POLAND: PKP Intercity has taken delivery of 10 restaurant cars which have been refurbished and modernised at the H Cegielski FPS plant in Poznań.
Forming part of a mid-life heavy maintenance programme which also included the modernisation of Type 145Ab compartment coaches, the work has been undertaken under a 61·3m złoty contract awarded in 2019. The manufacturer will also be responsible for regular maintenance of the vehicles over the next 18 months.
The 160 km/h restaurant cars have been equipped with air conditioning and free wi-fi as well as signal amplifiers to improve mobile phone reception. Each coach offers 12 tables and 36 seats, along with luggage storage and coat hanging racks. Braille signage is provided to assist visually impaired passengers.
‘Supplementing our rolling stock with 10 modern restaurant cars will allow us to provide high-quality gastronomic services’, explained Adam Laskowski, PKP Intercity management board member responsible for investment. ‘We attach great importance to ensuring that traveling by our trains is safe and comfortable.’
‘Despite the difficulties due to the pandemic, we were able to complete the contract before the agreed date’, added Małgorzata Rogalewicz, acting Chair of the H Cegielski FPS management board. ‘I am convinced that the modernised vehicles, offering many modern and comfortable facilities, will serve PKP Intercity well.’
The restaurant car refurbishment follows the modernisation of 90 Type 11A second-class compartment coaches which have been equipped with air conditioning, new seats, electrical outlets and an electronic passenger information system, being redesignated as Type 174A. That work was completed at the end of 2019, five months ahead of schedule.
H Cegielski is currently building 81 new coaches for PKP Intercity at a cost of 700m złoty, with the first on course to be delivered in 2021. These air-conditioned vehicles will also be equipped with electric outlets and wi-fi.
