EN
This article attempts to analyze and interpret an extremely popular in the Russian literature spatial category, which is the train. This special place connotes different kinds of pieced-out meanings. The purpose of this paper is to look at how the train theme functions in the work of a contemporary writer Vladimir Kantor. The research material consists of two of his works: the story entitled The Safety Brake and the story entitled The Köln - Moscow train. Particularly interesting seems to be a comparison of the train to a grave and its importance in the reflection on the situation, the fate and Russia’s development path, as well as the human life of a contemporary intellectual. The train becomes a metaphor of the journey into yourself and exploring your own identity. The story characters: a young boy and a mature man delve into themselves during the journey and learn the truth not only about themselves but also about the world around them.