PESA Bydgoszcz SA has unveiled a sleeping car ordered for use on PKP InterCity’s EuroNight services. It is designed to offer a high standard of comfort for passengers, with improved reliability for the operator.
The vehicle can accommodate up to 28 passengers and one attendant. There are eight three-berth compartments, configurable for first, second or tourist class use, and a pair of two-berth ’Class A’ business class compartments. Individual seats are provided for day use, and doors permit the compartments to be linked for groups travelling together. Class A offers a private toilet, refrigerator, television and DVD player.
Each compartment has an alarm to call the attendant. Cameras in the corridors provide security, and there are electronic fire alarms. Passenger information is provided through internal and external electronic displays. Evac Compact retention toilets are located at each end of the car. One of the toilets includes a shower, and is designed for disabled accessibility.
The interior is assembled from modular glass fibre components developed by PESA, with various textures and colourings available to suit a particular operator’s specifications. The carriage is air-conditioned and electrically heated, with individual temperature controls. Fixed and hopper windows are fitted, along with pneumatic plug doors.
The structure is based on the heavily rebuilt frames and body of a Z2 coach, and is claimed to cost 60% of the price of a new vehicle. PKP InterCity placed an initial order for three coaches, and has longer-term plans to order around 30 sleeping cars to replace its existing fleet. The first three cars are fitted with gauge-changable SUW 2000 wheelsets and 25AN/S5 bogies, for use on an overnight Krakow - Kyiv service to be introduced later this year. It is suitable for 160 km/h running, or 200 km/h with different bogies. PESA is currently upgrading three Ukrainian cars to a similar standard.
