Estonian railway operator Eesti Liinirongid (Elron) has exercised its option to deliver modern electric units and ordered 10 more trains from the Škoda Group. Production will take place at the Škoda Group's Ostrava plant, where the first of the electric units from this order is now taking place, which now totals 16 vehicles. The contract with Elron is worth a total of almost 147 million euros. The modern trains will, among other things, serve the newly electrified railway section between Tallinn and Tartu. In December, the production of the rough construction for the first train has already started. It is already in the initial welding phase and should be ready for assembly in a few weeks. In 2023, the first tests will take place, with the delivery of the first six trains scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024.
“Our single-deck electric units are proving very well in regional transport in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where they are very popular and achieve the highest standards for modern and safe transport. The first units have already been delivered to Latvia, which has similar characteristics to Estonia. This experience has enabled us to offer Elron a unique tailor-made solution. The client's trust in our products is the greatest reward for us, so we are glad that the customer decided to use the entire order and modern Škoda trains will be running in Estonia for decades to come, said Zdeněk Sváta, President of Region Central East at Škoda Group
The trains are adapted to the specific requirements of Estonia. In addition to the wider track gauge, the trains are designed as dual-system trains for 3 kV and 25 kV 50Hz power systems to serve both newly electrified railway sections and sections with older catenary lines. In addition, Estonia has a colder climate and trains must be able to withstand more challenging temperature conditions, especially in winter.
“The new trains place great emphasis on passenger comfort. They have a low-floor entrance, space for two wheelchairs and four prams. Some of the seats are removable so that the train can be adapted to the current situation – in summer there will be more space for bicycles, in winter more space for passengers. Of course, there is air conditioning, a modern information system, WIFI, 230 V and USB sockets,” emphasized the train features Ivo Gurňák, Sales Area Director Mainline at Škoda Group.
