Škoda Transportation receives certification for high-speed trains for Germany

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Photo: Škoda Transportation.
Photo: Škoda Transportation.
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Škoda Transportation has received TSI European certification from notified body Eisenbahn Cert for its high-speed trains for DB Regio.

The TSI certificate is for both its 109E3 locomotives and modern bi-level, high-speed Munich-Nuremberg Express trains, which will replace the old InterCity units from next spring. The full launch of the entire fleet of new trains is expected in June 2019.

Škoda chair and CEO Petr Brzezina said: “Škoda is therefore part of the world’s elite in high-speed railroad transport.

“By issuing this certificate, we celebrate the extraordinary success of the homologation process, which we expect to be finalised in the beginning of 2019 when the train should be finally approved.

“Completing this technically and financially challenging project is priority of the new board of the company under the new owner – investment and financial group PPF – and will in the future support our business plans on the European market.”

Škoda Transportation has manufactured six high-capacity bi-level trains, including six locomotives.

These push-pull trains are designed for operation on the Nuremberg – Ingolstadt – Munich route, being able to cover the distance in 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Škoda Transportation vice-president of sales Zdeněk Majer added: “The supply of the trains has been postponed by more than two years.

“The main reason for the delay was the challenging development of pressure-tight wagons, as well as tests of whole trains, which will be in close proximity to ICE trains moving at a speed of 300 km/h in normal operation.

“Now the project for high-speed, bi-level trains for DB Regio users is almost finished, and the first passengers will be riding in Škoda trains in the spring of next year.”


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