CRRC ZEMU03

CRRC ZEMU03
CZ Class 665
"Sirius"
Stock typeElectric multiple unit
ManufacturerCRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd.
Built atCRRC ZELC Zhuzhou Plant, Hunan, China
Constructed2019
Entered service2024
Number built3
Number in service3
Formation6 cars per set
Fleet numbers665 001/002/003
OwnerCRRC ZELC
OperatorRegioJet
Line servedR23
Specifications
Train length111.5 metres (366 ft)
Width2.86 metres (9.4 ft)
Height4.3 metres (14 ft)
Platform height550/760mm
Wheel diameter850 mm new
780 mm worn
Maximum speed160 kilometres per hour (99 mph)
WeightMax: 241,100 kilograms (531,500 lb)
Axle loadMax: 18,474 kilograms (40,728 lb)
Steep gradientMax under PARK BRK: 40 ‰
AccelerationMax Avg: 1.38m/s²
Electric systems
Current collectionPantograph
UIC classificationBo’2’2’2’2’2’Bo’
Safety systems
Coupling systemScharfenberg (Type 10)
Multiple workingMaximum 2
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

The CRRC ZEMU03, also known as Czech Republic Class 665 "Sirius" is an electric multiple unit (EMU) built by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd. (CRRC ZELC). The first customer of this type was the Czech Republic railway operator Leo Express (LE) The commercial operation with passengers began in 2024 with RegioJet (RJ). The type is registered with the Czech railway administration as Class 665.

Naming

The ZEMU03 belongs the ZEMU family, to a series of electric multiple units (EMU) designed and manufactured by Chinese rolling-stock manufacturer CRRC Zhuzhou locomotive Co. Ltd. (CRRC ZELC) for the European market under European Union TSI standards.[1] Other variants include the ZEMU02 operated by the Austrian railway company Westbahn.

It also features a nickname "Sirius".[2]

Development

In 2016, Czech Republic private railway operator Leo Express (LE) ordered 3 units with an option for 27 more from CRRC ZELC for around 6 million Czech koruna, the original plan was to deploy these sets on the Prague-Ostrava-Krakow-Kosice long-distance services, in addition, new lines were planned from Prague to Pilsen, Děčín and Bratislava.[3]

Two trains were shipped from China to Bremen in autumn 2019, assembled there and transferred by rail to the VUZ Velim test ring in the Czech Republic. The third unit initially remained with the manufacturer in Zhuzhou.[2]

In the spring of 2022, Leo Express (LE) withdrew from the purchase contract after the Spanish companies Renfe and CAF had taken over the majority of shares in Leo Express.[4] At the time, the certification process of the vehicles was about to complete. CRRC continued the type approval for the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia systems under the management of its own European subsidiary CRRC ZELC Verkehrstechnik, based in Vienna, at its own expense.[5]

The private Czech railway company RegioJet (RJ) was then interested in taking over the three trains. In January 2024, a train completed a test drive on the public network on the Přerov-Otrokovice line for the first time. Later, a train ran on the express train line R23 between Kolín and Ústí nad Labem in regular operation. Between February and May 2024, unit 665 002 covered the 50,000 km required by the railway office there.[6] In June 2024, tests were carried out under the European Train Control System (ETCS) on the Uničov-Olomouc-Červenka route.[7]

In September 2024, CRRC and RegioJet (RJ) concluded a five-year lease.[8] Then in the later November 2024, the third unit 665 003 was delivered via Hamburg and arrived on the 23rd December 2024 in the Czech Republic. The final approval for the operation of the trains in the Czech Republic is expected in 2025.[9]

RegioJet (RJ) initially planned to deploy two trains on the express train line R23 Kolín–Ústí nad Labem hl.n., where they replaced locomotive-hauled trains. With this, RegioJet (RJ) fulfills a contract with the Czech Ministry of Transport, which provides for an operation with modern low-floor trains. Since the third train delivered in December 2024 did not yet certified by the authorities, a classic loco-hauled train had to continue to run there. Instead, new units of the pesa elf (series 655) have been driving since March 2025, which are intended for regional transport in the Prague Transport Association (PID) and also carry their corporate identity.[10]

The third and last unit (665 003) arrived via waterway in Port of Hamburg in 2025, and then transferred to HHLA’s terminal in O'Swaldkai and got assembled there, later transported to the Czech Republic.[11] Since 9. April 2025, the third unit 665 003 will also be deployed in passenger service on line R23.[12]

Design

One ZEMU03 train set consists of a total of six cars, which are connected in the middle by Jacobs bogies. The two bogies under the end cars are powered.[1] The end carriages are 22 meters long, the middle carriages are 16.8 meters each. The axle load of a fully occupied unit is up to 19 t for the bogies and up to 18 t for the bogies.[13] The entry into the train is possible through five centrally operated, one meter wide sliding doors.[1]

The passenger compartment is equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, USB and 230 V sockets. There are a total of 314 seats, including 40 in First/Business Class.[1]

The seating arrangement in the business class units behind the driver's cabs is 1+1, in the second class usually 2+2. A special feature is the additional total of 24 "seating places" in two cars of the 2nd class, passengers can sit on a small seat cushion at these seats and lean against a back cushion. Three rows of these standing seats take the place of two rows of ordinary seats.

Leo Express (LE) was involved in both the interior and color design of the trains, 20% of the components are supplied by local Czech companies.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "EMU for the Czech Republic". CRRC ZELC EUROPE. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  2. ^ a b ""Sirius" is coming! China's first EMU train exported to EU arrives in the Czech Republic".
  3. ^ Sůra, Jan (2019-12-19). "Do Česka míří další čínský vlak. Leo Express bude testovat druhého Siriuse". Deník.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  4. ^ Sůra, Jan (2022-04-25). "Leo Express vypověděl smlouvu na pořízení čínských jednotek Sirius". Zdopravy.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  5. ^ International, Railway Gazette. "CRRC's Sirius EMU carries passengers with RegioJet". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  6. ^ "CRRC's ill-fated train has started passenger service in Czechia". ROLLINGSTOCK. 2024-02-09. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  7. ^ "Čínský vlak bude poprvé vozit cestující v Česku. RegioJet ho nasadí na svoji problémovou linku".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "RegioJet leases CRRC's ill-fated trains". ROLLINGSTOCK. 2024-10-15. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  9. ^ "RegioJetu připlul z Číny do Evropy poslední Sirius, už je v Česku. Za pozdní nasazení ho čeká pokuta".
  10. ^ Sůra, Jan (2025-03-27). "RegioJet může nasadit na rychlíky podél Labe jednotky PID, čeká na třetího Siriuse". Zdopravy.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  11. ^ Cech, Lubomir (2025-01-08). "Third CRRC Sirius unit for Regiojet via HHLA". RAILMARKET.com. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  12. ^ Sůra, Jan (2025-04-09). "Třetí čínský vlak na českých kolejích. RegioJet dnes vyjel s poslední jednotkou Sirius". Zdopravy.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  13. ^ Huyii,慧伊创新科技（北京）有限公司. "Sirius动车组 - 动车组列车 - 记录高速动车组列车及城市轨道交通列车发展历程 —— 慧伊创新科技（北京）有限公司". www.china-emu.cn (in Chinese (China)). Archived from the original on 2025-12-01. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  14. ^ Smith, Kevin (2022-04-26). "Leo Express cancels contract for CRRC Sirius EMUs". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
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