Alstom to install ETCS on 73 Czech trains
ČD Telematika has commissioned Alstom to supply and install the European Train Control System (ETCS) on 7 high-speed Pendolino vehicles and for 66 electric vehicles. The ETCS system will be supplemented by national functionalities to allow trains operation in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia.
The seven Pendolino high-speed trains in service for České dráhy are built by Alstom itself, and will now be equipped by the latest ETCS system of the French supplier, ETCS Level 2 Baseline 3. The 66 electric double-decker trains also to be equipped with the digital signalling system were built by Škoda Vagonka.
ETCS Level 2 allows for a continuous digital radio communication (GSM-R) with train movements based on signalling block occupation detection by the trackside system. ČD Telematika is a provider in the field of railway technologies for security and communication such as GSM-R, and operates its own optical network in the Czech Republic.
“ČD Telematika is one of the leaders in the field of retrofitting driving vehicles with the European Train Control System ETCS. We are really pleased to join forces with the leading ETCS supplier, Alstom, for the retrofitting of two of ČD’s major series, namely the 680 Pendolino and the 471 series known as CityElefant,” says Jan Hobza, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ČD Telematika.
Alstom’s signalling facility in the Belgian city of Charleroi will be responsible for the engineering of the various signalling systems and for the delivery of the on-board equipment. Alstom will also provide maintenance for a 10-year period, including spare parts and repairs.
ČD Telematika is currently also working on retrofitting 30 multi-system electric locomotives of the 363.5 series of the carrier ČD Cargo. The Czech Republic plans to have exclusive operation under ETCS on selected backbone corridors from 1 January 2025. The exclusive operation mode means that these lines will no longer be accessible to driving vehicles without ETCS on-board units.
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