Traveling deep into the earth in Moscow

A marvel of engineering, art, and culture can be observed in the awe-inspiring gaze of travelers from the moment they board the escalator at Moscow's Park Pobedy station. This immense structure is one of the longest escalators in the world and the longest in Europe, carrying its passengers in complete tranquility on a journey deep into the earth at a place called Park Pobedy Metro Station in Moscow.

History of Park Pobedy Metro Station escalator

Park Pobedy (Victory Park) in Moscow is situated on one of the highest hills in the city and serves as a memorial to the sacrifices and bravery of the Russian people in defending their homeland, which led to Napoleon's retreat in the face of scorched-earth tactics by Russia and severe cold, as well as a reminder of Russia's victory in World War II against Hitler. One of the reasons metro stations are built underground is for their effectiveness as air raid shelters. During World War II air raids, approximately half a million people sought refuge in these stations, with women and children sleeping in the metro cars. It is said that these stations were also designed to protect people from atomic bombings.

Construction of Park Pobedy Metro Station began in 1987, but five years later, due to budget shortages, all work was halted. In 2000, work resumed, and it finally opened in 2003. Design-wise, it is the only Moscow metro station where all passengers board and disembark trains at different platforms.

This station has a unique structural design where instead of using traditional cast iron tunnel linings, steel block linings filled with concrete are used, reducing the use of metal and consequently reducing the weight of the structure.

One of Moscow's attractions is its metro stations, which are famous for their underground palaces. Among them, Park Pobedy station stands out for its beautiful and unique design. The walls are adorned with red and white marble, and the floor is covered with black and gray granite, reminiscent of a chessboard. Additionally, two watercolor paintings adorn the walls of this station. One commemorates Russia's victories in the War of 1812 against Napoleon and the other in World War II from 1941-1945 against Nazi Germany, depicted in the southern and northern halls, respectively. These paintings were created by the famous Russian artist Zurab Tsereteli.

The Stalin's Coffee Cup, from myth to reality:

There are fascinating stories about the Moscow metro, one of which is related to the "Circle Line." It is said that when the proposed map for the construction of the metro was presented to Stalin, he placed his coffee cup on the map and drew a coffee-colored circle on it, which happened to be the connecting loop of the metro lines. The map designers, afraid to ask Stalin whether he meant to connect the stations or if it was just a stain on the map, preferred to implement it, and now the Moscow metro map is in coffee color.

Features of the escalator at Park Pobedy Metro Station:

The escalator at Park Pobedy Metro Station, or Victory Park, is one of the deepest metro stations in the world and also one of the longest escalators in the world, officially taking its passengers to a depth of 73 meters underground. The title of the deepest metro station in the world is now held by the Hongyancun station in Chongqing, southwestern China, which is located 106 meters underground.

Official sources have announced different depths for Park Pobedy Metro Station, which are as follows in the table below:
1.    74 meters
2.    84 meters
3.    80 meters
4.    90 meters

However, the platform, the slope of the escalator, and the total height of the lobby stairs do not confirm these figures. According to information released by the metro escalator service, the height of the main escalator slope at the station is 63.4 meters, and the height of the small lobby slope is 3.6 meters. The revolving lobby is connected to the surface by a staircase and an elevator with a lift height of 4.94 meters. The passenger platform height from the rail surface is 1.1 meters. Therefore, the depth of the station is approximately 73 meters, which has been confirmed by the official website of Moscow City Planning Policy and Construction.

The length of this escalator is 126 meters with 740 steps and moves at a speed of 0.75 meters per second. It takes about 3 minutes from boarding to disembarking. This structure is equipped with safety brakes, fire extinguisher capsules, and an efficient ventilation system, and its constructors claim to have used the latest world standards and safety technologies.

Beautiful LED lights are placed along the escalator's path, changing their light according to various occasions. Additionally, images of Russian culture, art, and history, including stories of battles, personalities, heroes, and historical monuments, are displayed on the walls of the escalator tunnel, showcasing the history and culture of the country to everyone.

It is estimated that 50,000 people use this escalator daily to descend to Park Pobedy station.

Key features of Moscow Metro escalators:

One of the technical differences between escalators used in the Moscow Metro and other countries is the type of power system used.
• In the Moscow Metro, a direct current (DC) power system is used, while in many other countries, an alternating current (AC) power system is used.
This difference in power system has been made for technical reasons and the performance of escalators. Generally, DC escalators have better and more efficient performance. This system ensures stable movement of the escalator steps, reduces slipping, and prevents sudden slipping of passengers. Additionally, using a DC system reduces the likelihood of errors and technical failures in the operation of the escalator and makes troubleshooting easier.

Summary:
The escalator at Park Pobedy Metro Station in Moscow is one of the longest, most equipped, and safest escalators in the world, benefiting from the latest world technologies and international standards. In addition to its impressive design, this structure is a blend of art and industry and is an attractive destination for foreign tourists.

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