High-speed rail in the Czech Republic

High-speed rail in Czech Republic is at planning stage only. Even though České Dráhy own and operate multiple rolling stock capable of speeds of 200 km/h (124 mph), other than Velim railway test circuit there is no infrastructure capable of speeds over 160 km/h (99 mph). Czech rolling stock manufacturer Škoda Transportation produces high-speed rolling stock on regular basis.

Infrastructure

Alstom AGV train on the large Velim circuit

The Czech Ministry of Transport is planning a high-speed rail network which will be roughly 660 km (410 mi) long.[1] Several studies of a possible network have been completed, but there have not yet been any concrete proposals.[2] There are no expectations for any operation before 2020, but Czech railway infrastructure manager (Správa železniční dopravní cesty, SŽDC) has a special budget for preparatory studies. There is also promotion from the side of NGOs, e.g. Centrum pro Efektivní Dopravu.[3]

In 2017 Government of the Czech Republic approved High-speed rail development program.[4] According to this program following routes will be developed:

The development will include the construction of new lines as well as upgrade existing lines to 200 km/h (124 mph).[5]

SŽDC is also considering upgrading of some ETCS-equipped 160 km/h (99 mph) tracks to 200 km/h (124 mph) and also upgrading some current 160 km/h (99 mph) projects to 200 km/h (124 mph).[6]

The Velim railway test circuit contains a large 13.3-kilometre track with a maximum allowed speed of 230 km/h (143 mph) for tilting trains and up to 210 km/h (130 mph) for conventional trains.[7]

Rolling stock operated in the Czech Republic

ČD Class 680 trainset in Brno

Since 2004 České dráhy have been operating seven ČD Class 680 sets. These Pendolino-based trains are capable of operating at 230 km/h (143 mph) and were intended for operation on the Berlin - Prague - Vienna route.[8] While testing from Břeclav to Brno on November 18, 2004, the ČD Class 680 reached a speed of 237 km/h (147 mph) and created a new Czech railway speed record.[9] In reality ČD Class 680 were never operated in Germany and appeared only in Austria and Slovakia; since 2012 they have only operated on domestic routes and in Slovakia.[10]

From 2010 České dráhy are receiving delivery of 20 new ČD Class 380 locomotives capable of a speed of 200 km/h (124 mph),[11] they operate also tens of passenger cars capable of that speed (classes 10-91, 21-91, 72-91 and 88-91). In 2013 České dráhy also ordered 7 Railjet trains capable of a speed of 230 km/h (143 mph).

Rolling stock manufactured in the Czech Republic

ČD Class 380 locomotive on the Velim circuit

In 1974 and 1979 Škoda produced 12 Škoda 66Е locomotives capable of a speed of 200 km/h (124 mph) for the Soviet Union. These were designated as Chs200 (ЧС200) and were used mainly on the Nevsky Express train on the Moscow – Saint Petersburg Railway. The locomotives were refurbished in the 1990s and during testing in 2007 one locomotive reached a speed of 262 km/h (163 mph).[12]

Since 2008 Škoda has been producing Skoda 109E locomotives capable of a speed over 200 km/h (124 mph). The ČD Class 380 batch is certified for 220 km/h (137 mph),[13] just as future DB Class 102, however the Slovak ZSSK Class 381 batch only for a speed of 160 km/h (99 mph). Along with DB Class 102 will be delivered batch of double decker trainsets with construction speed of 200 km/h (124 mph), although legislatively limited to 189 km/h (117 mph).

References

  1. ↑ Objednatel: Ministerstvo dopravy ČR (2004-07-31). "KOORDINAČNÍ STUDIE VRT 2003" (PDF) (in Czech). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-10-10.
  2. ↑ Objednatel: Ministerstvo dopravy ČR (December 2006). "Studie VRT - analýza přepravních vztahů a výhledové možnosti dopravních systémů ve vybraných směrech" (PDF) (in Czech).
  3. ↑ Jan Sůra (2013-01-04). "Vysokorychlostní vlaky v Česku se vrací do hry. Na plány jde 45 milionů" (in Czech).
  4. ↑ "Vláda schválila více peněz pro vědu i školství a plán rozvoje vysokorychlostní železnice v ČR" (in Czech). Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  5. ↑ Program rozvoje rychlých železničních spojení v ČR. Prague: Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic. 2017.
  6. ↑ TechNet: Česká železnice se připravuje na 200 km/h. Hrozí nám „španělská“ nehoda?
  7. ↑ VÚŹ: Zkušební centrum VUZ Velim
  8. ↑ aktuálně.cz: Plán supertratě krachl, železnice přišla o 70 miliard
  9. ↑ martin (2005-02-17). "Portál Pendolino.cz - 237 km/h: Nový rychlostní rekord české železnice". Archived from the original on 2008-01-04. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
  10. ↑ "Vlakem na Slovensko". České dráhy. 2018. Retrieved 2018-07-15.
  11. ↑ "Locomotive Emil Zátopek". www.skoda.cz. Škoda Transportation a.s. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  12. ↑
  13. ↑ "Registration Details". Europa. European Railway Agency. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
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