High-speed rail in the Czech Republic

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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 230 km/h (143 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 železnic, SŽ) 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] New high-speed routes will consist of the following shorter sections:

section route length maximum speed service start of construction
VRT Polabí[6] RS1, RS5 29 km 320 km/h passengers 2025
VRT Střední Čechy[7] RS1 70 km 320 km/h passengers 2027
VRT Vysočina II. fáze[8] RS1 79 km 320 km/h passengers 2029
VRT Vysočina I. fáze[9] RS1 33 km 320 km/h passengers 2027
VRT Haná[10] RS1 N/A 320 km/h passengers after 2040
VRT Moravská brána[11] RS1 N/A 320 km/h passengers 2025
VRT Jižní Morava[12] RS2 34 km 320 km/h passengers 2025
VRT Podřipsko[13] RS4 58 km 320 km/h passengers 2027
VRT Středohorský tunel[14] RS4 21.5 km 250 km/h passengers, freight 2038
Krušnohorský tunel[15] RS4 23 km[16] 250 km/h passengers, freight 2028
VRT Poohří[17] RS4 65 km 250 km/h passengers, freight after 2030
VRT Východní Čechy[18] RS5 60 km 250-320 km/h passengers after 2040
VRT Podkrkonoší[19] RS5 50-60 km 250-320 km/h N/A after 2040

In 2018 SŽDC identified following three shorter sections as pilot projects:[20][21]

  • VRT Polabí (HST Polabí) - Prague - Poříčany (30 km) - part of future RS1 and RS5
  • VRT Jižní Morava (HST South Moravia) - Brno - Vranovice - part of future RS2
  • VRT Moravská brána (HST Moravian Gate) - Přerov - Ostrava - part of future RS1

SŽ 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).[22] In 2020 SŽ called for bids to upgrade ongoing 9 km (6 mi) Soběslav - Doubí project and 20 km (12 mi) Sudoměřice – Votice project to 200 km/h (124 mph), both projects are on Prague - České Budějovice route.[23]

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.[24]

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.[25] While testing from Břeclav to Brno on 18 November 2004, the ČD Class 680 reached a speed of 237 km/h (147 mph) and created a new Czech railway speed record.[26] 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.[27]

From 2010 České dráhy are receiving delivery of 20 new ČD Class 380 locomotives capable of a speed of 200 km/h (124 mph),[28] 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 (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).[29]

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),[30] 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). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  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. ^ "VRT Polabí - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  7. ^ "VRT Střední Čechy - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  8. ^ "VRT Vysočina II. fáze - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  9. ^ "VRT Vysočina I. fáze - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  10. ^ "VRT Haná - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  11. ^ "VRT Moravská brána - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  12. ^ "VRT Jižní Morava - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  13. ^ "VRT Podřipsko - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  14. ^ "VRT Středohořský tunel - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  15. ^ "Krušnohorský tunel - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  16. ^ Czech section
  17. ^ "VRT Poohří - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  18. ^ "VRT Východní Čechy - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  19. ^ "VRT Podkrkonoší - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  20. ^ "SŽDC Accelerates Preparation of Rapid Service on Our Territory - www.szdc.cz". www.szdc.cz. Retrieved 2019-10-18.
  21. ^ Sůra, Jan (2018-04-23). "Polabí či Moravská Brána. SŽDC začala řešit "izolované" vysokorychlostní tratě". zdopravy.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2019-10-18.
  22. ^ TechNet: Česká železnice se připravuje na 200 km/h. Hrozí nám „španělská“ nehoda?
  23. ^ Šindelář, Jan (2020-01-10). "Na 4. koridoru se bude jezdit 200 km/h, Správa železnic vypsala tendr na přeprojektování úseku Soběslav – Doubí". Zdopravy.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2020-06-29.
  24. ^ VÚŹ: Zkušební centrum VUZ Velim
  25. ^ aktuálně.cz: Plán supertratě krachl, železnice přišla o 70 miliard
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ "Vlakem na Slovensko". České dráhy. 2018. Retrieved 2018-07-15.
  28. ^ "Locomotive Emil Zátopek". www.skoda.cz. Škoda Transportation a.s. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  29. ^ "[image]". Archived from the original on 2007-03-29. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  30. ^ "Registration Details". Europa. European Railway Agency. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
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