CZ LOKO Has Finished Modernisation of Fourteen 742 Class Locomotives for ČD

České dráhy has already received back all 14 locomotives of the 742 class, which it sent to CZ LOKO for the purpose of their complete modernisation. This has happened virtually one year before the binding deadline, because the contract for more than CZK 684 million supposed completion of the last vehicle only in November 2024.

“The acceleration of this series of modernisation works was virtually the only way of how to maintain the economics of the project at least partially within realistic limits. At that time, just after the signing of the contract, 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. This way we have managed to avoid such unfavourable developments. Undoubtedly to the satisfaction of our customer who could use the vehicles earlier,” says Jan Kutálek, Member of the Board of Directors and Sales Director of CZ LOKO.

In a record-breaking time, the company managed to cope with the change of the ETCS system supplier after Alstom unexpectedly and uncompromisingly discontinued production of the EBICAB system used in this locomotive class. That is why CZ LOKO switched to the new AURIGA system from CAF, the well-known Spain-based manufacturer.

“We had to perform all the integration and testing from scratch and this is not easy at all. We are currently planning the switchover to the Switch-On mode on the series locomotives where we are deploying the Spanish system as well,” said Jan Kutálek. The vehicle is then fully eligible for live commercial operation under the ETCS system on the domestic railway network.

“The comprehensive modernisation of the 742 class locomotives to the EffiShunter 1000M is a part of our Strategy 2030, in which we are to renew a significant part of our rolling stock,” says Jiří Ješeta, Member of the Board of Directors and Deputy Director General of ČD for Passenger Transport. He highly appreciates the fact that CZ LOKO managed to implement the order in difficult external conditions at the original price and ahead of the planned schedule. “Unfortunately, such prompt contract performance is quite rare among our suppliers,” he stressed.

These locomotives will be used by České dráhy for outputs on independent traction on the corridors equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS). The operation under its exclusive supervision will be ensured on the selected railway network from January 2025.

“The modernisation extends the service life of the locomotives while substantially increasing the comfort and safety of work of our employees, simplifying maintenance works and reducing emissions,” said Jiří Ješeta.

The technologically demanding modernisation of the 742 class to the 743.2 class, for which CZ LOKO uses the commercial name “EffiShunter 1000M”, makes the ČKD locomotives from 1977 to 1988 virtually new first-class machines. They are also equipped with an online monitoring system and diagnostics and with a new generation of traction and auxiliary equipment. Only the bogies and the main frame remain original, nevertheless even these parts are undergoing a major overhaul and many modifications. The 1000 kW power output of the internal combustion engine allows a top speed of 100 km/h.

In the past, CZ LOKO has already succeeded in the same project at ČD Cargo, for which it modernised 50 locomotives of this series between 2018 and 2022, with another 25 locomotives to be delivered by the end of 2024. Another 20 machines are also being modernised for ZS Cargo Slovakia. Other vehicles are owned by such carriers as CER, Rail Cargo Carrier or Ostrava-based ODOS.