Pendolino (680 series Czech Railways)
This article presents the high-speed train “Pendolino” of 680 series operated by the Czech Railways. In Czech republic the tilting express train consists of seven carriages. Czech Railways operate them as SuperCity (SC) category. All seven sets belong to the Prague rolling stock depot. The trains are connecting cities of Ostrava in the east and Cheb in the west and was recently extended up to famous spa city of Carlsbad.
History of Pendolino for Czech Railways
In 1993 the government of Czech Republic started major renovation of the route Decin – Prague – Ceska Trebova – Brno- Breclav which is part of IV. international corridor Berlin – Prague – Vienna. It was necessary to develop new fast trains that could operate the entire route without the need to change locomotives and to bring higher level of comfort. The concept proposal considered tilting train sets working under three different supply systems: 3 kV DC, 25 kV/50 Hz and 15 kV/16.7 Hz. The tender was won by a consortium consisting of CKD Praha, MSV Studenka, Fiat Ferroviaria and Siemens AG. Due to internal issues of CKD the project got a significant delay. Moreover, CKD company bankrupted in 1999 and the manufacturing was taken over by Fiat Ferroviaria that soon became Alstom Ferroviaria. New train sets were abbreviated from Italian ETR 470 Cisalpino. Pendolino for Czech Railways was manufactured in Italian town of Savigliano. First train set arrived in Prague in June 2003, last set was received in November 2005.
Technical data of Pendolino
Seven carriage express tilting train
Manufacturer: Alstom Ferroviaria, Alstom Sesto
Traction: 3 kV DC & 25 kV/50 Hz & 15 kV/16.7 Hz
Year of manufacturing: 2003-2005
Rated continuous power: 4’000 kW
Maximum speed: 230 km/h
Maximum acceleration: 0.41 m/s²
Pantograph: 4 pieces/train (Schunk semi-pantograph)
Czech Pendolino uses the tilting technology used in original Pendolino high-speed trains operated in Italy. Due to tilting feature, the pantographs are not fixed mounted on the roof but use movable consoles.
Traction transformer and power electronics
Each train set is equipped with two oil-filled traction transformers including expansion vessels and coolers. When operated in alternating current traction, two 4-quadrant active rectifiers are utilized. Three-phase traction inverter features gate turn-off (GTO)¹ thyristors. Semiconductor modules are liquid cooled.
¹ GTO thyristors are predecessors of IGCT thyristors
Traction motors
There are total 8 traction motors Alstom Sesto MTA 6/550 weighting 1668 kg. Three-phase asynchronous motors are self-ventilated. Motors are supplied from traction inverter. One pair of motors is always parallel connected.
Electrodynamic brake
Pendolino is equipped with a powerful electrodynamic brake that can be operated either in resistive (chopper) or regenerative regime. In 3 kV DC system the regeneration is used up to 3.45 kV of traction voltage. After exceeding this threshold, a resistive braking is automatically activated. When supplied from 15 kV/16.7 Hz regenerative braking is the dominant braking mode.
Continuous power of electrodynamic brake is 2’400 kW, maximum braking power is 4’100 kW.
Typical train composition
No. 1: 2nd class carriage
No. 2: 1st class carriage
No. 3: 2nd class carriage / bistro carriage
No. 4: 2nd class carriage / space for oversize baggage and bicycles
No. 5: 2nd class carriage
No. 6: 2nd class carriage
No. 7: 2nd class carriage
Routes of Pendolino
In the past years Pendolino trains were servicing the main route from Prague to Ostrava and was extended up to Kosice in the eastern part of Slovakia.
In 2021, the Pendolino high-speed trains connect Bohumin with Prague and continues to Pilsen and the spa cities in West Bohemia Marienbad and Carlsbad.
This route became extremely popular and especially on weekends the train is quite well occupied. Therefore, we recommend to make an optional seat reservation.
- Bohumin
- Ostrava main station
- Ostrava Svinov
- Olomouc main station
- Pardubice main station
- Prague Liben
- Prague main station
- Prague Smichov
- Pilsen main station
- Pilsen Jizni Predmesti
- Stribro
- Plana at Marienbad
- Marienbad
- Lazne Kynzvart
- Cheb
- Sokolov
- Carlsbad
The route of total 621 km takes 7 hours and 2 minutes. It is operated by Pendolino several times per day.
Another route is the mentioned connection between the Czech capital Prague and Kosice in the eastern part Slovakia.
- Kosice
- Kysak
- Poprad-Tatry
- Strba
- Liptovsky Mikulas
- Ruzomberok
- Zilina
- Cadca
- Cesky Tesin
- Ostrava main station
- Ostrava-Svinov
- Olomouc main station
- Ceska Trebova
- Pardubice main station
- Kolin
- Prague Liben
- Prague main station
The entire journey of 705 km has a total duration of 7 hours and 28 minutes. The route is currently operated by Pendolino once per day (there are multiple IC/EC trains serving the same route).
Interior of Pendolino
Pendolino recently underwent a renovation of interior. There are more comfortable seats and more space for baggage.
Services on board
You can enjoy your journey in Pendolino with following services being offered on board:
- cinema for kids
- compartment for kids with larger tables and toys
- food, snacks and drinks in restaurant carriage
- meals prepared by professional cooks
- new information system
- socket for each seat: 230 V and USB port
- stable wi-fi internet connection
- silent carriage for relaxing during journey
Final word
Pendolino of Czech Railways is a tilting high-speed train using proven technology developed by Fiat Ferroviaria in late 1980s. The Czech Pendolino trains went into commercial operation in 2005. Although it is not the latest technology anymore, the trains (after initial issues) got a good reputation due to their high reliability. Pendolino enables fast train connection between Ostrava and Prague with connection up to Kosice in eastern Slovakia or Marienbad and Carlsbad in western Bohemia. Due to high competition of the national operator Czech Railways with multiple private companies the fare prices dropped drastically in the last few years and traveling with Pendolino is affordable and accessible to everyone.
Plan your next trip with Pendolino and make your own experience!
References
[1] E-mobility (series), https://mb-drive-services.com/category/e-mobility/
[2] Experience with IGCT based VFDs, https://mb-drive-services.com/experience-with-igct-based-vfd/
[3] Czech Railways – homepage, https://www.cd.cz/en/default.htm
[4] Atlas of locomotives, http://www.atlaslokomotiv.net/
[5] ABB traction converters, https://new.abb.com/power-converters-inverters/traction-converters
