A fox is running towards Tábor, but it is not carrying a bag of ginger, as the famous Czech song goes on, but it is teaching train drivers to operate the new diesel units which are to take over passenger transport outputs on several regional railway lines in the South Bohemian Region in the upcoming months. The first RegioFox, also popularly known just as the “fox”, arrived at the Tábor depot during the weekend and from this day it has been used for the training of workshop staff in the depot, train crews and drivers so that all České dráhy’s employees can be prepared in advance for the launching of a regular operation of the modern, barrier-free RegioFox diesel units.
“The Tábor depot is the future home for seven modern RegioFox diesel units, which are to be dispatched by us on trains from Tábor to Písek and Strakonice after the opening of the new bridge over the Vltava River near Červená. Until then, they will temporarily run on the railway line from Veselí nad Lužnicí to České Velenice. In order to put the new trains into operation as soon as possible after their takeover from the manufacturer, we have already started the training courses for our colleagues from Tábor in advance on one Central Bohemian unit, which is in trial operation,” says Jiří Ješeta, Member of the Board of Directors of České dráhy and Deputy Director General for Passenger Transport, and adds: “The first RegioFox unit arrived at Tábor during the weekend and is already serving for the training of train crews and train drivers in Tábor. Within the framework of the comprehensive training of our staff, the services on which it should run have been determined. The diesel unit has already started to operate its first train from Tábor to Olbramovice this morning.”
The RegioFox units are wheelchair-accessible, air-conditioned trains equipped with additional services for comfortable travelling to work, school or leisure activities, such as on-board Wi-Fi network system, electrical sockets and USB connectors for charging travel electronics, compartments for large luggage, including prams and bicycles, or an audiovisual information system. The traction vehicles are equipped with Rolls-Royce engines with the ability to use the latest generation of environment-friendly HVO fuels.
The manufacturer of the RegioFox diesel units, also popularly known as “fox”, is the Poland-based company “PESA” in Bydgoszcz. Currently, the supplier is working on assurance of their approval on the part of the Rail Authority, which is necessary to be issued before the handing over of the vehicles to the carrier. Once the vehicles have been approved and taken over by České dráhy, they will be put into operation this year on the railway lines in the South Bohemian, Central Bohemian, Hradec Králové, Pardubice and Pilsen Regions, as well as in the Vysočina (Highlands) Region and in Prague. A total of 106 RegioFox diesel units have now been ordered.
The RegioFox diesel units are designated as the 847 class. They are approximately 44 metres long, weigh over 80 tonnes and offer a total of 115 seats. Their maximum travel speed is 120 km/h and their power output is 750 kW. They are equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) and GSM-R radio communication system. There are already 14 modern RegioPanter electric units running in the South Bohemian Region, and this year they will be supplemented with 5 more electric trainsets of the same type and with 7 RegioFox diesel units.
Author: Tiskové oddělení Českých drah
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