Czech Republic - General Information: Difference between revisions

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==Country Name==
==Country Name==
Czech Republic (Česká Republika)
Czech Republic / Czechia (Česká Republika)


==National railway system==
==National railway system==
České dráhy was the state railway operator until January 1st 2003, when it was replaced by the state-owned administrator / infrastructure manager now named Správa železnic (SŽ) and the České dráhy, a.s. group of carrier companies. Since 2010 the network has been managed using a public service obligation framework, under which the regional governments can procure and subsidize carriers to operate lines within their region while the Ministry of Transport can similarly procure and subsidize carriers to operate long distance (R and Ex category) services. Open access international services began to operate in 2011.
Note: In the Czech Republic, companies that actually operate the trains are referred to as “carriers”, while the term “operators” is used to identify companies that manage the infrastructure and operations on railway lines.
===National Railway Operator===
===National Railway Operator===
České Dráhy a.s. ([http://www.cd.cz/en/default.htm ČD ])
České Dráhy a.s. ([https://www.cd.cz/en/default.htm ČD]) remains the predominant carrier


Other Railway Operators:
===Other Operators===
*PKP Cargo International a.s., [http://www.atw.eu Advanced World Transport]
*Jindřichohradecké mistni dráhy a.s. [http://jhmd.cz JHMD]
*PDV Railway a.s. [http://pdvr.cz/ PDV Railway]
*SART-stavby a rekonstruckce a.s. [http://www.sart.cz/ SART]


Open Access Carriers:
Open Access Carriers:
*Regiojet a.s. [http://www.regiojet.cz Regiojet]
*[https://regiojet.cz Regiojet a.s.] operate services between between Praha and Budapest via Brno, between Praha and Przemyśl via Bohumín and Kraków, and between Praha and Košice via Bohumín and Žilina
*Leo Express a.s. [http://www.le.cz LEO Express]
*[https://www.leoexpress.com/en Leo Express a.s.] operate services between Praha and Kraków via Bohumín and between Praha and Košice via Bohumín and Žilina
*ARRIVA vlaky s.r.o. [http://www.arriva-vlaky.cz Arriva-Vlaky CZ]


Other Carriers:
Other Carriers:
*AŽD Praha s.r.o. [https://www.azd.cz AŽD Praha]
 
*CityRail, a.s. [http://www.cityrail.cz CityRail]
*[https://www.arriva.cz/ Arriva vlaky s.r.o.] operate an extensive portfolio of long distance services and local services in the Zlínský, Plzeňský and Liberecký regions
*Die Länderbahn CZ s.r.o. [http://www.laenderbahn.com/cs/trilex DLB]
*[https://www.azdvlaky.cz/ AŽD Praha s.r.o.] operate services on two lines from Lovosice in the Ústecký region
*GW Train Regio a.s. [http://www.gwtr.cz GW Train Regio]
*[https://www.laenderbahn.cz/ Die Länderbahn CZ s.r.o.] operate local services in the Ústecký region, and in the Liberecký region under the Trilex brand name
*Jindřichohradecké mistni dráhy a.s. [http://jhmd.cz JHMD]
*[https://www.gepard.com/en Gepard Express SE] operate a pair of overnight trains between Brno and Wien Airport, subsidized by Brno City Council
*KPT Rail s.r.o. [https://www.kptrail.cz/ KPT Rail]
*[https://www.gwtr.cz GW Train Regio a.s.] operate an extensive portfolio of local services in the Olomoucký / Královéhradecký / Ústecký / Karlovarský / Plzeňský / Jihočeský regions plus the Plzeň to Most long distance service (R25)
*KŽC Doprava s.r.o. [http://kzc.cz KŽC]
*[https://kzc.cz KŽC Doprava s.r.o.] operate some of the S34 and S43 local services in the Praha area (SŽ tables 071 and 092), plus a range of tourist services during the summer months using their own heritage stock
*MBM rail s.r.o. [https://www.mbmr.cz MBM]
*[https://www.leoexpress.com/en/where-we-go/region/provoz-orlicko Leo Express Tenders s.r.o.] operate some local services for the Pardubický region and between Lichov and Wrocław (Poland) (SŽ table 025)
*METRANS Rail s.r.o. [http://www.metransrail.eu METRANS Rail]
*[https://www.mbmr.cz MBM rail s.r.o.] do not own any passenger stock but have a passenger carrier licence and operates some tourist and nostalgia services
*Railway Capital a.s [http://www.railwaycapital.cz RC]
*[https://www.metransrail.eu METRANS Rail s.r.o.] do not own any passenger stock but have a passenger carrier licence and operates some tourist and nostalgia services
*Slezské zemské dráhy, o.p.s [http://www.osoblazsko.com SZD]
*[https://railwaycapital.cz Railway Capital a.s] operate tourist services on six lines during the summer months
*[https://regiojet.cz Regiojet a.s.] in addition to their open access services also operate state supported long distance services between Bohumín and Brno (R8) and between Kolín and Ústí nad Labem (R23)
*[https://regiojet.cz/kam-jezdime/ustecky-kraj Regiojet ÚK a.s.] operate local services in the Ústecký region
*[http://www.osoblazsko.com Slezské zemské dráhy, o.p.s] operate services on the narrow gauge (760mm) Třemešná ve Slezsku to Osoblaha line (SŽ table 298)
 
A full list of passenger and freight carriers can be found [https://www.spravazeleznic.cz/web/en/our-railway/carriers-operating-on-railway-network here].


==Language==
==Language==
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==Timetable==
==Timetable==
===Journey Planner===
===Journey Planner===
[https://old.cd.cz/en/default.htm Domestic Travel]
[https://www.cd.cz/en/ Domestic Travel]
 
===Actual Train Times===
* [https://kam.mff.cuni.cz/~babilon/zpmapa Current position of ČD trains]
* [https://grapp.spravazeleznic.cz/ Správa železnic]


===Downloadable Timetable===
===Downloadable Timetable===
The full timetable is available from both the [https://www.szdc.cz/cestujici/jizdni-rad SŽDC website] and the  [https://www.cd.cz/jizdni-rad/tratove-jizdni-rady/ ČD website] as individual PDF files.
The full timetable is available from both the [https://www.spravazeleznic.cz/cestujici/jizdni-rad website] and the  [https://www.cd.cz/jizdni-rad/tratove-jizdni-rady/ ČD website] as individual PDF files. Timetable updates can also be found on this [http://www.prelepky.wz.cz/ unofficial site].  


Station departure sheets can be printed from the [http://provoz.szdc.cz/portal/ViewArticle.aspx?oid=983005 SŽDC website], while train formation details can be found on the [http://www.cd.cz/vlak//raz.aspx ČD website].
Station departure sheets can be printed from the [https://provoz.spravazeleznic.cz/Portal/ViewArticle.aspx?oid=1744888 SŽ website], while train formation details can be found on the [https://www.cd.cz/vlak/ ČD website].


Scans of historical timetables from 1988, 1944 and 1918 are available on the [http://www.zelpage.cz/trate/ceska-republika Zelpage website].
Scans of historical timetables from 1988, 1944 and 1918 are available on the [https://www.zelpage.cz/trate/ceska-republika Zelpage website].


===Printed Timetable===
===Printed Timetable===
''Železniční Jízdní Řád''. After many complaints last year, all operators trains are now included. Note that the new edition has considerable revision of route/timetable numbers, in particular with the addition of Tables 001 and 002 covering the Praha - Bohumin and Brno / Kuty main line services respectively. Stopping services now appear in Tables 010 and 011. Printed in Czech throughout but with general instructions in English, German and French. Timetable supplements are issued (June 2020) but from 2019 have been only issued online. A fold-out, near-geographic route diagram is included in the timetable, and there are enlargements of the Praha, Brno and Ostrava areas.
''Železniční Jízdní Řád''. All operators' trains are included. Printed in Czech throughout but with general instructions in English, German and French. Supplements are issued but from 2019 have been only issued online. A fold-out, near-geographic route diagram is included in the timetable, and there are enlargements of the Praha, Brno and Ostrava areas.
 
