ComfortJet

ComfortJet 
A ČD ComfortJet at InnoTrans 2024
ManufacturersSiemens and Škoda Transportation
Constructed2022 - present
Formation1 locomotive, 9 cars
Capacity555 seats
OperatorČeské dráhy
Specifications
Maximum speed230 km/h (140 mph)
Traction systemLocomotive drawn (typically Vectron)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge

ComfortJet is a high-speed push-pull train which is being built by Siemens Mobility and Škoda Transportation for the Czech train operator České dráhy and is planned to start operations from summer 2024.[1] Based on the Railjet, Siemens developed its Vectrain train family. It will operate at speeds of up to 230 km/h and will replace old carriages on international EuroCity services between the Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary and on domestic InterCity services in the Czech Republic.[2] It is very similar to the interjet trains based on the same Viaggio Comfort carriages used for shorter routes, which do not feature the Afmpz control car.

History

On April 12, 2021, the Siemens MobilityŠkoda Transportation consortium won the competition for the framework contract for the supply of 180 new express wagons for České dráhy. 20 sets consist of 9 Siemens Viaggio Comfort wagons.[3] In March 2022, České dráhy signed a contract with Siemens Mobility for the purchase of 50 Siemens Vectron MS multi-system electric locomotives, which have a maximum operating speed of 230 km/h. The ComfortJet sets will be powered by these locomotives.[4] However, this is not always the case, as previously, the R 9xx Hradečan service was pulled by a ČD Class 162 Locomotive. [5]

Trainsets

A ComfortJet train set consists of nine individual coaches that are permanently coupled with airtight interconnections. The coach furthest from the locomotive acts as a control car. The number of cars in the train can also be expanded by adding regular carriages, as was previously done with WRmz restaurant cars.[6][7][8]

Routes

Current Services

RJ Berliner

Source: [1]

Praha hl. n. - Praha-Holešovice - Ústí and Labem hl.n - Děčín hl.n. - Bad Schandau - Dresden Hbf - Berlin Südkreuz - Berlin Hbf

The train is composed of 9 comfortJet coaches (a combination of Ampz, Bdmpz, Bmpz, Bbmpz, BRmpz and Afmpz), and is pulled by a Siemens Vectron MS locomotive; predominantly the ČD Class 384 (UIC CZ-ČD) rated for 230km/h operation, or, a 200km/h German Class 193 leased from S Rail Lease s.r.o (UIC D-RAILL)

Trial runs including the Afmpz control car have begun on this service. The control car however is not yet used to drive, but only pulled as a standard carriage, and a Siemens Vectron is coupled to the front of the set.

This service was previously an EuroCity (EC) service, but has been recategorised to the Railjet class since the introduction of the ComfortJet railsets.

RJ/(RJX) Vindobona

Source:[2]

(Berlin Hbf - Dresden Hbf - Děčín hl.n. - Ústí and Labem hl.n - Praha-Holešovice) - Praha hl. n. - Pardubice hl. n. - Brno hl. n. - Břeclav - Wien Hbf - (Wien-Meidling - Bruck an der Mur - Graz Hbf - Klagenfurt Hbf - Villach Hbf)

The train is composed of 9 comfortJet coaches (a combination of Ampz, Bdmpz, Bmpz, Bbmpz, BRmpz and Afmpz), and is pulled by a Siemens ES64U4; specifically an ÖBB class 1216 "Taurus III"

Trial runs including the Afmpz control car have begun on this service. The control car however is not yet used to drive, but only pulled as a standard carriage, and a 1216 is coupled to the front of the set.

Some RJ/RJX Vindobona services continue to use first generation Railjet set. On these services, the Afmpz control cars are authorised, and thus are used.

RJ 174/175 Hungaria

Source:[3]

Hamburg-Altona - Hamburg Hbf - Berlin Hbf - Dresden Hbf - Bad Schandau - Děčín hl.n. - Praha-Holešovice - Praha hl. n. - Pardubice hl.n. - Brno hl.n. - Břeclav - Kúty - Bratislava hl.st. - Štúrovo - Vác - Budapest-Nyugati

The train is composed of 9 comfortJet coaches (a combination of Ampz, Bdmpz, Bmpz, Bbmpz, BRmpz and Afmpz), and is pulled by a Siemens Vectron MS locomotive; predominantly a German Class 193 leased from S Rail Lease s.r.o (UIC D-RAILL), but alternatively a ČD Class 384 (UIC CZ-ČD) or German Class 193 leased from ELL (UIC D-ELOC)

Trial runs including the Afmpz control car have begun on this service. The control car however is not yet used to drive, but only pulled as a standard carriage, and a Siemens Vectron is coupled to the front of the set.

