Czech locomotive and railway vehicle repair company, CZ Loko, has completed the modernisation of fourteen 742 series rail vehicles for major railway operator, České dráhy (ČD).
The contract, worth over 684 million CZK, was achieved using the new AURIGA system from Spanish manufacturer, CAF, a modular ERTMS/ATO system.
743.2, Dalibor Palko
Equipped with online monitoring and diagnostics tools; the locomotives, which use the trade name EffiShunter 1000M, have been almost completely rebuilt, with only the original chassis and main frame remaining as part of the original build. These are set to receive an overhaul in the near future.
“Accelerating this series of upgrades was practically the only way to keep the project's economics at least partially within realistic limits. At that time, just after the contract was signed, the war in Ukraine started and the supply chains broke down.
“The prices of virtually all components rose enormously and we were facing a catastrophic scenario. We avoided it. Undoubtedly to the satisfaction of the customer who could use the vehicles earlier.”
The revamped rail vehicles are set to enter operation on corridors equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) from January 2025.
