The final Pesa DMU 847 units arrive at the Trutnov depot

The final Pesa DMU 847 units arrive at the Trutnov depot. The Hradec Králové Region boasts the most modern trains in its history thanks to cooperation between České dráhy and Pesa.

The last Pesa DMU 847 (RegioFox) diesel multiple unit under the current contract for regional transport services has arrived in the Hradec Králové Region. This means that the Hradec Králové Region now features the most modern trains in its history – 33 Pesa DMU 847 diesel multiple units and 7 new RegioPanters regularly serve the routes beneath the Krkonoše and Orlické Mountains. Most importantly, the entire regional train fleet of České dráhy in this region is fully low-floor and completely accessible for passengers with reduced mobility.

“This delivery also marks the symbolic finale of the full execution of the framework agreement signed on February 26, 2021. After five years and eight months, PESA has handed over the final unit out of 106 ordered Series 847 vehicles to the Czech carrier, successfully closing a total of four call-offs under this contract. In 2024, České dráhy initiated the largest regional train fleet renewal in the history of northeastern Bohemia right here in the Hradec Králové Region. I am extremely proud that today I can announce to regional representatives and the residents of Eastern Bohemia the successful completion of this planned fleet replacement. The final RegioFox unit from Pesa has already been delivered to the Trutnov depot and put into service,” summarizes Lenka Hamplová, President of the Board of Directors and CEO of České dráhy.

“The comprehensive modernization covered 3 two-car and 4 three-car RegioPanters and, above all, 33 Pesa RegioFox diesel vehicles. This rolling stock investment of over 4 billion CZK has brought a true revolution in travel comfort and quality. Instead of boarding trains via steep steps, we offer barrier-free level entry from the platform, air-conditioned interiors, modern and comfortable seats, onboard Wi-Fi, an audiovisual passenger information system, and power outlets for charging mobile devices. Regional trains running even to the most remote corners of the Hradec Králové Region today offer residents and visitors the exact same comfort as the best long-distance expresses in Europe,” explains Jiří Ješeta, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and Deputy Director General for Passenger Transport at České dráhy.

“The completion of the fleet renewal is a key milestone for public transport in the Hradec Králové Region. Our goal is to ensure that rail transport serves as a comfortable, reliable, and accessible alternative to car travel for our residents. The new trains bring a significant improvement in travel comfort not only on main lines, but also in more remote parts of the region. We want public transport to maintain this high standard in the future as well, which is why we will place great emphasis on operating modern train sets even after the current rail transport contract expires,” emphasized Jan Jarolím, First Deputy Governor of the Hradec Králové Region.

“The delivery of the final Pesa DMU 847 units to the Trutnov depot is a tremendously important moment for us. We are delighted that these modern, comfortable, and safe ‘foxes’ carrying the Pesa logo are entering regular service in the Hradec Králové Region, offering passengers the highest standard of comfort and safety when traveling in the foothills of the Krkonoše and Orlické Mountains,” says Miroslav Kupec, Managing Director of Pesa Rail CR s.r.o.

“The execution of this contract – as well as the delivery of more than 100 other vehicles handed over to Czech Railways to date – proceeded smoothly, and over the past two years, the average delivery lead time across the order portfolio was nearly a month ahead of the contractual deadline. We are immensely pleased that together with our Czech partners we can contribute to raising travel standards and modernizing railway transport in the Czech Republic, while consistently strengthening our position on the Czech market,” adds Krzysztof Zdziarski, President of the Management Board of Pesa Bydgoszcz SA.

Technological and Production Milestone of the Project

The handover of the 106th Series 847 vehicle is a landmark event in the history of PESA Bydgoszcz SA — for the first time in the company’s history, the production volume of a single vehicle series exceeded the 100-unit threshold. This project required overcoming a series of engineering and technological challenges. It was precisely with the 847 series that Pesa introduced a completely new carbody construction technology into series production for the first time and optimized the operational curb weight already during the design phase.

The units are equipped with an advanced diesel powertrain meeting the strictest European Stage V emission standard, which required extensive homologation testing. Furthermore, key design and production phases coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing Pesa’s team of engineers and specialists to rapidly reorganize work processes and ensure project continuation under strict restrictions.

The efforts and organizational changes yielded tangible results. Over the past two years, Pesa successfully accelerated vehicle deliveries, which were executed on average nearly a month ahead of contractual deadlines.

The success of the Czech contract also establishes the foundation for the further development of this vehicle platform. In Poland, the production of sister units of the 231M platform is already underway, for which Pesa has secured orders totaling 35 units to date.

Considering further demand growth on the Polish market, total production of vehicles on this platform could reach up to 200 units in the coming years.

“Foxes” Conquer the Hradec Králové Region

Pesa DMU 847 vehicles, affectionately nicknamed “foxes” by passengers, offer 115 seats, a 1st-class compartment, and an onboard Wi-Fi network. A fundamental quality for passengers is the low-floor design of both car sections. Thanks to this, wheelchair users, seniors, small children, or individuals traveling with strollers, bicycles, and bulky luggage can travel with ease. Significantly more space is dedicated to wheelchairs, strollers, and bicycles in these units compared to older vehicles.

Driven by a pair of powerful Rolls-Royce engines, RegioFoxes feature high driving dynamics and can reach speeds of up to 120 km/h. Automatic couplers make it possible to create direct connections to various parts of the region without unnecessarily long delays at junction stations. Consequently, even on a single-track railway network with limited capacity, a convenient, fast, and direct connection without transfers has been established between the regional capital and regional centers.

RegioFox units operate trains on the following routes: Kolín – Chlumec nad Cidlinou – Stará Paka – Trutnov, Hradec Králové – Letohrad, Hradec Králové – Rychnov nad Kněžnou – Solnice, Choceň – Týniště nad Orlicí – Náchod – Hronov, Hradec Králové – Náchod – Meziměstí – Broumov, and Hradec Králové – Trutnov – Svoboda nad Úpou.

Modern Trains in Numbers

The fleet of modern trains operating in the Hradec Králové Region currently totals 3 two-car and 4 three-car RegioPanters, alongside 33 Pesa Series 847 RegioFox diesel multiple units. To this asset base, another 5 three-car RegioPanter units operating on the Pardubice – Hradec Králové – Jaroměř route can be added, along with the Chlumec nad Cidlinou – Hradec Králové – Týniště nad Orlicí – Choceň relation. All modern trains cover 11,700 kilometers daily on Hradec Králové Region routes, accounting for nearly 75% of regional transport scope.

If all the region’s modern trains were coupled into a single formation, it would create a convoy nearly 2,340 meters long, providing a combined total of over 6,300 seats. Such a formation could simultaneously accommodate all residents of towns and municipalities such as Dobruška, Kostelec nad Orlicí, Týniště nad Orlicí, Hronov, or Třebechovice pod Orebem.

Standard Equipment of the New Trains:

• Barrier-free / low-floor design
• Air conditioning
• Wi-Fi network
• 230V power sockets + USB ports
• Audiovisual passenger information system
• Security cameras
• Dedicated spaces for wheelchair users, baby strollers, and bicycles
• Barrier-free toilet
• Practical fold-down baby changing station
• 1st-class compartment
• Modern, safe push-button operated plug doors with central closing and locking before train departure
• For blind and visually impaired passengers, selected doors are equipped with a remote-control system operated via a blind person’s radio transmitter and feature an acoustic beacon
• Braille signage and haptic buttons for visually impaired and blind passengers