From 2023 the timetable book has been published by Zdopravy.cz on behalf of SŽ, the Czech infrastructure authority, rather than directly by ČD. Availability is limited as station booking offices no longer appear to stock it. At Praha hlavní nádraží (the main station) the 2023/24 edition appears only to be available from the "Pont" newsagents on the lower concourse at a price of CZK199 (approximately €8).


===<div id="ANRT"></div>Additional Notes on reading the Timetable===
===<div id="ANRT"></div>Additional Notes on reading the Timetable===
Line 58: Line 68:


===Engineering Information===
===Engineering Information===
From ČD website [https://www.cd.cz/jizdni-rad/omezeni-provozu/default.php Omezení provozu]; select ''Výluky''” and then "''Dnes''" (today), "''Zítra''" (tomorrow) or "''Všechny výluky''", which gives details up to two weeks hence, rolling forward in date order.
ČD website [https://www.cd.cz/jizdni-rad/omezeni-provozu/default.php Omezení provozu]. Shows map of current engineering works; select "''Omezení Provozu Podle Tratí a Kraju''" or
 
"''Omezení Provozu Podle Vlaku''" for Traffic restrictions by line ("''Trať''") or region ("''Trať''") or by trains ("''Vlaku''") respectively, then "''Dnes''" (today), "''Zítra''" (tomorrow) or "''datum''" (date), or by clicking on a region on the map.
It is possible to reduce the volume of information by selecting a specific route ("''Trať''") or region ("''Kraj''"), or clicking on a region on the map.


===Bus Information===
===Bus Information===
Access the [http://jizdnirady.idnes.cz/vlakyautobusy/spojeni/ IDOS website] and click on the English (or German) icon (given by small flags) in the bottom right hand corner. Enquiries can specify 'train only', 'bus only' or a combination of these (the default option), plus public transport in Brno, Ostrava and Prague.
Access the [https://idos.idnes.cz/vlakyautobusy/spojeni/ IDOS website] and click on the English (or German) icon (given by small flags) in the menu drop-down.


==Maps==
==Maps==
===Printed Maps===
===Printed Maps===
*The "Atlas Drah, Ceské Republiky 2006-2007” is a hard backed very detailed 1:200000 map by Zdenék Hudec (ISBN 80-87047-00-1), generally available in large ČD station bookstalls and Information Offices. It shows numerous freight-only lines not displayed on the Quail map and also Tram and Trolley bus system maps. However, unlike the previous edition, the indexed key of numbered highlights from each page is only in Czech.
*[[Printed Maps#ERA-E | European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition)]] by M.G. Ball.
*European Railway Atlas: Scandinavia and Eastern Europe by M.G. Ball (1993) (ISBN 0-7110-2072-4)
*[[Printed Maps#ERA-R-CZ-SK | European Railway Atlas (Regional Series: Book 3)]] by M.G. Ball.
*[http://www.europeanrailwayatlas.com European Railway Atlas]and more detailed [https://europeanrailwayatlas.com/european-railway-atlas-regional-series/ Czech Republic & Slovakia Regional Series Atlas]by M.G. Ball (2015)
*The "Atlas Drah, Ceské Republiky 2006-2007” is a hard backed very detailed 1:200000 map by Zdenék Hudec (ISBN 80-87047-00-1), generally available in large ČD station bookstalls and Information Offices. It shows numerous freight-only lines and also has Tram and Trolley bus system maps. However, unlike the previous edition, the indexed key of numbered highlights from each page is only in Czech.
*The Czech Tourist Club produces a [https://eshop.kct.cz/index.php?route=common/home series] of 95 1:50000 walking maps which are often available in station kiosks for the local area.
*The Czech Tourist Club produces a [https://www.mapykct.cz/trasa/Mapy-papirove-1-50-000-c2_0_1.htm series] of 95 1:50000 walking maps which are often available in station kiosks for the local area.


===Web-based Maps===
===Web-based Maps===
*The ČD website gives access to a [http://old.cd.cz/mapa/ Network map] and a downloadable map showing the [http://provoz.szdc.cz/portal/Show.aspx?path=/Data/Mapy/OR.pdf regional boundaries]. [https://www.cd.cz/cd-v-regionech/default.htm Detailed regional maps] appear only on the Czech language version website.
*The website gives access to a [https://www.spravazeleznic.cz/cestujici/jizdni-rad Network map].
*The SŽDC website gives access to [https://www.szdc.cz/en/o-nas/zeleznicni-mapy-cr.html infrastructure maps].
*The website also gives access to [https://www.spravazeleznic.cz/o-nas/vse-o-sprave-zeleznic/zeleznice-cr/zeleznicni-mapy-cr infrastructure maps].
*The "Atlas Drah" (see above) can also be accessed on line via the [http://www.zelpage.cz/atlas.php Zelpage website].
*The "Atlas Drah" (see above) can also be accessed on line via the [https://www.zelpage.cz/atlas.php Zelpage website].
* [https://www.openrailwaymap.org/ Open Railway map.] Zoom into Czech Republic and this shows lines to a much more detailed level than the "Atlas Drah".
* [https://www.openrailwaymap.org/ Open Railway map.] Zoom into Czech Republic and this shows lines to a much more detailed level than the "Atlas Drah".
*Thorsten Büker's [http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/maps_czechia.php Czech Map].NB Not updated since November 2011.
*Thorsten Büker's [https://websites.umich.edu/~yopopov/rrt/railroadmaps/czechia.html Czech Map].
*[[Maps and Plans#Czech Republic|Maps and Plans - Czech Republic]]
*[[Maps and Plans#Czech Republic|Maps and Plans - Czech Republic]]
*[https://en.mapy.cz/ mapy.cz] web-based mapping showing good railway coverage
*[https://en.mapy.cz/ mapy.cz] web-based mapping showing good railway coverage


==Ticketing==
==Ticketing==  
ČD offers its own [https://www.cd.cz/en/typy-jizdenek/vnitrostatni-jizdenky/-28234/ All-day ticket (Celodenní jízdenka)]. This is much better value than the standard One Country passes and includes tickets valid on the entire network for a time period, tickets valid only at weekends and also regional tickets. In addition, in recent years a highly discounted two-week CD ticket has been available during the summer. Note that CD tickets are not generally accepted on other opererators services.
ČD offers an [https://www.cd.cz/en/typy-jizdenek/vnitrostatni-jizdenky/-25903/ All-Day ticket (Celodenní jízdenka)], valid only on its own trains, but which is much better value than the standard One Country passes when using their trains. These tickets are available for individual regions (‘kraj’) or for the entire network. In recent years a highly discounted one or two-week ČD [https://www.cd.cz/en/typy-jizdenek/vnitrostatni-jizdenky/-36631/ Summer Ticket (Jízdenka na léto)] has also been available (in 2023 from 01 July - 31 August).  It should be noted that the individual regions are increasingly offering tickets under their own regional integrated ticket systems, particularly in Jihomoravský (South Moravia) where it is no longer possible to buy a ČD local ticket for travel only within the region. Local tickets to destinations outside of the area are unaffected.


Ticket machines offering zonal fares for journeys up to 100km are installed at larger stations, and particularly near Praha. These machines take coins or prepaid smart cards.
Since December 2020, the [https://oneticket.cz/home OneTicket] has been available, allowing travel with most railway carriers except Leo Express and enabling through journeys involving more than one carrier to be booked. A small supplement is required for certain long distance services operated by ČD and Regiojet. Regular travellers can purchase period tickets, it is also possible to purchase network-wide tickets for a day or for a period.


