AŽD company has started testing a light battery-powered tram-train

The light battery-powered vehicle based on the KT8D5R.N2 tram, a modernized version of the well-known KT8D5 type with a lowered barrier-free middle section, originally served in Brno since 1990. After extensive conversion for operation on the railway infrastructure, it was named LENKA (Light Electric Rechargeable Rail Vehicle of the AŽD) and given the number 90 54 7 499 001-7.

"As part of the reconstruction, the middle section of the tram was converted into a technological space, into which a battery pack with a capacity of 192 kWh was installed. Thanks to it, the tram-train should travel approximately 80 km on a single charge at a speed of up to 60 km/h. The modifications also included changing the electrical wiring, installing a technological switchboard, systems necessary for battery operation, air conditioning units for battery boxes and an information system. The vehicle was equipped with elements appropriate for railway operation, such as new reflectors, signal and tail lights, two-tone horns, a vigilance control system, communication technologies or antennas for GSM-R and 5G systems," explains AŽD project manager Jan Hula.

An important part of the project was also the adaptation of the bogies for railway operation. The original tram wheelsets were replaced with railway ones with the appropriate profile and width. At the same time, a special coupler attachment was prepared to enable the tram to be connected to classical railway vehicles. The external design was also changed. AŽD invested a total of 12 million CZK in the purchase, repairs and technological equipment.

"The project has several goals. In addition to verifying the operation of a light battery-powered vehicle, AŽD wish to create a so-called green test platform for verifying new technologies and components developed by our company. Experience from such project could also open a professional debate on future operating rules that would enable the wider use of so-called train-trams on regional lines," adds Jan Hula.

The first step for AŽD will be to complete a series of tests and trials prescribed by the Railway Authority, which has authorized the train-tram to operate on Kopidlnka under strictly defined conditions and without passengers. The aim is to verify the properties of the modified vehicle when operating on the railway infrastructure, which AŽD uses as an experimental track for testing new technologies, including safety driving and preventing the risk of collision with another railway vehicle. After the end of the test operation, which must be completed by 31 December 2027 at the latest, according to the decision of Railway Authority, and after preparing a final report confirming that all specified safety conditions have been met, AŽD plans to apply for approval for passenger operation.

"As soon as we announced that we would be testing a tram-train at Kopidlnka, there was a lot of support, but also a group of critics. This is where we want to convince people that lightweight vehicles can be the right way for the future of regional transport in the Czech Republic. We feel that obstacles to their wider introduction are often created by administrative and bureaucratic barriers. A frequent argument of opponents is, for example, the alleged insufficient stiffness of our tram-train in a collision with a car at a level crossing. However, it is interesting that the same tram is considered completely satisfactory in normal city traffic when driving at the same speed and in a collision with the same car," Jan Hula explains further.

A number of Czech technology companies collaborated on this project, such as VKV Praha, EVC Group, Rail Electronics CZ, SKD TRADE, STARMON, MSV elektronika, DCom, and the Brno City Transport Company.

With this unique project, AŽD continues its long-term activities in the field of rail transport innovation and the search for economically and environmentally sustainable solutions for regional lines. In times of rising rail transport costs, finding a way to simpler, energy-efficient and more affordable vehicles is increasingly important. It is precisely such solutions that can contribute to ensuring that the railway remains accessible to passengers and at acceptable economic and operational costs.