CZECH REPUBLIC: Two wiring projects were completed on the national network in September, totalling 38 route-km.
On September 9, infrastructure manager SŽ completed wiring of the 29 km single-track line from Olomouc to Uničov. The line is energised at 3 kV DC, but with provision for future conversion to 25 kV 50 Hz. Partly funded from EU sources, the KC3·9bn electrification scheme was undertaken by Subterra, OHL ŽS, Eurovia and EŽ Praha. The work also involved track renewals and refurbishment of four stations.
The route becomes the first regional railway in the country to be cleared for 160 km/h running and equipped with ETCS. From 2023 passenger services will be worked by ČD’s new three-car RegioPanter EMUs supplied by Škoda Transportation. Taken together, the enhancements will offer a journey time between Olomouc and Uničov of 17 min.
Meanwhile, SŽ is continuing to electrify the 29 km route from Uničov to Šumperk via Libina. This KC3bn project is due for completion next year.
The second route to go live was the 8·5 km double-track corridor running west from Brno-Horní Heršpice to Střelice, which was energised on September 21. This line has been electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz by Skanska and EŽ Praha within a budget of KC2·9bn, also co-funded from EU sources. Track renewals have enabled the line speed to be increased to 120 km/h.
Newly-built stations at Starý Lískovec and Ostopovice are due to open with the timetable change on December 12, but electric services will not start until double-tracking and electrification of the 10·5 km section west from Střelice to Zastávka u Brna has been completed. Work here is due to start in the spring of next year; once finished, control of the route will transfer to an integrated control centre at Brno.