==Infrastructure==
==Infrastructure==
===Infrastructure Authority===
===Infrastructure Authority===
Since 1 January 2003 infrastructure has been managed by the state organization Správa železniční dopravní cesty ([http://www.szdc.cz/en/index.html SŽDC]).
Since 1 January 2003 infrastructure has been managed by a state organization, which is currently Správa železnic([https://www.spravazeleznic.cz/web/en SŽ]). Prior to 1 January 2020 the name was Správa železniční dopravní cesty (SŽDC).


===Network Statement===
===Network Statement===
[http://www.szdc.cz/en/provozovani-drahy/pristup-na-zdc.html Access to railway infrastructure] > ''Network Statement 2017'', ''Network Statement 2018'' or ''Network Statement 2019''.
[https://www.spravazeleznic.cz/web/en/our-railway Our railway] > ''How to operate on our railway'' > ''Network Statements (by year)''


===Gauge===
===Gauge===
Standard, except for the 760 mm gauge routes from Jindřichúv Hradec to Obrataň and Nová Bystřice, and from Třemešná ve Slezsku to Osoblaha.
Standard, except for the 760 mm gauge routes from Jindřichúv Hradec to Obrataň and Nová Bystřice, and from Třemešná ve Slezsku to Osoblaha.
Part of the Liberec tram system is 1000 mm gauge.


===Electrification===
===Electrification===
Generally, lines to the north and east of Praha are electrified at 3 kV DC, whereas those to the west and south of Praha are electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz. The two systems meet at
Generally, lines to the north and east of Praha are electrified at 3 kV DC, whereas those to the west and south of Praha are electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz. The two systems meet at
* Beroun-Kralův Dvůr, on the line between Praha and Plzeň;  
* km 42,360 between Beroun Králův Dvůr and Beroun Králův Dvůr-Popovice on the line between Praha and Plzeň;  
* Benešov u Prahy, on the line between Praha and České Budějovice;  
* Benešov u Prahy, on the line between Praha and České Budějovice;  
* Klášterec nad Ohri, near Kadaň on the line between Chomutov and Karlovy Vary;  
* Klášterec nad Ohri, near Kadaň on the line between Chomutov and Karlovy Vary;  
Line 104: Line 115:
* Svitavy-Lány, on the line between Česká Třebova and Brno;  
* Svitavy-Lány, on the line between Česká Třebova and Brno;  
* Nezamyslice, on the line between Přerov and Brno; and  
* Nezamyslice, on the line between Přerov and Brno; and  
* Nedakonice, on the line between Přerov and Břeclav.  
* Říkovice, on the line between Přerov and Břeclav.  


There is an isolated 1500 V dc branch in the south from Tábor to Bechyně and Retz (Austria) - Šatov - Znojmo is electrified at 15 kV AC.  
There is an isolated 1500 V dc branch in the south from Tábor to Bechyně which in January 2020 was approved by the Regional Government for conversion to 25 kv in 2023/24 but this needs to be ratified by the Transport Ministry.<br />
Retz (Austria) - Šatov - Znojmo is electrified at 15 kV AC.  


The Transport ministry decided in December 2016 that SŽDC must convert all 3 kV DC lines to 25 kV AC in a programme to be implemented between 2025 and 2040. It seems Tábor - Bechyně and Šatov - Znojmo will not be converted.
The Transport ministry decided in December 2016 that SŽDC (now SŽ) must convert all 3 kV DC lines to 25 kV AC in a programme to be implemented between 2025 and 2040. A 43 km section of the Břeclav – Přerov main line (Nedakonice – Říkovice) was converted on 14 Jul 2022. It seems Šatov - Znojmo will not be converted.


===Rule of the road===
===Rule of the road===
Line 115: Line 127:


===Distances===
===Distances===
The Network Statement for Timetable 2018 [http://www.szdc.cz/en/soubory/prohlaseni-o-draze/2018/annex-b-2018.pdf Annex B] gives the total length of each line in column 5, in addition to other information.
* Annex B of the [https://www.spravazeleznic.cz/web/en/network-statement-2023 Network Statement 2023] gives the total length of each line in column 5, in addition to other information.
* On the [https://www.atlaskolejowy.net/infra/ Atlaskolejowy] website select the line from the drop down list labelled '' 'Wykaz linii kolejowych w Czechach' ''.
* The "Atlas Drah, Ceské Republiky 2006-2007” gives detailed distances. See Maps above.


The "Atlas Drah, Ceské Republiky 2006-2007” gives detailed distances.
==Other Railways==


==Other Railways==
The following timetable routes form part of the national network but are not owned or managed (operated) by SŽ:
The following timetable routes are operated by, and where marked by (*) the railway infrastructure is owned by, private companies.
*032 - Trutnov hl. n. - Svoboda nad Úpou, operated by [https://pdvr.cz/ PDV Railway a.s.] (with [https://www.cd.cz/en/default.htm ČD] as the carrier)
* 024 - Ústí nad Orlicí - Mlýnický Dvůr, Lichkov - Wrocław Gł. (Leo Express Tenders)
*145 - (Karlovy Vary dolní nádraží ) Sokolov - Kraslice, operated by [https://pdvr.cz/ PDV Railway a.s.] (with [https://www.gwtr.cz GW Train Regio a.s.] as the carrier)
* 025 - Dolní Lipka - Hanušovice (Leo Express Tenders)
*291 - Šumperk - Petrov nad Desnou - Kouty nad Desnou and Petrov nad Desnou - Sobotin, operated by [http://www.sart.cz/ SART a.s.] (with [https://www.cd.cz/en/default.htm ČD] as the carrier on the Kouty nad Desnou line but no service on the branch to Sobotín)
* 026 - Adršpach - Meziměstí - Walbrzych Gł. (GW Train Regio)
*313 - Milotice nad Opavou - Vrbno pod Pradědem, operated by [https://www.pkpcargointernational.com/co-delame/provozovani-drah PKP Cargo International a.s.] (with [https://www.gwtr.cz GW Train Regio a.s.] as the carrier)
* 030 - Stara Paka - Liberec (ARRIVA vlaky)
* 035 - Železný Brod - Tanvald (ARRIVA vlaky)
* 036 - Excursion trains Tanvald - Harrachov (METRANS Rail)
* 043 - Trutnov hlavní n. – Lubawka - Sędzisław (GW Train Regio, the route onwards to Jelenia Gora in Poland is operated by PKP)
* 045 - Trutnov hlavní n. - Svoboda nad Úpou (*PDV Railway / GW Train Regio/ČD)
* 046 - Lomnice nad Popelkou - Stará Paka (ARRIVA vlaky)
* 082 - Česká Kamenice - Kamenický Šenov (*KŽC Doprava / KŽC Doprava)
* 089 - Liberec - Zittau - Rybniště, Varnsdorf - Seifhennersdorf (Die Länderbahn-GmbH)
* 091 - (S49) Praha Hostivař - Roztoky u Prahy (Arriva vlaky)
* 113 - (U10) Litoměřice horní nádraží – Čížkovice - Most (*AZD Praha)
* 123 - Most - Žatec západ (Regiojet)
* 124 - Lužná u Rakovníka - Jirkov (Die Länderbahn CZ)
* 125 - (Lužná u Rakovníka –) Krupá – Kolešovice (CityRail a.s.)
* 126 - Most - Rakovník (Die Länderbahn CZ)
* 131 - Ústí nad Labem - Úpořiny - Most (RegioJet ÚK a.s.)
* 135 - Most - Osek město (Die Länderbahn CZ s.r.o.)
* 137 - Chomutov - Vejprty (Die Länderbahn CZ s.r.o.)
* 145 - (Karlovy Vary dolní nádraží)Sokolov - Kraslice (*PDV Railway / GW Train Regio + route onwards to Klingenthal in Germany is operated by Die Länderbahn-GmbH)
* 149 - Karlovy Vary dolní nádraží – Mariánské Lázne, Krásný Jez - Horní Slavkov-Kounice (GW Train Regio)
* 164 - Kadaň-Prunéřov - Podbořany, Vilémov u Kadaně - Kadaňský Rohozec (Railway Capital)
* 186 - Svojšín - Bor (GW Train Regio)
* 194 - Českě Budějovice - Černý Kříž (GW Train Regio/ČD)
* 197 - Čičenice - Nově Údolí (GW Train Regio)
* 198 - Strakonice - Volary (GW Train Regio)
* 228 - Obrataň - Jindřichův Hradec (*JHMD)
* 229 - Jindřichův Hradec - Nová Bystřice  (*JHMD)
* 233 - Čelákovice – Mochov (KŽC Doprava)
* 243 - Moravské Budějovice - Jemnice (Railway Capital)
* 280 - Vsetin - Horní Lideč - Bylnice - Střelná (Arriva vlaky)
* 282 - Velké Karlovice - Vsetín (Arriva)
* 291 - Šumperk - Petrov nad Desnou - Kouty nad Desnou and Petrov nad Desnou - Sobotin (*SART/ČD)
* 304 - Kojetín - Tovačov (Railway Capital)
* 312 - Bruntál - Malá Morávka (MBM rail)
* 313 - Milotice nad Opavou - Vrbno pod Pradědem (*PKP Cargo International/GW Train Regio)
* 314 - Opava - Svobodné Heřmanice (Railway Capital)
* 340 - Veselí nad Moravou - Uherské Hradiště (Arriva vlaky)
* 341 - Staré Město u Uh. Hradiště - Vlárský průsmyk, Újezdec u Luhačovic - Luhačovice (Arriva vlaky)
With the 2007 timetable, a number of services were withdrawn by ČD but summer only Private Operator services are timetabled, see [[Czech Republic - Older General Information]] below.


