škoda 2024

1/2004

End Of The Line For ICE-TD?
The expiry of the 2002/3 timetable meant the definitive demise of DB’s tilting ICE diesel units after just two and a half years of operation. The reason given was their lack of reliability, although by the autumn of 2003 it looked as though the teething troubles which had been plaguing these trains had finally been ironed out, with the result that the travelling public would at last be offered a reliable service of high quality. There is however more than one facet to the complicated ICE-TD saga, as we relate in our article...
Unit 605 003 at Hof depot. This unit suffered an axle brake not far from Hof in December 2002. In the distance can be seen 612 155 and 170.
Photo: Martin Nožička
ČD Pendolino Ventured Onto National Network
On 19 January 2004, for the first time since entering the Cerhenice testing centre (ŽZO) in late June 2003 (see R 3/03, p. 22), the ČD Class 680 unit made a brief sortie onto ČD tracks. The reason for this was a visit to Nymburk depot, 30 km distant, since this establishment possesses a wheel profiling lathe. The unit was back at Cerhenice on 22 January. Also another up-to-date information on these units can be found in the concerning report...
On its return from Nymburk on 22 January 2004, 680.001 nears the end of its journey as it enters Velim station.
Photo: Petr Kadeřávek
Austrian Assistance For Bratislava Independent Operator
On 12 December 2003, under an agreement signed in Wien by ÖBB and BRKS, the new Slovakian independent operator, acquired, on hire, diesel locomotives 2143 017 and 2143 020 and a rake of four type Bp coaches, thus at the eleventh hour securing material with which to provide a new passenger service diagram.
On weekdays it is not uncommon to see one of the Class 830 railcars attached to the tail of train Os 2310, composed of ÖBB stock and hauled by one of the Class 2143s. On 19 December 2003, in the vicinity of Devinské jazero, 830.180 on the rear of the composition headed by 2143 017 running for its afternoon Zohor - Rohožník service.
Photo: Marián Dujnič
Stadler Holds Special Seminar Event
The town of Arbon, on the Swiss shore of the Bodensee, is situated conveniently close to both the Stadler factories. On 21 November 2003 the train manufacturer organised here a special seminar in order to present its range of GTW units to the widest possible spectrum of current and potential customers and business partners, as well as to the technical press. Stadler specialists then gave a series of technical talks during which the whole range of GTW units received attention...
The THURBO unit, 526 702, is passed by one of the first generation GTW 2/6 trains, 526 685, also owned by THURBO but still carrying the MThB livery. The photo was taken at Kreuzlingen, where the new THURBO unit was one of the exihibts of the display held there as a part of the seminar.
Photo: Petr Kadeřávek
FICAS Discovering Space
FICAS stands for Fully Integrated Carbody Assembly System - a radical new approach to the bodyshell construction of passenger-carrying rail vehicles. It offers significant ergonomic advantages for travellers, coupled with a reduction in the tare weight of vehicles. This latest invention by Bombardier Transportation was unveiled in May 2003 during the UITP exhibition in Madrid, and promises to revolutionise the passenger capacity of rail vehicles, as well as the techniques involved in the construction of these.
The first FICAS C20 metro unit at the Storstockholms Lokaltrafik depot in July 2003.
Photo: Bombardier Transportation
Second Life For Czech Diesels
After a slow start at the turn of the millenium, Italy is now steadily developing as a country in which the rail network is being opened up to independent operators of both passenger and freight services. As in other countries where private operators have sought to establish a niche in the national market, the newcomers have opted for the acquisition of secondhand locomotives in order to provide themselves with traction in return for a relatively low initial financial outlay. The potential Italian market for secondhand locomotives was quickly recognised by ČMKS Holding of Nymburk in the Czech Republic.
D 753.730 and 731, destined to become D753.703 and 704 for HUPAC Italia, awaiting acceptance test run at the ČMKS - Lokomotivy factory in Česká Třebová on 5 February 2004. On the right is D 753.722, which will eventually become DE 520-13 for Ferrovie Nord Cargo.
Photo: Tomáš Kuchta
Class 66 - Locomotive Without Borders
Rugged, reliable, and popular. The GM-EMD design JT42CWR, well-known as Class 66, is becoming a common sight on rail networks throughout Europe. In the, by GM-EMD engineers written article, you can read detailed description of the conception of these machines, as well as the necessary certification procedures for their operation in Europe, and all about what lies inside that distinctive, austere, corrugated bodyshell.
EWS is where the Class 66 story has its roots, and with 250 locomotives leased from Angel Trains, the British company is the clear European leader in terms of fleet size. In this view, 66181 passes Bredicot, near Worcester, heading the Longbridge to Swindon automotive components empties on 7 April 2003.
Photo: Bob Sweet
And much more!
Cover of 1/2004
Poster

Features: one of the former D Class 753 diesels, which are being modernized by ČMKS-Lokomotivy for Italian private operators.