ČD Class 680
| ČD Class 680 | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Refurbished First Class carriage | |
| Manufacturer | Alstom (formerly Fiat Ferroviaria) |
| Family name | Pendolino |
| Constructed | 2004 |
| Entered service | 2006 |
| Number built | Seven 7-car sets |
| Formation | see text |
| Operators | České dráhy |
| Specifications | |
| Train length | 185.3 m (607 ft 11+1⁄4 in) |
| Maximum speed |
|
| Weight | 384.0 t (377.9 long tons; 423.3 short tons) |
| Power output | Eight 490 kW (660 hp) traction motors, 3,920 kW (5,260 hp) total |
| Electric system(s) | 25 kV 50 Hz AC 15 kV 16.7 Hz AC 3,000 V DC Catenary |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
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ČD Class 680 are EMUs operating in the Czech Republic, using tilting Pendolino technology. Built by Alstom (originally Fiat Ferroviaria), they were largely based on the nine-car ETR 470. While testing from Břeclav to Brno on November 18, 2004, the Pendolino reached a speed of 237 km/h (147 mph) and created a new Czech railway speed record.[1] The units are able to operate on 25 kV 50 Hz AC, 15 kV 16.7 Hz AC and 3,000 V DC.
History
The initial Czech order for tilting trains was placed with Fiat Ferroviaria during 2000.[citation needed] As part of the Alstom take over of Fiat Ferroviaria the order was changed to Pendolino trains.[citation needed] The first set was delivered in 2004 as Pendolino ČD 680.
During the testing period, the train had problems with the Czech signaling system. The problems were reported to have been solved and the trains entered regular service in December 2005 between Prague and Ostrava. As of late January 2006, all five of the in-service trains suffered from software and operating problems, ranging from failing air conditioning and heating to malfunctions of the tilt controls. The supposedly ERTMS-compliant ATLAS control system is unable to properly connect several discrete systems, each based on different software platforms. Similar problems have also been reported with the Finnish VR Class Sm3. All problems were fixed.
In popular culture
The train was featured in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale. While in reality, the Pendolino does not actually operate the route, in the movie it was shown traveling from Switzerland to Montenegro. In the 2008 movie Wanted, the train was featured with real Czech Railways logo and equipment.
Formation
The seven car units are composed as:
| Class Nº | Type | Class |
|---|---|---|
| 681 | Driving Motor | 2nd |
| 081 | Trailer | 1st |
| 683 | Motor | Buffet 2nd |
| 084 | Trailer | 2nd |
| 684 | Motor | 2nd |
| 082 | Trailer | 2nd |
| 682 | Driving Motor | 2nd |
Cars are individually numbered, with the driving motors carrying their numbers on the nose.
Operations
In December 2006 Czech Pendolinos were given permission to operate in Slovakia and Austria.[citation needed]
In 2009 and 2011, one pair of ČD 680s operated as SuperCity Slovenská Strela between Prague and Bratislava. However, it was cancelled due to a low demand, since the train was not actually faster, but more expensive.[2][circular reference]
During 2015 ČD Pendolinos operated nine trips a day in each direction on the Prague-Pardubice-Olomouc-Ostrava route, with some continuing to Bohumín and one continuing to the Slovak city of Košice. Twice a day the service is extended from Prague to Františkovy Lázně via Plzeň.[3]
Accidents
- On December 1, 2007 a Pendolino derailed in Prague. No one was injured but the train was severely damaged.[4]
- On July 22, 2015 train SC 512 en route from Bohumín to Františkovy Lázně collided with a truck at a railway crossing. Three passengers died and 17 people were injured.
See also
References
- ^ martin (2005-02-17). "Portál Pendolino.cz - 237 km/h: Nový rychlostní rekord české železnice". Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ sk:SC Slovenská strela
- ^ http://www.scpendolino.cz/cs_CZ/kdy-kde-jede/jizdni-rad-sc-pendolino-2010/:/page.xhtml
- ^ "Pendolino v Praze vykolejilo na poškozené kolejnici" (in Czech). idnes.cz. 1 December 2007. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
External links
Media related to CZ Class 680 at Wikimedia Commons- Atlas Lokomotiv Website Czech
- Website about 680 class Czech
- fansite Czech
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