3/2013

In the second half of September 2012 PESA handed over to ČD the first three Class 844 LINK DMUs of the 31 on order. ČD branded the LINK „RegioShark“ on account of the distinctive front end styling. In mid-June 2013 deliveries passed the halfway point, with the arrival of 844.017 from Poland.

In R 6/12 we undertook a review of events concerning the local passenger service operations in Województwo Śląskie, where all services were taken over at the start of the 2013 timetable by Koleje Śląskie. While December 2012 brought with it considerable chaos and disruption, as the new year progressed the trains which the operator had ordered were gradually delivered.

In R 3/12 we described some of the rail infrastructure developments that are taking place between Sochi, Vesyoloe and Krasnaya Polyana, the venue for the 2014 XXII Winter Olympics.

Following the Classes EP20 and 2ES5, a third version of the new generation of TMH/Alstom electric locomotives is to be developed for RZD: on 30 May 2013 Alstom, the latter’s Russian partner Transmashholding, and RZD entered into an agreement for the development of the Class 2ES20, the first modern Russian dual-voltage freight locomotive.

On 5 June 2013 TVZ presented examples of the first batch of 15 double deck passenger carriages destined for RZD subsidiary FPK. This contract, for 50 carriages of various types, was signed in December 2010, and deliveries are to continue until the end of 2013.

At its Otanmäki works, southeast of Oulu and around 500 km north of the Finnish capital, Transtech is building two new double deck carriage types for state operator VR. These driving trailers and restaurant cars will be delivered between 2013 and 2015.