Czech Railways (ČD) today signed a contract for the purchase of 50 Siemens Vectron MS electric locomotives, which can run at a maximum speed of 230 kilometers per hour. The contract includes full service for 15 years. The locomotives are ready for operation on conventional and high-speed lines, Czech Railways plans to deploy them on interstate connections to Germany, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia. The manufacturer will gradually supply them from December 2025, company spokesman Lukáš Kubát announced today. He did not state the contract price.
The locomotives will be designed for express and domestic express services on high-speed lines, such as Prague-Berlin-Hamburg, Prague-Vienna-Graz or from Prague to Budapest, where sections already operating or in preparation allow speeds of 200 kilometers per hour, and higher. Thanks to the high traction power of 6.4 MW available to Vectron locomotives, they will transport express trains at speeds of up to 230 kilometers per hour.
According to Czech Railways, Czech Railways has very good experience with Vectron locomotives. They currently operate 17 Vectron locomotives from the leasing companies ELL and RSL, and another is owned by the state carrier. The machines run mainly on the route Prague – Berlin – Hamburg / Kiel and as the Slovácko Express from Prague to the Old Town near Uherské Hradiště. The Siemens Vectron locomotive type is also operated by a subsidiary of ČD Cargo within the framework of interstate transport.
“We believe that they will be followed by equally favorable references with the next generation of Vectrons with a maximum speed of 230 km / h. Kraus.
The locomotives for České dráhy will be manufactured at the Siemens Mobility plant in Munich-Allach. Gradual deliveries will begin in December 2025. In addition to the single European train protection system ETCS, they will be equipped with a GSM-R digital radio and remote diagnostics. They have equipment for operation in the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. “If necessary, it will be possible to add packages for operation in other European countries at any time,” ČD spokesman added.
Source: CTK