==Tourist Lines==
==Tourist Lines==
* Česká Kamenice - Kamenický Šenov. Operated by [http://www.kzc.cz KZC “Kamenický Motoracek”] ''Nostalgické a výletní vlaky''.  
* Česká Kamenice - Kamenický Šenov, operated by [https://kzc.cz/?sekce=pravidelne_verejne_vlaky&stranka=kamenicky_motoracek KŽC "Kamenický motoráček"]. See also SŽ table 082
* Zastávka u Brna – Babice u Rosic – Zhýšov (600mm gauge) operated by [http://www.mpz.cz/ Muzeum průmyslových železnic (MPŽ)].
* Zastávka u Brna – Babice u Rosic – Zbýšov (600mm gauge), operated by [http://www.mpz.cz/ Muzeum průmyslových železnic (MPŽ)]  
* Ústí  nad Labem-Střekov - Velké Březno - Zubrnice operated by [http://www.zmz.cz/ Zubrnické museální železnice]. Tourist railway through service operated by [https://www.mbmr.cz MBM rail s.r.o.] - See SŽDC Table T3
* (Ústí  nad Labem-Střekov -) Velké Březno - Zubrnice, operated by [http://www.zmz.cz/ Zubrnické museální železnice]. Through service from Ústí  nad Labem-Střekov operated by [https://www.mbmr.cz MBM rail s.r.o.]. See also SŽ table 073
* Mladějov na Moravě – Nová Ves u Kunčiny – Hřebeč (narrow gauge) operated by Mladějovská Průmyslová Dráha (MPD). See [http://www.mladejov.cz/uvodni-stranka www.mladejov.cz].
* Mladějov na Moravě – Nová Ves u Kunčiny – Hřebeč (narrow gauge, 600mm), operated by Mladějovská Průmyslová Dráha (MPD). See [http://www.mladejov.cz/uvodni-stranka www.mladejov.cz]
* Solvayovy Lomy narrow gauge tourist quarry line near Beroun. [http://nove.solvayovylomy.cz/ See].
* Solvayovy Lomy narrow gauge (600mm) tourist quarry line near Beroun. See [http://www.solvayovylomy.cz/ Solvayovy Lomy]
* Tanvald - Harrachov (036). Tourist trains operated by METRANS Rail. See SŽDC Table ZVL
* Tanvald - Harrachov. Tourist trains operated by METRANS Rail. See [https://www.zubacka.cz/index.php Zubačka], also SŽ table 036/Nostalgické vlaky
* Kolin Sendražice to Bychory (600mm). 6km former sugar beet railway operated by Kolínská řepařská drážka [https://reparskadrazka.cz/cs/uvodni-stranka/ (KŘD)]
* Jindřichov Hradec to Nová Bystřice and Obratán (760mm), Jindřichohradecké mistni dráhy a.s. [https://uzkokolejky.webnode.cz/ JHMD]. Operations ceased on 2 October 2022, but a limited restart is hoped for in 2024


Rail cycling is possible on a number of lines; see the [http://www.draisinenfahrten.de/index.html IG Draisinenfahrten website]. Click on 'International', followed by 'Draisinenlinks' to obtain website details under the heading 'Draisinenstrecken in der Tschechischen Republik (CZ)'.
A list of Tourist lines and draisine operations is available at the [https://www.sinfin.net/railways/world/czech.html Sinfin.net] site


==Metro==
==Metro==
Praha.  
Praha.  


'Green' Line A was extended westwards from Dejvická to Nemocnice Motol on 6 April 2015.
The [https://www.urbanrail.net/eu/cz/praha/praha.htm UrbanRailNet] site has a basic diagram of the metro system along a link to the local operator.


Details and map can be found in "Tram Atlas of Mitteleuropa" by Robert Schwandl (2017).
Details and map can be found in "Tram Atlas of Mitteleuropa" by Robert Schwandl (2017).
Line 182: Line 160:
A track plan is available on the [http://www.doprava.unas.cz/schemata/kolejova/cz.html Doprava] website.
A track plan is available on the [http://www.doprava.unas.cz/schemata/kolejova/cz.html Doprava] website.


==Trams==
DPP organises occasional excursions on each of the three Metro lines. The Zličin (Line B) tour involves travel out of the depot and traversal of the depot triangle and test track. The Kačerov (Line C) tour involves travel out of the depot, while the Kacerov tours in association with KZC also include travel Praha hl.n. - Praha Krč including the connection to Kačerov.
Brno, Liberec, Most-Litvinov, Olomouc, Ostrava, Plzeň, Praha.
 
== Trams/LRT-Systems ==
Brno, Liberec, Most-Litvínov, Olomouc, Ostrava, Plzeň, Praha.
 
The [https://www.urbanrail.net/eu/euromet.htm#cz UrbanRailNet] site has basic diagrams of the tramway systems along with links to the local operators.


Details, maps and track plans can also be found in "Tram Atlas of Mitteleuropa" by Robert Schwandl (2017).  
Details, maps and track plans can also be found in "Tram Atlas of Mitteleuropa" by Robert Schwandl (2017).  


See also [[Czech_Republic_-_Tram_services_over_obscure_routes|Czech Republic - Tram services over obscure routes]]
Track plans for a number of systems are available on the [http://www.doprava.unas.cz/schemata/kolejova/cz.html Doprava] website.


Track plans for a number of systems are available on the [http://www.doprava.unas.cz/schemata/kolejova/cz.html Doprava] website
See also [[Czech_Republic_-_Tram_services_over_obscure_routes|Czech Republic - Tram services over obscure routes]].


