Chinese Sirius units to test on open track in the Czech Republic
Tests of the new unit are nearing completion.
Tests of the new Chinese Sirius units are coming to a close three years after their arrival in the Czech Republic. In September or October, the new CRRC vehicles should enter regular service on open infrastructure.
This follows from the submitted capacity application. Testing outside the test track marks another major shift in the testing required for approval of the train sets.
The CRRC unit has passed all the necessary tests at the VUZ test track and may now follow up with tests on open infrastructure, said Railway Research Institute (VUZ) General Director Martin Belcik.
The Sirius units were originally ordered by Leo Express. They arrived in the Czech Republic for tests in the fall of 2019. However, the carrier withdrew from the purchase contract this spring. The tests were significantly complicated by the coronavirus pandemic. CRRC now has two units in the Czech Republic. One in five of the components used on the train came from the Czech Republic, according to Leo Express, and the control system is also Czech. Leo Express had ordered three units, with an option for 30 more, to be used for further expansion.
Edited and translated by Lucie Trávníčková.