The history of rail transport in the Czech Republic began in the 1820s. Railways were built primarily for the transport of freight. Periods when they were built and operated by commercial operators have alternated with periods of nationalization, public investment or government support. In 2009 the country had 9,420 km of standard gauge track, 3,153 km of which is electrified. [1]
Transport in the Czech Republic relies on several main modes, including transport by road, rail, water and air.
České dráhy, often shortened to ČD, is the major railway operator in the Czech Republic providing regional and long-distance services.
Czechoslovak State Railways was the state-owned railway company of Czechoslovakia.
The Class 471 electric motor unit, commonly known as CityElefant, is a double deck electric multiple unit operating on 3 kV DC overhead wires produced by Škoda Vagonka, a subsidiary of Škoda Transportation, since 1997 and operated by the České dráhy rail transit operator on its suburban services around Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic. A single unit consists of a Class 471 power car with first class seating, a single Class 071 passenger car and a Class 971 cab car. They are replacement for defunct ČD Class 451, and successor to scrapped ČD Class 470.
Izera railway is a line connecting the Polish town of Jelenia Góra (Hirschberg) with Szklarska Poręba (Schreiberhau). It is part of the former Prussian Zackenbahn, that used to connect Prussia with the Austro-Hungarian Empire via the New World Pass. The line is currently operated by PKP as line number 311.
Class E 499.1 electric locomotives were constructed and built by Škoda Works in Plzeň for use in Czechoslovakia by the ČSD. They were also used outside Czechoslovakia in Poland as class EP05 and in the Soviet Union as ЧС3 (ChS3). In North Korea, licence built copies were used.
ČSD Class E 458.1 is a class of electric locomotive were used for shunting and local trip working in former Czechoslovakia. Locomotives which passed to České dráhy, rail operator in the Czech Republic are now classified as Class 111. E 458.1 locomotives operate solely on the 3,000 V DC electrification system. They are fitted with thyristor control. ČSD Class S 458.0 and ČSD Class E 458.0 are similar locomotives operating on 25 kV AC and 3,000 V DC respectively.
ČSD Class ES 499.1 is a class of electric locomotives used primarily for passenger trains in Czech Republic and Slovakia. Now classified as Class 363, these locomotives passed to České dráhy, rail operator in the Czech Republic, and to ZSSK, rail operator in Slovakia. Class 363 is also used by ČD Cargo and ZSSK Cargo for hauling freight trains.
ČSD Class E 499.3 electric locomotives were used primarily for passenger trains in Czechoslovakia. Locomotives which passed to České dráhy, rail operator in the Czech Republic are now classified as Class 163, those which passed to ZSSK, rail operator in Slovakia, are also Class 163.
The Děčín–Dresden railway, also called the Elbe Valley Railway is an electrified main line in Saxony and the Czech Republic. Formerly called the Saxon-Bohemian State Railway, the line is part of the Dresden to Prague route and is one of Europe's most important trunk routes (Magistralen). It runs along the Elbe Valley from Děčín via Bad Schandau and Pirna to Dresden. The first section of the line was opened in 1848 and is one of the oldest lines in Germany.
The Class 380 is a tri-voltage electric locomotive manufactured by Škoda for Czech railways České dráhy.
RegioJet a.s. is a private Czech provider of passenger rail and bus transport. The company Student Agency, owned by Czech businessman Radim Jančura, is the sole owner. A sister company of the same name, with its registered office in Bratislava, is an operator of passenger rail and bus transport in Slovakia.
Rail transport in the Czech Republic carried 193.5 million passengers in 2019, and 68.37 million tonnes of cargo in the year 2009. The majority of passenger services run nowadays are operated by the state company České dráhy, which until 2007 also managed cargo services now run by ČD Cargo. In 2009 the country had 9,420 km of standard gauge track, 3,153 km of which is electrified. There are two main electrification systems in the Czech Republic, 3 kV DC in the northern part, and 25 kV 50 Hz AC in the south. Locomotives had to be changed on boundaries in the past, two-system locomotives have been introduced in 1974. The network has same gauge links to all four countries bordering the Czech Republic with passenger services to all four countries in operation. Major hubs for international passenger services on the network are in Prague, Ostrava, Brno and Břeclav, and the busiest station is Praha hlavní nádraží. Maximum speed on Czech rails is 160 km/h (99mph).
The history of rail transport in Slovakia began in November 1836, at the founding meeting of the participating companies for the construction of a horse railway from Bratislava to Trnava. The first section of that railway was launched on 27 September 1840.
ČD Cargo, a.s. is a state-owned Czech railway operator focused on freight operations. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the passenger railway operator České dráhy.
High-speed rail in Czech Republic is at planning stage only. Even though České Dráhy own and operate multiple rolling stock capable of speeds of 230 km/h (143 mph), other than Velim railway test circuit there is no infrastructure capable of speeds over 200 km/h (124 mph). Czech rolling stock manufacturer Škoda Transportation produces high-speed rolling stock on regular basis.
České Budějovice railway station is a mainline railway station and marshalling yard in České Budějovice in the Czech Republic. It is located at the junction of an international corridor leading from Prague south to Linz in Austria with several domestic lines. The Neo-Renaissance station building, completed in 1908, is located on Nádražní street, a short walk east of the old town. Most passenger services are operated by Czech Railways but some are operated by Arriva.
Cheb railway station is a railway station in the city of Cheb in the Karlovy Vary Region in the western part of the Czech Republic.
Liberec railway station is a railway station in the city of Liberec, the capital of the Liberec Region, Czech Republic.
The Jizera railway bridge is a railway bridge on the cog railway line Tanvald-Harrachov in the Czech Republic that was built between 1899 and 1902. Its main purpose was to connect the Liberec and Jablonec regions with western Silesia.
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