Ceske drahy to replace up to 30 class 754 locomotives
The carrier is considering the purchase of new and used locomotives.
Ceske drahy (Czech Railways) is preparing a tender for the purchase of new diesel locomotives. So far, they have announced preliminary market consultations to help the carrier set conditions for the actual tender for the purchase of new traction vehicles.
According to Ceske drahy spokesman Petr Stahlavsky, the consultations are related to the replacement of class 754 locomotives delivered in 1979 and 1980. “The new locomotives will complement our fleet of vehicles in independent traction, i.e. the 750.7 and EffiShunter 1000,” Stahlavsky said.
In the documentation, Ceske drahy proposes the acquisition of fifteen locomotives with an option for another fifteen. The carrier offered participation in preliminary market consultations not only to manufacturers, but also to leasing companies and locomotive rental companies.
In the consultations, Ceske drahy requires the minimum speed of the locomotive of 140 km/h and a power output of 2000 kW, ideally with diesel-electric power transmission. The carrier is open to the possibility of purchasing both new and used locomotives.
Ceske drahy plans to deploy the new locomotives to independent traction operations in long-distance transport on non-electrified lines. The carrier also aims to use the locomotives to deal with emergency and calamity situations when dependent traction is excluded, as was the case recently for several months following the aftermath of a tornado. The date for the tender has not yet been set.