Technology

Jan Raczyński The ED250 (Pendolino) experiences in Poland – first years of exploitation

Fot. 1. Pociąg Pendolino ED250-01. Photo. P. Jurewicz

In December 2014 the first high-speed trains in Poland we intro- According to the assumptions, the new trains were to create duced to regular operation. These trains based on the construc- a new EIP (Express Intercity Premium) name category offering tion traction units ETR610 began operating on the routes be- the highest quality in terms of comfort and travel time. tween Warsaw and Gdansk, Krakow and Katowice. They gained The other categories PKP Intercity trains that it was supposed great popularity among travelers caused a radical increase num- to operate are: ber of passengers and became synonymous with modernity on Polish railways.

History of the project The first concepts to purchase the high speed trains were estab- lished in Poland between 1994 and 1997. Despite the choice of trains producer in 1999, the contract was abandoned. In 2006–2007 the new PKP Intercity strategy for purchasing of rolling stock was prepared. In meantime in 2008 the program of development of the high speed railway program in Poland was adopted. Between five potential producers only one offer to deliver the rolling stock was submitted. Contract between Alstom and PKP Intercity was signed in 2011. The first train for the test was delivered in 2013. After tests the first high speed train in Poland launched the regular service in 2014. The project principles The decision on the purchase of high-speed trains was a part of the program for construction and commissioning of high speed railways in Poland [6]. The program assumed that maximum speed on line CMK South from Warsaw to Krakow and Katowice will increase to 250km/h and on part of the length of the line from Warsaw to Gdansk to 200 km/h [4]. Fig. 1. Routes of ED250 trains in timetable 2018/2019

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Tab. 1. ED250 technical parameters Parameter Data Class ED250 Maximum speed 250 km/h Number of coaches 7 Axles arragement (1A’ A1’)–(1A’ A1’)–(2’ 2’)–(2’ 2’)–(2’ 2’)– (1A’ A1’)–(1A’ A1’) Traction power 5500 kW (8 x 708 kW) Length of train 187,4 m Axle load 14 300–16 800 kg Mass 395,5 t -- 25 kV 50 Hz Traction supply -- 15 kV 16,7 Hz --3 kV DC Number of seats 402 (341 – 2 class and 45 – 1 class) plus 2 for PRM On-board control command ERTM level 2 system Producer Alstom

¡¡ EIC – Express Intercity (Z2 coaches hauled by locomotive, Driver cab. Photo Sz. Dąbrowski 160 km/h); ¡¡ IC – Intercity (new emu + new or modernised coaches, 160 km/h); ¡¡ TLK – conventional coaches. Since 2014 the ED250 routes has undergone several chang- es resulting from the development of marketing concepts. In the current timetable from December 2017 these trains run in the following relations (Fig. 1): ¡¡ Warsaw–Gdansk–Kolobrzeg, ¡¡ Warsaw–Krakow–Rzeszow, ¡¡ Warsaw–Katowice–Bielsko-Biala/Gliwice, ¡¡ Warsaw–Wloszczowa–Czestochowa–Opole–Wroclaw–Jelenia Gora. Technical parameters of ED250 ED250 trains are electric multiply units consisting from 7 coach- es. They are not equipped in tilting mechanism. The technical parameters of the unit are presented in table 1. Tests and i speed record The necessary tests for certification process, were done with speed 250 km/h +10% (275 km/h). The tests took place in the southern section of CMK line [3]. 2.class. Photo Sz. Dąbrowski

1.class. Photo P. Jurewicz

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Bar. Photo Sz. Dąbrowski Maintenance facility in Warszawa Grochów. Photo J. Raczyński

In 24 November 2013 was reach 293 km/h which is: ¡¡ Availability (required by contract): 0,95. ¡¡ Speed record on Polish network (former record 250,1 km/h ¡¡ 9 trains had planned maintenance revision level 4. from 1994 by ETR460 Pendolino). Other notice: ¡¡ World record for 3 kV DC traction system. ¡¡ During operation there were no technical difficulties. ¡¡ Record for Pendolino trains family (former record 283 km/h). ¡¡ There were several accidents on level crossing, one of them was a serious crash with lorry with speed over 100 km/h and Maintenance of trains the train waits for the repair by producer. The contract with Alstom signed In 2011 covers: ¡¡ In some trains were noticed damages by flying ballast – ac- ¡¡ Delivery of 20 trains – cost of each is 20 m EUR (with EU cidents are under investigation. funds support). ¡¡ Maintenance of trains (level 1, 2, 3, 4) by producer within References: 16 years – cost of 1,95 EUR per 1 km. 1. Dyr T., Strategia rozwoju transeuropejskiej sieci transportowej, ¡¡ Training of PKP Intercity staff etc. „Technika Transportu Szynowego” 2012, nr 1–2. The new maintenance facility (for level 1, 2, 3) was financed 2. Massel A., Dostosowanie Centralnej Magistrali Kolejowej do du- by PKP Intercity with EU funds support. Maintenance facility is żych prędkości jazdy, „Technika Transportu Szynowego”, 2015, located in Warsaw Grochow Station. nr 4. 3. Pomykała A., 293 km/h – nowy rekord prędkości na polskich Commercial results torach, „Technika Transportu Szynowego” 2013, nr 12. The new trains were put into service in December 2014. Project 4. Pomykała A., Realizacja programu przygotowania i uruchomie- has been successful: nia przewozów kolejami dużych prędkości, „Technika Transportu ¡¡ Train service has been approved by passengers. Szynowego”, 2017, nr 6. ¡¡ Passenger’s satisfaction is very high. 5. Raczyński J., Projekt kolei dużych prędkości w Polsce w kontek- ¡¡ The number of passengers is constantly growing and opera- ście trendów rozwojowych kolei w Europie, „Technika Transportu tion are proven to be profitable. Szynowego” 2015, nr 4. The same passengers service quality was implemented in 6. Uchwała Nr 276/2008 Rady Ministrów z 19 grudnia 2008 r. other newly bought Intercity trains. w sprawie przyjęcia strategii ponadregionalnej „Programu bu- The plans for development of ED250 service are still actual. dowy i uruchomienia przewozów kolejami dużych prędkości The main task is reduction of travel time through the implemen- w Polsce”. tation of subsequent infrastructure investments. In the next stages, are planned increasing the maximum speed of the line Jan Raczyński Warszawa – Gdansk up to 200 km/h and later on CMK line from Jan Raczyński from 2014 Project Manager for Strategic and Research in Railway Institute in Warsaw. Warszawa to Katowice and Krakow (higher than 200 km/h). From 2011 Member of Intercity & High Speed Committee in UIC From 2005 Speaker and deputy speaker in European Rail- Exploitation way Agency designated by CER. In 2001-2009 Project manager for development of rolling From December 2014: stock and interoperability in PKP CARGO. In 2009-2011 Direc- ¡¡ Mileage of all trains: 23 million km. tor of High Speed Department in PKP PLK S.A. ¡¡ Average km per train 1,15 million. In 2011-2014 Director responsible for strategy and development including rolling ¡¡ Reliability rate (required by contract): 0,96. stock and interoperability in PKP Intercity.

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