==Recent and future changes==
==Recent and future changes==
===Projects under way or planned===


170 The Praha - Plzeň main line cut-off west of Ejpovice was fully opened on 09 December 2018, resulting in the complete closure of the former curved route between between Plzeň Doubravka and Chrástu u Plzně, which is likely to become a cycleway. The cut-off comprises twin tunnels, the southern bore of 4150m being opened on 16 November 2018, when through operation of the 6km former route ceased, and the northern bore of 4174m opening for freight on 07 December 2018 and for passengers two days later. The section of old route from Ejpovice to Chrástu u Plzně  has been retained to access JR176 to Radnice. [http://www.vlaky.net/zeleznice/spravy/5599-Nejdelsi-zeleznicni-tunel-v-CR-prorazi-Viktorie/ See]. [[File:Ejpovice Tunnel Diversion-50px.png|thumb|left]]<br style="clear: both" />
===Future Changes===


180 Doubling and electrification of this route from Plzeň to Furth im Wald is planned over the next year, with work due to have commenced on 01 March 2018 on the section from Plzeň hl.n - Vejprnice, the work involving re-alignment of the Route 170 flyover at Plzeň-Skvrňany.This double track section opened on 30 June 2019.
====Modernization of Praha – Kladno line including branch to Václav Havel Airport====


240/244/250/260/300/340 Major reconstruction of Brno hlavni nádraží station, along with the signalling and control systems and bridge and track renewal, took place over the 2018/19 timetable period ([https://brnodaily.cz/2018/11/27/breaking-news/planned-renovation-of-brno-central-station-to-affect-the-majority-of-connections-for-over-a-year/ See]), resulting in closure of the station as a through route, with consequent alteration to all services ([https://www.idsjmk.cz/kestazeni/VVVB2018EN.pdf See]). Services have reverted to normal routes through Brno hl.n.and all connecting routes with re-opening on 15 December 2019.
Plans for a rail link from central Praha to Václav Havel Airport (previously Ruzyně International Airport) have been in the making for many years.  A project was finally approved in principle in 2016 which would result in a major upgrade to the line between Praha and Kladno and incorporating a branch to the airport from Praha-Ruzyně, delivering an electrified (25kV) double-track railway throughout. By late 2019, with much of the detailed planning completed, the cost was estimated at CZK 40bn (approx. EUR 1.6bn). The SŽ website has a dedicated section for this project (in Czech only) at [https://www.spravazeleznic.cz/zeleznice-na-letiste zeleznice-na-letiste].  The main elements of the project (in geographical sequence) comprise:
[[File:Brno.png|Brno as at July 2017|50px|thumb|left]]<br style="clear: both" />
* Modernisation of Praha Masarykovo nádraží station, which will be the main terminal station for airport services. Work started in January 2024 which will see the number of platforms increased from 7 to 9 and a new raft built over the platforms. Work is expected to be completed in 2027.  [https://www.spravazeleznic.cz/en/zeleznice-na-letiste/useky/modernizace-a-dostavba-zst.-masarykovo-nadrazi Modernizace-a-dostavba-zst.-masarykovo-nadrazi] includes some visualisations of the new station.
* Viaduct between Karlín and Bubny, commonly known as the Negrelli Viaduct after the engineer who designed and built it.  Work to strengthen it for increased speed and capacity took place between July 2017 and June 2020.
* Praha-Bubny – Praha- Výstaviště. Praha-Bubny station will be rebuilt during 2024, slightly south of the old station site and close to the Vltavská metro station.  The viaduct between there and a new station at Výstaviště (Exhibition Centre) is also being completely rebuilt for double-track and electrification. Work formally started in January 2023 and is expected to be completed in early 2025.  While work to construct the new Bubny station is taking place, the running line to Praha-Holešovice zastávka has been temporarily relocated to the east of the work site.
* Praha-Výstaviště - Praha-Dejvice - Praha-Veleslavín. West of Výstaviště the line will enter a new tunnel to reach a new sub-surface Praha-Dejvice station, which will include direct interchange with metro line A. The line will continue in tunnel to just east of Praha-Veleslavín station. The changeover from 3kV to 25kV will be east of Praha-Dejvice.  Work is currently expected to start on this section in 2025 and take around four years.
* Praha-Veleslavín – Praha-Ruzyně. Apart from double tracking / electrification, a new station will be added at Praha-Liboc. Praha-Veleslavín will be rebuilt including direct interchange with metro line A. Work should start on this section in 2025.
* Praha-Ruzyně – Praha Václav Havel Airport. The new branch will be double track throughout and will run to the Schengen passenger terminal, with an intermediate station at Praha-Dlouhá Míle.  Work on this section should start in 2024.
* Praha-Ruzyně – Hostivice – Kladno.  Work to double-track and electrify this section should start in 2024 and take around three years. The work will include some significant realignments and new stations/halts will be built at Malé Přítočno (replacing Unhošť) and Pletený Újezd.
* Praha Václav Havel Airport – Hostivice / Jeneč. This will be the last section to be built and extends the Airport branch westwards back to a triangular junction with the Kladno line near the existing odb. Jeneček (about mid way between Hostivice and Jeneč), primarily to enable trains to/from Kladno to access the Airport. 
* Kladno – Kladno-Ostrovec. This section will also be double-tracked and electrified. Work started in November 2022, with the line as far as Brandýsek temporarily closed from 01 July 2023 for 13 months.
 
====High Speed network / vysokorychlostních tratě (VRT)====
 
In 2017 the Czech government approved a program for the development of a “Rapid Connections” (Rychlých spojení or RS) network within the country, which would include newly built high-speed lines (vysokorychlostních tratí or VRT).  The SŽ website has a dedicated section for this project (in Czech only) at [https://vrtky.cz/ VRT]. Designs are in preparation for four RS/VRT routes:
* RS 1 Prague – Brno – Ostrava (length 385 km)The principal route in the network, from central Praha via new interchange stations at Praha východ (Praha East) and Jihlava to Brno and Ostrava. Construction will include eight sections of high-speed line: VRTs Praha, Polabí, Střední Čechy, Vysočina II, Vysočina I, Haná, Moravská brána I and Moravská brána II. Construction work on the sections east of Brno could start as soon as 2026-2027.
* RS 2 Brno – Břeclav (VRT Jižní Morava, length 44 km). This is a branch from RS 1 at Brno providing a high-speed link for trains to Austria and Slovakia.  In late 2023 this was believed to be the most advanced in terms of design and likely to be the first to be constructed, between 2026 and 2030.
* RS 4 Prague – Ústí nad Labem – Dresden (length 137 km).  Construction on the first phase of this project, VRT Podřipsko from Praha to Lovosice (60km), could start as soon as 2027-2028.  The other phases, VRT Středohorský tunel and Krušnohorský tunel as well as a branch to Most (VRT Pohří) would follow some time after this.
* RS 5 Prague – Hradec Králové/Pardubice – Wrocław (length 273 km), including VRTs Východní Čechy and Podkrkonoší, is in a very early design stage and work is not expected to start before 2040.
 
