. Now why should you visit it? What's so interesting about Moscow metro that deserves to have a museum?
A fair question. There are many places to see, and metro - isn't it just another sort of transit? Well, no, it isn't! Moscow metro isn't just a transport system – it's an astonishing achievement of our people to say the least!
We, Russians don't like to deal with small things. Everything we do must be colossal, heroic and surrounded by a couple of epics at least. Moscow subway was no exception, so believe me - there are loads of intriguing stuff you can learn in Moscow metro museum!
That's especially true if you're a techie like me. Wouldn't you just love to sit inside the driver's cabin? Press the buttons, pull the switches... Yeah, I know - the equipment is totally outdated, but it works! Heck, score one for the Soviet engineers! I bet they wouldn't believe their machinery will last that long.
Photo taken from official site
And it's so much fun to look at it! So crude, so...Russian! No electronics, no fancy capitalist microchips, no digital displays - just a pure, brutal simplicity. If you look at driver's panel - you'll know what I mean. That thing looks like it could withstand a couple of nuclear blasts! And the phones...my god, are they still using those???
Speaking about nuclear blasts - that equipment may be old, but it's sure extremely reliable! Even if all hell breaks loose on the surface – the equipment of Moscow metro will surely continue to operate. First of all, it's simple, and second – it doesn't utilize microelectronics, so it's completely shielded from electromagnetic interference.
Just look at all those fancy Japanese cars around. Those vehicles have more microchips running them than an average PC! It will be enough to detonate a small nuclear device high in the atmosphere to completely paralyze the country's traffic – and that was something that Soviet government did not want to happen.
Therefore, nearly all production of the Soviet state was based on the principle "crude yet efficient" – and Moscow metro was surely not an exception. After all, Stalin wanted it to be a huge fallout shelter – so everything was built as reliable as possible. Passenger comfort? You're kidding, right?
Speaking of Soviet machinery - ever wondered how the escalator works? Yes, yes, that huge thing that runs down for miles below? In fact, Moscow metro museum will show that to you in the finest detail! Hey, I even found a cool YouTube video - it's right below. Just remember you need to have a fresh version of flash player installed!
However, despite all the videos and explanations, I still can't figure out why it takes so darn long to fix one? If I'm not mistaken, every last one of those escalators is being repaired for three long months! The size is not important in this case – the escalator may be just several meters in length or as long as the one on "Park Pobedy". Well, I guess it's something that Moscow metro museum won't be sharing with us!
A large portion of the museum is dedicated to the history of metro - a tale of heroism, sacrifice and, let's face it, cruelty. Moscow subway was founded by Komsomol volunteers - idealist young people working in horrible and dangerous conditions. Were they heroes? Were they foolish? I couldn't decide. In any case - their sacrifice was tremendous.
Imagine how hard it was to build an installation of that size! By the way, if you think that Moscow metro is only about tunnels, stations and passages – think again. In fact, the infrastructure available to public is truly only a tip of the iceberg!
There are probably hundreds of kilometers of hidden service communications that you'll never know about – and note I'm not speaking about famous Metro 2 here! I think that people who actually built all of that deserve the highest possible credit for their job, wouldn't you agree?
Of course, Moscow metro wasn't built in a day, and later on the volunteers were replaced by professionals who received a decent compensation for their job.
However, the very foundation of our city's subway was created by those young men with burning hearts who truly believed in the ideals of communism.They sacrificed a lot, sometimes even their lives, to give Moscow some of the most beautiful metro stations, and they truly deserve our deepest respect!
Walk around - there is lots of funny vintage stuff brought in especially for tourists. Red flags, posters, quotations from socialist thinkers – if you’re a fan of all those communist thingies, Moscow metro museum is for you!
However, don’t think only tourists love the Soviet stuff. Take me for example - I loved museum’s Soviet posters so much I even bought a couple in the nearby bookstore. To be honest, I collect those – and don’t ask me why.
Being anti-communist, I still love the crudeness and simplicity of Soviet propaganda, and there are lots of people in Moscow who are seriously into this business. Ahh, who would’ve thought back in the times of Joseph Stalin that his beloved communism would be sold on the souvenir stalls! Dunno about you, but I’m really happy that those posters are only in the shops and not on the streets 
However, even if you aren’t that keen on the souvenirs – there’s still a lot you can learn from the museum. For example, you can found out all the technical details of Moscow metro operations. How precisely was it built? How come the trains don’t collide? How is the ventilation operating? Are modern being utilized these days?
These questions may seem aimless, but I think it’s a good idea to know how the metro functions. After all, most of us are using it daily, and to say the truth we aren’t that aware on what’s going on behind the scenes.
Sure, if you’re riding a bus – you don’t have to know how the engine is built. However, it would be nice to know all the important stuff, including the possible dangers of bus riding. Same thing applies to Moscow metro – knowing what makes it tick may really help you out, especially under extreme conditions.
Somehow, I was always fascinated with the Moscow metro. It may be grim and crowded – but it’s still full of might. Every time I pass its magnificent halls, I recall J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”, where Frodo’s party travelled through the dungeons of Moria.
They too marvelled at the tremendous work that was done to build that magnificent place. They too passed huge distances underground. And they too felt the powerful force the place was emanating.
Well, while Tolkien was dealing with the world full of dwarves and elves, the regular folks like you and I managed to build something no less fantastic – and note, without any magic whatsoever. Want to know more details? The museum is waiting for you!
Don’t get me wrong, I ‘m not saying that Moscow metro museum must be your top priority. If you’re short on time, you should definitely use it for the main Moscow sights, and leave the rest for your next visit.
However, if you have half a day to spare – I think you should visit that place. That’s especially true if you’re a technical person, as all the Soviet gadgets will drive you nuts. Plus, I also think it’s a good place to take your kids to - although you should still take them to Gorky Park after you finish with the subway!
So, without any more ado -go to "Sportivnaya" station, get to the third floor and have fun. Moscow metro museum, here-we-goooo!
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