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 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[]
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:
- RS1 - Prague - Brno - Ostrava - (Katowice)
- RS2 - Brno - Břeclav - (Vienna/Bratislava)
- RS3 - Prague - Plzeň - (Munich)
- RS4 - Prague - Ústí nad Labem - (Dresden)
- RS5 - Prague - Liberec/Hradec Králové - (Wrocław)
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[]
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[]
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[]
- ^ Objednatel: Ministerstvo dopravy ČR (2004-07-31). "KOORDINAČNÍ STUDIE VRT 2003" (PDF) (in Czech). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-10-10.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Jan Sůra (2013-01-04). "Vysokorychlostní vlaky v Česku se vrací do hry. Na plány jde 45 milionů" (in Czech).
- ^ "Vláda schválila více peněz pro vědu i školství a plán rozvoje vysokorychlostní železnice v ČR" (in Czech). Retrieved 2018-08-03.
- ^ Program rozvoje rychlých železničních spojení v ČR. Prague: Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic. 2017.
- ^ "VRT Polabí - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "VRT Střední Čechy - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "VRT Vysočina II. fáze - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "VRT Vysočina I. fáze - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "VRT Haná - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "VRT Moravská brána - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "VRT Jižní Morava - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "VRT Podřipsko - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "VRT Středohořský tunel - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "Krušnohorský tunel - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ Czech section
- ^ "VRT Poohří - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "VRT Východní Čechy - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "VRT Podkrkonoší - www.spravazeleznic.cz". www.spravazeleznic.cz. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "SŽDC Accelerates Preparation of Rapid Service on Our Territory - www.szdc.cz". www.szdc.cz. Retrieved 2019-10-18.
- ^ Sůra, Jan (2018-04-23). "Polabí či Moravská Brána. SŽDC začala řešit "izolované" vysokorychlostní tratě". zdopravy.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2019-10-18.
- ^ TechNet: Česká železnice se připravuje na 200 km/h. Hrozí nám „španělská“ nehoda?
- ^ 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.
- ^ VÚŹ: Zkušební centrum VUZ Velim
- ^ aktuálně.cz: Plán supertratě krachl, železnice přišla o 70 miliard
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Vlakem na Slovensko". České dráhy. 2018. Retrieved 2018-07-15.
- ^ "Locomotive Emil Zátopek". www.skoda.cz. Škoda Transportation a.s. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
- ^ "[image]". Archived from the original on 2007-03-29. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
- ^ "Registration Details". Europa. European Railway Agency. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- High-speed rail in Europe
- Passenger rail transport in the Czech Republic