====Relocation of Brno hlavni nádraží====


The suggested closure of the existing Brno hlavni nádraží station and the main line running through it for redevelopment of the released land remains the policy of the City of Brno and the Region of South Moravia despite considerable opposition. As at June 2018 the latest position was The Central Committee of the Ministry of Transport is considering the four suggested alternatives for an underground transport connection from the proposed new station site by the Svratka River near Brno dolni nádraží on the existing freight line between odb. Černovice and Horní Heršpice. This new transit connection, which some people are calling “Brno’s subway”, is to connect the north of the city with the centre and the south but this and the new station are not yet funded.  
Despite considerable opposition to the closure of Brno hlavni nádraží and the main line running through it, the City of Brno and the Region of South Moravia have decided to site the new main station in the Trnitá urban redevelopment area by the Svratka River. This will be on the site of Brno dolni nádraží on the freight line between odb. Černovice and Horní Heršpice. The new station will have 14 platforms and a regional bus station. In 2023 the cost was estimated at €1·8bn with completion 2032-35.<br />
The decision is clearly driven by a wish to redevelop the land released by the closure of Brno hl n. As at June 2018 the Central Committee of the Ministry of Transport was considering the four suggested alternatives for an underground transport connection from the new station. This new transit connection, which some people are calling “Brno’s subway”, is to connect the north of the city with the centre and the south but this is not yet funded.


291 The privately owned line from Šumperk to Kouty nad Desnou has been electrified, the 3km Sobotin branch remaining diesel operated. Both lines have now reverted to ČD operation.
Construction work at the new Brno hl.n. site is unlikely to start before 2028, however there will be a number of preparatory projects on the approaches to the new station. Work will start in 2024 to rebuild Brno Židenice station and to quadruple the line between there and odb. Černovice.  


089 Cross-border services operated by 'Trilex' (Die Länderbahn GmbH) between Varnsdorf-pivovar Kocour and Seifhennersdorf DB remain cancelled and replaced by bus (SEV) (since 31 March 2015). No service is shown in the current CD timetable but can be found [https://www.laenderbahn.com/downloads/Fpl_20.pdf here].
====Other projects under way or planned====


097 Services between Lovosice and Radejčín were replaced by buses in June 2013 because of flood damage. On 29 March 2018 SŽDC announced that reconstruction of this section was too expensive and that the landslide-damaged section would be abandoned, with services remaining bus-replaced. [http://zdopravy.cz/zasypanou-trat-z-lovosic-do-teplic-stat-pres-puvodni-sliby-neobnovi-vlaky-nahradi-autobusy-9713/ See].  
097: In February 2020 the CZ Ministry of Transport approved plans for re-construction of the flood-damaged section between Chotiměř and Radejčín. Several different detailed schemes have been proposed for rebuilding this section but the latest estimate is that it will not reopen before 2026.
132 Děčín hl.n.- Oldřichov u Duchcova: Dependent on Správa železnic, re-opening of the Děčín hl.n. - Telnice section as Line 139  for summer-only weekend services by KZC doprava from 02 April 2022. ([https://zdopravy.cz/kpt-rail-chce-vyjet-na-kozi-drahu-podle-spravy-zeleznic-by-oprava-stala-pres-sto-milionu-40328/?fbclid=IwAR2-cYXpHpxKcD122BLWeg82jagnHuWro1pFjFCjlPgipy1Urg-zKII-7nc See]). The line was closed to passengers in December 2007, Telnice - Oldřichov u Duchcova was closed completely in 2011 and the track is now in very poor condition with rails stolen from some locations. Seasonal trains operated irregularly over the Děčín hl.n. – Telnice section from 2013 until 26 October 2015, after which the whole line was taken out of use due to the poor state of the track. [https://www.idnes.cz/usti/zpravy/kozi-draha-kpt-rail-vlaky-doprava-cyklostezka-decin-teplice-szdc.A191210_519617_usti-zpravy_pakr?galerie See].


The long planned rail link from central Praha to Ruzyně Airport will involve double-tracking and 3 kV DC electrification of the Masarykovo - Dejvice - Praha-Ruzyně line, with a new branch to the airport. ([http://www.praha-kladno.cz/  See]). Reconstruction started in June 2017 of the 1850-built  'Negrelli' viaduct over the Vltava river, just north of Praha Masarykovo, involving a total closure from 04 July 2017. The line is not expected to reopen until June 2020, during which time route 120 trains from Kladno will terminate at a temporary station, Praha-Bubny Vltavska, located south of Praha Bubny and connected to the Metro Line C Vltavska station by a new entrance opened 15 August 2017. Trains on other routes e.g.090 to Praha-Masarykovo are diverted via Praha-Holešovice to Praha h.ln.
202 Tábor - Bechyně: Conversion of the electrification to 25kV AC from 1500V DC (originally 700V DC) was approved on 31 January 2020, for implementation in 2023-24. However disagreements between SŽ and the Government led to the scheme being deferred in 2023 and there is currently no estimate for when the work might start.


312 (Bruntál – Malá Moravká), previously at risk of total closure, now appears in the new timetable as Table 312. A measuring train visited the line in July 2015 and a railtour in February 2016. However, following track repairs, services operating during summer weekends and on public holidays began on 30 June 2018, operated by MBM Rail and Slezsky Zeleznicni Spolek, after funding for seasonal services for at least seven years was secured.
180 Doubling and electrification of this route from Plzeň to Furth im Wald is planned. Work on the first section, from Plzeň hl.n - Vejprnice involving re-alignment of the Route 170 flyover at Plzeň-Skvrňany commenced on 01 March 2018, this double track section opening on 30 June 2019. Between Plzen and Zbuch a new 200km/h line will be built, the old line through Nýřany being retained and electrified, while between Stod and Holýšov and Blizejov and Domažlice new lines will be built and the old alignments abandoned. [https://zdopravy.cz/rychlost-200-km-h-sprava-zeleznic-hleda-projektanta-nove-dvoukolejky-z-plzne-do-stodu-64172/ See.]


Significant realignment work has been a theme in recent years with completion of a higher speed allowing curve immediately to the east of Usti nad Orlici on the Praha - České Trebova main line and a new 2km section south of Veseli nad Lužnici on the Praha - České-Budějovice line. In the future there is a proposal to upgrade between Česká Lípa and Mimon on the line to Liberec by 2022 which would involve around 2km of line straightening plus the relocation of Zákupy station.  
Significant realignment work has been a theme in recent years with completion of a higher speed allowing curve immediately to the east of Usti nad Orlici on the Praha - České Trebova main line and a new 2km section south of Veseli nad Lužnici on the Praha - České-Budějovice line. In the future there is a proposal to upgrade between Česká Lípa and Mimon on the line to Liberec by 2022 which would involve around 2km of line straightening plus the relocation of Zákupy station.  


The re-opening and electrifying of the 3km branch from Hrošovany u Brna - Židlochovice which closed in 1979 took place on 15 December 2019 and services appear in Table 251.
070 Proposals announced in August 2018 to build a new electrified double track beside the D10 motorway line around the east of Mladá Boleslav from JR071 at Bezděčín to allow freight trains from Nymburk to reach the Skoda auto plant at Mladá Boleslav město without going through Mladá Boleslav hl.n. Construction could begin in 2019-2020. A new station, Mladá Boleslav východ, is proposed on the link which would form part of a future Praha -  Mladá Boleslav passenger route if the Všejanská spojka (Lysá nad Labem - Milovice - Čachovice) projected line is built in the future. Mladá Boleslav hl.n is proposed to be completely rebuilt under the proposals. A direct curve from Mladá Boleslav město to line JR070 to avoid reversal at Mladá Boleslav hl.n is also planned. [https://zdopravy.cz/nova-zeleznicni-trat-i-silnice-stat-slibuje-skode-auto-pres-7-miliard-do-dopravy-14551/ See].


143 In July 2018 SŽDC announced electrification of JR143 Kadaň-Prunéřov - Kadaň at 25kV, the work to be completed in 2021/22, 26 months from signing of contracts.  
232 Work started in November 2022 on upgrading the section of line between Mstětice and Čelákovice, including a new alignment of approximately 1km east of Mstětice and one of just under 2km south of Čelákovice which will enable the line speed to be increased. [https://zdopravy.cz/sz-poklepem-odstartovala-modernizaci-useku-mstetice-celakovice-naplno-se-prace-rozbehnou-pristi-rok-133642/ See].


