In summer 2008 we toured PESA’s works in Bydgoszcz. On 7 December 2010 we paid a return visit. Changes have taken place. Two years ago the halls were mainly occupied by Class ED74 Bydgostia EMUs. Now, their place has been taken by their successors, the Class EN76 ELFs. Moreover, construction of SWING trams for various Polish operators is in full swing.
This is the first Acatus II EMU for Województwo Malopolskie. Although the Acatus II bears a greater family resemblance to the ELF than to the original batch of Acatus EMUs, and also incorporates a good many components which are common to the ELF, it does not have impact absorbing elements in its front ends. Województwo Malopolskie explicitly requested that these should not be fitted, so as to keep costs down, but, it does not comply with the TSI Crash standard. In fact the Acatus II costs around 20 % less (4.8 million EUR) than an ELF does, yet is of similar specifications, for
3 kV DC operation, a top speed of 160 km/h, and a power rating of 2,000 kW.
Photo: Tomáš Kuchta