CZECH REPUBLIC: The reopening of the 2·7 km Hrušovany u Brna – Židlochovice branch more than 40 years after scheduled passenger services ended in June 1979 was marked by the operation of a steam-hauled inaugural train on December 8, ahead of the start of regular services from the December 15 timetable change.
The KC689m reinstatement of the line for 80 km/h operation was agreed in 2014 and partly funded from EU sources.
The work undertaken by Subterra and OHL ŽS included realignment to reduce the length of the route from 2·97 km to 2·7 km, installation of 25 kV 50 Hz electrification equipment, and resignalling and remodelling Hrušovany station to allow the operation of direct passenger trains from Brno.
There are 28 trains each way between Brno and Židlochovice on weekdays, with a journey time of 25 min.