070 Proposals announced in August 2018 to build a new electrified double track beside the D10 motorway line around the east of Mladá Boleslav from JR071 at Bezděčín to allow freight trains from Nymburk to reach the Skoda auto plant at Mladá Boleslav město without going through Mladá Boleslav hl.n. Construction could begin in 2019-2020. A new station, Mladá Boleslav východ, is proposed on the link which would form part of a future Praha -  Mladá Boleslav passenger route if the Všejanská spojka (Lysá nad Labem - Milovice - Čachovice) projected line is built in the future. Mladá Boleslav hl.n is proposed to be completely rebuilt under the proposals. A direct curve from Mladá Boleslav město to line JR070 to avoid reversal at Mladá Boleslav hl.n is also planned. [https://zdopravy.cz/nova-zeleznicni-trat-i-silnice-stat-slibuje-skode-auto-pres-7-miliard-do-dopravy-14551/ See].
Praha Metro Line B is to be extended from Zličin to Zličin metro depot. Construction work is now expected to start in 2026. [https://www.denik.cz/regiony/depo-metro-stanice-zlicin-parkovaci-dum-p-r-projekt.html See].
 
Closure of the eastern section of the metre gauge Liberec tramway interurban branch to Jablonec nad Nisou, between Liberec and Vratislavice from 18 July 2021 up to 19 November 2021, for conversion to standard gauge [1435 mm]. The remaining metre gauge section; from Vratislavice to the terminus at Jablonec nad Nisou also closed on 18 July 2021, for conversion to standard gauge, but this is expected to reopen during 2024. During the closure, metre gauge tramcars are being converted to standard gauge.


===Recent changes===
===Recent changes===
====Changes with the timetable commencing 15 December 2019====
====Changes with the timetable commencing 10 December 2023====
 
====Changes with the timetable commencing 11 December 2022====
 
=====(Re)openings=====
=====(Re)openings=====


* 113/U10 [Former T4] Čížkovice - Obrnice; a full public rail service now operates from Litoměřice horní nádraží – Most run by AZD Praha.
* 089 (DB KBS 236) Varnsdorf Pivovar Kocour – Seifhennersdorf (DE) reopened on 11 June 2023 after 8 years of 'temporary closure', operated by 'Trilex'.
* 251 Hrušovany u Brna - Židlochovice
* The interurban tramway between Most and Litvínov reopened on 1 May 2023 after some 2 years of closure for modernisation and rebuilding.
* 304 Kojetín – Tovačov reopened on 1 July 2023 for a summer Saturday service running until 2 September, operated by Railway Capital, a.s.
 
=====Temporary Reopening=====
 
* 240: Following damage to the viaduct over the Svratka river south of Brno hl.n. in December 2022, most weekday S4 services were diverted from 9 January 2023 to instead use Brno dolní nádraží thereby reopening this station with a regular service.  This continued until the year-end timetable change in December 2023.


=====Closures=====
=====Closures=====


* 001/011 Praha-Vršovice – Praha-Malešice – Praha-Běchovice: Passenger services over this freight line ceased with the new timetable.
* 062 Městec Králové - Křinec
* 090 Ústí nad Labem Jih. Ústí nad Labem západ (Ústí nad Labem avoiding line). No service due to withdrawal of 1522 SX Lovosice to Ústí nad Labem západ service
* 262 Boskovice Velké Opatovice from 10 June 2023
* 137 (part) Vejprty - Cranzahl (DE). The summer weekend cross-border service on this line ceased on 29 September 2019.
 
=====Temporary Closures=====


====Changes with the timetable commencing 09 December 2018====
* 093: Kladno - Brandýsek closed on 01 July 2023 for an expected period of 13 months for electrification work between Kladno and Kladno-Ostrovec
=====Closures=====
* 255 Hodonín - Kobylí na Moravě weekday services permanently withdrawn from from 12 June 2023, but weekend services also withdrawn due to engineering work from the same date until December 2023
* 120: The line between Praha Bubny and Praha Dejvice closed temporarily from 12 March 2023 for upgrade work associated with the Kladno line / airport branch project.


* 178 Svojšín – Bor (CD Service). GW Train Regio operate a summer Saturday service. Note that the timetable is now under Line 186.
====Changes with the timetable commencing 12 December 2021====


====Changes with the timetable commencing 10 December 2017====
=====(Re)openings=====
=====(Re)openings=====


* 026 - Meziměstí - Boguszów Gorce Wschód (Poland) from 3 April 2018. Summer-only service run by Polish local operator Koleje Dolnośląskie (KD) with GW Train Regio responsible for operation in the Czech Republic.
* A 1.2 km extension of Olomouc tramway lines 3 & 5, from Trnkova to U Kaplicky, opened on 1 November 2022.
* 233 - Čelákovice - Mochov re-opened from 03 April 2018
* 132: Dĕčin to Telnice reopened to summer weekend traffic on 02 April 2022, operated by KŽC.
* 312 - Bruntál Malá Moravká re-opened summer weekends and public holidays 30 June 2018
* 222: Vlašim – Trhový Štěpánov reopened to summer weekend traffic on 4 June 2022, operated by Railway Capital a.s.
* Strančice – Velke Popovice. This 6km branch to the Kozel brewery at Velké Popovice was reopened for weekend passenger traffic on 1 July 2018 after 13 years of disuse.
* 220: [Part] Votice Sudoměřice u Tábora new line opened 30 June 2022.
* 232: A new double-track bridge over the River Elbe north of Čelákovice was opened on 12 December 2021, having been built alongside the original structure.


=====Closures=====
=====Closures=====


* 016 - Borohrádek - Holice 10 June 2018
* 094: Vraňany - Lužec nad Vltavou
* 024 - Mlýnický Dvůr - Štíty (weekends-only) 10 June 2018
* 204: Březnice – Rožmitál pod Třemšínem
* 170 - Plzeň Doubravka - Chrástu u Plzně 16 November 2018. Route replaced by Ejpovice Tunnel diversion.
* 222: Vlašim – Trhový Štěpánov, but note summer weekend reopening, above.
 
* 220: [Part] Votice – Sudoměřice u Tábora closed from 02 April 2022 for replacement by new line
====Changes with the timetable commencing 11 December 2016====
* 228: Jindřichův Hradec – Obrataň <i>and</i>
=====Closures=====
* 229: Jindřichův Hradec – Nová Bystřice. These two narrow gauge lines suspended and replaced by bus services from 3 October 2022 as a result of the expiry of the operating licence of the owning company, JHMD. They hope to resume service at some point, and are apparently using the suspension to refurbish track and rolling stock.


* 120 - Praha-Bubny - Praha-Masarykovo (Excl.) 04 July 2017; due to reconstruction of "Negrelli" viaduct, until June 2020.
====Changes with the timetable commencing 13 December 2020====
* 122 - Praha-Žvahov - Praha-Smíchov Na Knížecí; services diverted to Praha hl.n.
* 244 - Ivančice - Oslavany


=====(Re)openings=====
=====(Re)openings=====


* 120 - Praha-Bubny - Praha-Bubny Vltavska 04 July 2017. Line 120 services to/from Kladno diverted to new temporary platform, until June 2020.
* 221: [Part] New line Praha-Vršovice - Praha-Hostivař via Praha-Eden opened.
* 017 - Chornice - Velké Opatovice, re-establishing a connection with Skalice nad Svitavou
* 001/011 Praha-Vršovice – Praha-Malešice – Praha-Běchovice: Passenger services (one pair) re-introduced over this freight line.
* Former 113 Čížkovice - Obrnice; a public rail service will operate at weekends and national holidays for five years, until 2021.
* 132 - Želina - Poláky; weekend seasonal service


====Changes with the timetable commencing 13 December 2015====
=====Closures=====
=====Closures=====


None
* 017 (Part) Chornice – Velké Opatovice
* 221: (Part) Praha-Vršovice - Praha-Hostivař via Praha-Strašnice zastávka closed to all traffic, replaced by new route through former freight yard.


