- ČD Class 471
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ČD Class 471
CityElefantIn service 2000 — present Manufacturer Škoda Vagonka Constructed 1997 – present Number built 70 units (83 ordered) Number in service 70 units (April 2011) Capacity 287 2nd class, 23 1st class Operator Czech Railways Specifications Maximum speed 140 km/h (87 mph) Weight 155.4 tonnes (343,000 lb) Power output 2,000 kW (2,682 hp) UIC classification Bo’Bo’+ 2’2’+ 2’2’ Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Standard gauge The Class 471 electric motor unit is a double deck electric multiple unit operated by ČD in the Czech Republic. It consists mostly of three cars: the class 471 power car itself, the class 071 normal car and the class 971 control car. The class 471 was manufactured by Škoda Holding. Commonly, the class is known as CityElefant, but the railway fans prefer the nickname Ešus, derived from the colloquial name of the mess kit, which are in the Czech Republic traditionally three-piece and made from aluminum, just like the EMU. Currently, they are used for suburban traffic near Prague and Ostrava and experimentally for long-distance trains between Prague and Český Těšín.
The success of these EMUs in the Czech Republic has led to Lithuanian Railways ordering a variant of it, differing from the Czech one in gauge, using alternate current and maximum speed increased to 160 km/h (99 mph). Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko has ordered ten units of a bi-system variant. A railway operator in Ukraine has ordered two units of six cars version.
Gallery
471 Czech railway motor car The whole unit in Beroun railway station, October 2006Second class saloon, lower floorSecond class saloon, upper floorSecond class saloon, mezzanineFirst class saloon, upper floor of the electric carLifting platform for immobile personsReferences
- Handl, Erich (January 14, 2008). "Government approves splitting off passenger transport from Czech Railways". Czech Business Weekly. http://www.cbw.cz/en/government-approves-splitting-off-passenger-transport-from-czech-railways/6599.html?search=dráhy. Retrieved 2008-11-08. "Next year, ČD is planning to purchase eight suburban CityElefant train units..."[dead link]
- Hulpachová, Markéta (August 1, 2007). "Hitting the junction. Government greenlights plan to spin off ČD's freight division". The Prague Post. http://www.praguepost.com/articles/2007/08/01/hitting-the-junction.php. Retrieved 2008-11-08. "A portion of the loan has been used for the purchase of nine new CityElefant passenger trains for regional transport, replacing the trains’ earlier versions..."
- ČD Class 471(Railway Technology.com)
- "Drahy will invest in a car fleet.". Access Czech Republic Business Bulletin via Europe Intelligence Wire. October 23, 2006. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-23821373_ITM. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
External links
- Škoda Holding - Suburban EMU CityElefant - Skoda Transportation s.r.o. = Double-deck EMUs CityElefant are intended for fast suburban transport
- Skulina, Ivan. "Nejmodernější nádražní budova, historická památka a City Elefant" (in Czech). České dráhy. http://www.cd.cz/static/old/NEW/TCD2006/6_27city.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-08.[dead link]
- Zbyněk Zlinský: Řídicí vozy na našich kolejích: řada 971, www.vlaky.net, 7. 4. 2007
- Rostislav Jančar: City Elefant - pantograf, který je lepší než Pendolino technet.idnes.cz, 5. 6. 2008
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