photo: Krysztof D., Flickr / CC-BY NC 2.0/FLIRT: Leo Express train from Stadler
Leo Express trains will soon be able to run on both DC and AC-electrified tracks. The modification of FLIRT trainsets will be carried out by Stadler.
Leo Express has awarded a contract to Stadler for the modification of five Class 480 electric multiple units, as announced in a company press release. Stadler, which originally manufactured these five-car trains—known as Stadler FLIRT—will upgrade them with an additional traction system, enabling operation on both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) networks.
FLIRT Upgrade Subsidized by the Ministry of Transport
Leo Express secured a subsidy covering approximately 40% of the total EUR 15.9 million investment for the dual-mode conversion. The Ministry of Transport granted the funding under the Operational Program Transport 2021-2027 (OPD3). In a press release, Leo Express CEO Peter Köhler expressed gratitude for the financial support, highlighting that their application received the highest rating among all subsidy requests.
Read more
Global trade routes are shifting, and one corridor is rising fast. The Middle Corridor—once an alternative, now a contender—is seeing record freight…
With this upgrade, Leo Express will be able to operate its FLIRT trains across the entire rail network in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, while maintaining services on its existing routes in Poland. The dual-mode conversion will also allow the company to continue running services on the Prague–Ostrava route, even after the planned transition from 3 kV DC to the European standard of 25 kV / 50 Hz AC.
Transition to AC Power
The gradual transition to AC power on Czech railways is a long-term project managed by Správa železnic, expected to be completed by 2045, according to Ekonomický deník. Key advantages of AC electrification include greater power stability, improved train dynamics, and increased track capacity. Additionally, AC power reduces energy losses, leading to better energy efficiency compared to DC power.
The FLIRT dual-mode conversion will involve the installation of an AC traction system and its integration into the Train Control and Monitoring System (TCMS), allowing seamless switching between AC and DC power sources. Stadler will carry out the modifications at its Frauenfeld facility in Switzerland, with Czech suppliers such as VUZ Velim and AŽD Praha also participating in the project.
Dual-Mode RegioPanter Trains
In 2022, a similar dual-mode conversion was performed on RegioPanter Class 440 electric units operated by České dráhy (Czech Railways). This upgrade was linked to the electrification of the Děčín–Kadaň route, specifically the Kadaň-Prunéřov and Kadaň Předměstí sections. As a result, passengers on line U1 gained direct connections from Kadaň to Děčín, Ústí nad Labem, Chomutov, Most, Teplice, and other locations across the Ústí nad Labem Region.
(1).jpg)
Electrification of Czech Railways
The modernization of existing electrified railways is closely tied to the ongoing electrification efforts in the Czech Republic. The country currently has a relatively low proportion of electrified lines. According to České noviny, only one-third of Czech railways are electrified, compared to the European standard of 57%.
Read more
A train ride is about the journey; a roller coaster is about the thrill. One is built for efficiency, the other for adrenaline—but how different are…
Electrification is one of the key solutions for reducing emissions from diesel-powered trains. Another alternative is partial electrification, where battery-powered trains can operate on non-electrified sections while charging on electrified tracks. However, the Czech Ministry of Transport recently sparked controversy by launching a tender for hybrid diesel-electric vehicles, which rely 85% on diesel and only 15% on DC power. This move contradicts the national railway electrification strategy that the Czech Ministry previously approved.