All Czech Republic articles
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NewsTurnout manufacturer highlights engineering career opportunities
CZECH REPUBLIC: Turnout manufacturer DT Výhybkárna a Strojírna is collaborating with secondary schools and universities to offer a scholarship programme, internships and factory tours. These educational activities will show students its production process and the results of key projects, including its development of high speed turnouts. ...
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NewsCzech long-distance passenger train operating contracts awarded
CZECH REPUBLIC: The Ministry of Transport has awarded Arriva Vlaky a KC3·03bn contract to operate long-distance passenger services on the Praha – Plzeň – Cheb and Praha – Plzeň – Klatovy/Železná Ruda routes for 15 years from the December 2028 timetable change. The bids to operate ...
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NewsPraha cross-city rail tunnel plans firm up
CZECH REPUBLIC: The Ministry of Transport has selected a preferred design option for two railway tunnels to be built under Praha with a total length of 10·6 km.
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NewsSelf-monitoring turnout research targets safety and reliability
CZECH REPUBLIC: Track component manufacturer DT-Výhybkárna a strojírna has launched a three-year research project aimed at developing an ‘autonomous turnout’ which can monitor its own condition and predict any problems before they can cause a failure. Emphasising that turnouts are among the most heavily stressed infrastructure ...
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NewsŠkoda Group orders ABB traction batteries
CZECH REPUBLIC: ABB is to supply Škoda Group with its newly introduced Pro Series traction batteries for installation in a fleet of battery-electric multiple-units being produced for Czech national operator České Dráhy. The order with a book value of just under US$20m was confirmed in Q4 ...
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Metro Report InternationalTram on test as Praha network grows ‘like mushrooms after rain’
CZECH REPUBLIC: The first ForCity Plus 52T tram for Praha is now on test at Škoda Group’s Plzeň factory, 13 months after the signing of the order and eight months after the start of production. ‘After almost 20 years, Praha is getting a completely new type ...
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NewsLeo Express trains to be converted for dual-voltage operation
CZECH REPUBLIC: Leo Express has awarded original manufacturer Stadler a contract to convert its five 3 kV DC Flirt electric multiple-units to also use 25 kV 50 Hz electrification. The dual-voltage capability will enable Leo Express to continue operations on the Prague – Ostrava route after ...
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In depthComment: A waning appetite for competition
While the EU’s third and fourth railway packages sought to liberalise the passenger rail sector within the bloc and influence it beyond, the establishment of a competitive dynamic within the European market seems less assured than it has for some time, argues Executive Editor Nick Kingsley.
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NewsNew Schwarzenberský Bridge allows higher speeds and train weights
CZECH REPUBLIC: Infrastructure manager SŽ has opened a 316 m long reinforced concrete bridge over the Orlík reservoir near Červená nad Vltavou on the Tábor – Písek line. The new Schwarzenberský Bridge replaces a steel structure dating from 1889 which had limited the maximum speed and ...
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In depthInterview: ČD sees fleet renewal opportunity despite ‘tedious’ approval task
Michal Krapinec, Chairman & Director General of Czech national operator České Dráhy, unveils his strategy for developing domestic and international passenger services to Toma Bačić.
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NewsState railways fined for colluding against open access operator
EUROPE: The European Commission has fined the Czech and Austrian national train operators a total of €48·7m for colluding to prevent new entrant RegioJet from acquiring second-hand rolling stock to support its growth in the Czech Republic and on the Praha – Wien route. ...
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NewsComfortJet trainsets deployed on Praha – Berlin route
EUROPE: Czech national operator České Dráhy has begun using ComfortJet long-distance trainsets on the Berliner international service from Praha to Berlin. This follows their entry into service on domestic routes in June. ‘We are symbolically starting a new phase of putting our ...
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NewsCzech manufacturer develops high speed turnout
CZECH REPUBLIC: Turnout manufacturer DT Výhybkárna Strojírna has unveiled a swing-nose crossing and switch set for high speed lines that allows through running speeds of up to 350 km/h and 230 km/h when diverging. ‘Our switches, switch structures and components are already ...
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NewsCzech narrow gauge railways to get new operators
CZECH REPUBLIC: Passenger services have restarted on part of the narrow gauge network centred on Jindřichův Hradec following financial problems at operator JHMD. Meanwhile, an agreement has been reached for operation of the Osoblaha line to be transferred from national operator ČD to a group of ...
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NewsComfortJet coaches enter service
CZECH REPUBLIC: National operator ČD has put its first set of ComfortJet inter-city coaches into revenue service. An initial set began operating on the Praha – Bohumín route on June 12, with the Bohumín – Františkovy Lázně route to follow once three sets are ready for ...
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NewsTraction innovations on show in Ostrava
CZECH REPUBLIC: One of the 18 Flirt electric multiple-units being supplied to Serbia formed the centrepiece of the Stadler presentation for the Rail Business Days 2024 trade fair at Ostrava’s Trojhalí Karolina centre.
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NewsČD orders more Škoda BEMUs as first trainset is unveiled in Ostrava
CZECH REPUBLIC: The first Škoda battery-electric multiple-unit for state operator České Dráhy was officially unveiled at the Rail Business Days trade fair in Ostrava on June 11.
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In depthCzech Republic: Ostrava link leads revised core network plan
With limited progress being made on the planned new line between Praha and Dresden, Czech infrastructure manager Správa Železnic is taking forward an initial section of high speed line in the east as part of plans to develop a 400 route-km high-performance backbone. SŽ’s Deputy Director for High Speed Lines Jiří Merta explains the state of progress to Benjámin Zelki.
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NewsInvestor sees ‘genuine growth potential’ as DB completes sale of Arriva
EUROPE: The sale of Deutsche Bahn’s non-German public transport business Arriva to I Squared Capital has been completed, the companies announced on June 3. DB said it would now focus on rail transport within Germany, while I Squared said it sees opportunities to invest in decarbonisation. ...
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NewsŠkoda Group acquires Cegelec
CZECH REPUBLIC: Škoda Group has acquired 100% of the shares of tram, metro and trolleybus electrical component supplier Cegelec from Vinci Energies. Cegelec will operate under the name Electric Components as part of the Škoda Electric business. ‘Škoda Group is undergoing long-term development, which includes strengthening ...