CZ/SK verze

Poland’s Rail Network Gets a Boost as PKP Intercity Integrates EU200 Griffin Locomotives

Poland’s Rail Network Gets a Boost as PKP Intercity Integrates EU200 Griffin Locomotives
photo: PKP Intercity / Public domain/Griffin 200
28 / 10 / 2024

PKP Intercity has begun integrating the Griffin 200 locomotives, manufactured by Polish company NEWAG, into its fleet.

Recently, PKP Intercity accepted nine Griffinsbelonging to the EU200 series, each capable of speeds up to 200 km/h. PKP Intercity plans to receive the remaining six Griffins by the end of 2024, completing the EUR 89.2 million contract that includes vehicle delivery and maintenance.

The Griffins are the first Polish locomotives to reach such high speeds, equipped with multi-system capabilities that allow operation on both domestic and international routes. Dariusz Klimczak, Poland’s Minister of Infrastructure, commented, "Never before have Polish constructions been built with such a degree of technological sophistication, including the maximum speed these vehicles achieve." The locomotives also feature the ETCS second-level train control system to enhance safety and a remote diagnostics system that enables real-time performance monitoring, improving overall operational efficiency.

The locomotives will initially serve popular routes within Poland, such as Warsaw-Gdynia, Warsaw-Krakow, and Warsaw-Poznan. PKP Intercity aims to expand the Griffins’ reach to international destinations, with certifications for the Czech Republic and Slovakia underway. By 2026, the Griffins are expected to be cleared for operation in Germany, Austria, and Hungary, allowing PKP Intercity to offer direct services to major European cities, including Prague, Budapest, Vienna, and Berlin.

Source: PKP Intercity / Public domain

The Griffin delivery is part of PKP Intercity’s broader push for fleet modernization, with four key rolling stock contracts signed in 2024 alone, two of which are with NEWAG. Earlier this year, PKP Intercity ordered 63 multi-system electric locomotives from NEWAG, with an option to increase the order by 32 units, marking the largest contract in the company’s history.

Source: PKP Intercity; NEWAG

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