EC 140/141 Ostravan

Source:[4]

Praha hl. n. - Praha Libeň - Kolín - Pardubice hl. n. - Česká Třebová - Zábřeh na Moravě - Olomouc hl.n. - Hranice na Moravě - Ostrava-Svinov - Ostrava hl. n. - Bohumín - Karviná hl.n. - Český Těšín - Čadca - Žilina

The train is composed of 9 comfortJet coaches (a combination of Ampz, Bdmpz, Bmpz, Bbmpz, BRmpz and Afmpz), and is pulled by a Siemens Vectron MS locomotive; either a German Class 193 leased from S Rail Lease s.r.o (UIC D-RAILL), or ELL (UIC D-ELOC), or ČD Class 384 (UIC CZ-ČD)

Trial runs including the Afmpz control car have begun on this service. The control car however is not yet used to drive, but only pulled as a standard carriage, and a Siemens Vectron is coupled to the front of the set.

Not all EC Ostravan services currently feature a comfortJet trainset.

RJ 578 Brněnský Drak

Source:[5]

Brno hl.n. - Blansko - Letovice - Svitavy - Česká Třebová - Ústí nad Orlicí - Choceň - Pardubice hl.n. - Kolín - Praha hl.n. - Praha-Vršovice

The train is composed of 9 comfortJet coaches (a combination of Ampz, Bdmpz, Bmpz, Bbmpz, BRmpz and Afmpz), and is pulled by a Siemens ES64U4; specifically an ÖBB class 1216 "Taurus III"

Trial runs including the Afmpz control car have begun on this service. The control car however is not yet used to drive, but only pulled as a standard carriage, and a 1216 is coupled to the front of the set.

Not all RJ Brněnský Drak services are operated by ComforJet Sets.

R 786/789 Svitava

Source:[6]

Brno hl.n. - Blansko - Letovice - Svitavy - Česká Třebová - Ústí nad Orlicí - Choceň - Pardubice hl.n.- Přelouč - Kolín - Praha hl.n.

The train is composed of 9 comfortJet coaches (a combination of Ampz, Bdmpz, Bmpz, Bbmpz, BRmpz and Afmpz), and is pulled by a Siemens Vectron MS locomotive; predominantly a German Class 193 leased from S Rail Lease s.r.o (UIC D-RAILL), but alternatively a ČD Class 384 (UIC CZ-ČD)

Trial runs including the Afmpz control car have begun on this service. The control car however is not yet used to drive, but only pulled as a standard carriage, and a Siemens Vectron is coupled to the front of the set.

Not all R Svitava services are operated by ComforJet Sets. Most are not.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Neue Angebote Fahrplanwechsel Juni 2024". www.bahn.de (in German). DB Fernverkehr AG. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Timetable 2024: More Trains to Poland and Austria. First of the Modern ComfortJet Train Sets to Be Put into Operation | České dráhy, a.s." www.ceskedrahy.cz. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  3. ^ "České dráhy objednaly až 180 vozů u konsorcia Siemens – Škoda za 12,5 miliardy, zvládnou rychlost až 230 km/h". Zdopravy.cz (in Czech). 12 April 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  4. ^ "České dráhy objednaly 50 Vectronů pro rychlost 230 km/h". Zdopravy.cz (in Czech). 31 March 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  5. ^ "vagonWEB » Řazení vlaků » 2025 » ČD R » R 954 Hradečan". www.vagonweb.cz. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  6. ^ "vagonWEB » Řazení vlaků » 2025 » ČD IC » IC 510 Ostravan". www.vagonweb.cz. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  7. ^ "vagonWEB » Řazení vlaků » 2025 » DB EC » EC 175 Berliner". www.vagonweb.cz. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  8. ^ "vagonWEB » Řazení vlaků » 2025 » ČD R » R 954 Hradečan". www.vagonweb.cz. Retrieved 19 March 2025.

Media related to ČD ComfortJet at Wikimedia Commons