=====(Re)openings=====
Passenger service withdrawals:
* 012 (part, formerly 013) : Bošice - Bečváry with effect from 01 June 2021.
* 063: Bakov nad Jizerou – Dolní Bousov, with effect from 01 November 2021.
* 095: Straškov – Zlonice with effect from 01 November 2021.
* 193: Netolice - Dívčice (- Číčenice) and Číčenice - Týn nad Vltavou, with effect from 25 June 2021 after carrier KPT ceased rail operations
* 233: Čelákovice - Mochov with effect from 30 October 2021.


* 076 - Melnik - Mšeno
====Changes with the timetable commencing 15 December 2019====
* 137 - Vejprty - Barenstein (Germany)
240/244/250/260/300/340 Major reconstruction of Brno hlavni nádraží station, along with the signalling and control systems and bridge and track renewal, took place over the 2018/19 timetable period, resulting in closure of the station as a through route, with consequent alteration to all services. Services have reverted to normal routes through Brno hl.n.and all connecting routes with re-opening on 15 December 2019.
* 148 - Aš - Selb-Plößberg (Germany)
[[File:Brno.png|Brno as at July 2017|50px|thumb|left]]<br style="clear: both" />
* 322 - Český Těšin - Cieszyn (Poland)
* 832 - Bohumín/Bohumín-Vrbice – Chałupki (Poland); EC services to/from Warszawa


====Changes with the timetable commencing 14 December 2014====
=====(Re)openings=====
* 094 Vraňany - Lužec nad Vltavou: Line re-opened 01 July 2020 to a new fully accessible platform some 100m short of the former station, after installation of canal lift bridge. [https://zdopravy.cz/lokalka-se-vraci-do-luzce-most-pres-kanal-je-hotov-zvedat-se-zacne-az-pristi-rok-52480/ See]. 
* 097 (Part) - Litoměřice horní nádraží – Chotiměř on 06 June 2020 with SSuO services until 27 September 2020 operated by  AŽD Praha.
* 120 - Praha-Bubny - Praha-Masarykovo (excl.) and the Praha Masarykovo avoiding curve: on 1 June 2020, following reopening of the "Negrelli" viaduct, closed since 4 July 2017.
* 113/U10 [Former T4] Čížkovice - Obrnice; a full public rail service now operates from Litoměřice horní nádraží – Most run by AZD Praha.
* 251 Hrušovany u Brna - Židlochovice. This included electrification.
* A 1.4 km extension of Plzeň Tram line 4 to Borský Park in the Borská Pole industrial zone.


{| width="100%"
| 064
| extended to cover part of former table 076 route from Mladá Boleslav to Mšeno
|-
| 083
| extended to cover Dolní Poustevna - Bad Schandau [Germany] - Děčín, resulting from the reopening of Dolní Poustevna - Sebnitz [Germany]
|}
=====Closures=====
=====Closures=====


{| width="100%"
* 001/011 Praha-Vršovice – Praha-Malešice – Praha-Běchovice: Passenger services over this freight line ceased with the new timetable.
* 137 - Vejprty - Barenstein [Germany]
* 015 (Part)Heřmanův Městec - Prachovice service withdrawn 27 September 2020.
|}
* 090 Ústí nad Labem Jih. – Ústí nad Labem západ (Ústí nad Labem avoiding line). No service due to withdrawal of 1522 SX Lovosice to Ústí nad Labem západ train
* 094 Vraňany - Lužec nad Vltavou: Temporary closure until 01 July 2020 for replacement of the bridge over the Vraňansko-hořínský Canal with a lifting bridge. 
=====(Re)openings=====
* 164 (Part) Hradec u Kadanĕ - Poláky: The one March-to-October weekend-only train pair which extends past Kadaň on this branch from Kadaň-Prunéřov will be truncated by 5km and only run to the former request stop of Hradec u Kadanĕ in 2020. It last ran to Poláky in October 2019. However, it should be noted that summer Weekend services operated by Railway Capital continue over the whole line.
 
{| width="100%"
* 016 - Holice - Borohradek
* 017 - Chornice - Dzbel
* 090 - Dolní Zálezly - Ústí nad Labem západ curve
* 270 - A new 2.9 km line from Sedlnice to Ostrava (Mošnov) airport (13 April 2015).
|}


====Older Changes====
====Older Changes====
Line 309: Line 314:
==Special Notes==
==Special Notes==


Many of the diesel routes are worked by railcars with trailers: some of these workings divide en route but may not be clearly marked. At busy junctions in the country areas it can be difficult to ascertain which is which train; often a notice placed on the ground near the train is the only clue. Sometimes a plate on the side of the railcar will show the train's destination, but these are not always correct; also, beware of some vehicles, especially un-powered coaches, terminating short of the final destination.
At busy junctions in country areas it can sometimes be difficult to ascertain which is which train. Most units have a digital display on each side of the train but some older units only have a paper notice or laminated card in the door window. If there is any doubt, the departure indicator in the station should give the track number; these are numbered outwards from the station building starting at 1. Track numbers are often not given until shortly before departure to prevent people walking across the tracks when there may be train movements. Platform numbers can also be found by using the ČD app (''"Můj Vlak"'').
 
At certain branch line termini or reversal points when the stock used is a railcar and trailer coach, the railcar will run round its trailer. By remaining on the railcar during this manoeuvre, a considerable extra distance beyond the terminal station platforms may be covered.


At the following locations trains on the indicated route make a reversal manoeuvre away from the main station area:
At the following locations trains on the indicated route make a reversal manoeuvre away from the main station area:
Line 322: Line 329:
==See also==
==See also==
{{Navbox Czech Republic}}
{{Navbox Czech Republic}}
[[Category:General Information]]

Latest revision as of 08:37, 21 March 2024

Country Name

Czech Republic / Czechia (Česká Republika)

National railway system

České dráhy was the state railway operator until January 1st 2003, when it was replaced by the state-owned administrator / infrastructure manager now named Správa železnic (SŽ) and the České dráhy, a.s. group of carrier companies. Since 2010 the network has been managed using a public service obligation framework, under which the regional governments can procure and subsidize carriers to operate lines within their region while the Ministry of Transport can similarly procure and subsidize carriers to operate long distance (R and Ex category) services. Open access international services began to operate in 2011.

Note: In the Czech Republic, companies that actually operate the trains are referred to as “carriers”, while the term “operators” is used to identify companies that manage the infrastructure and operations on railway lines.

National Railway Operator

České Dráhy a.s. (ČD) remains the predominant carrier

Other Operators

Open Access Carriers:

  • Regiojet a.s. operate services between between Praha and Budapest via Brno, between Praha and Przemyśl via Bohumín and Kraków, and between Praha and Košice via Bohumín and Žilina
  • Leo Express a.s. operate services between Praha and Kraków via Bohumín and between Praha and Košice via Bohumín and Žilina

Other Carriers:

  • Arriva vlaky s.r.o. operate an extensive portfolio of long distance services and local services in the Zlínský, Plzeňský and Liberecký regions
  • AŽD Praha s.r.o. operate services on two lines from Lovosice in the Ústecký region
  • Die Länderbahn CZ s.r.o. operate local services in the Ústecký region, and in the Liberecký region under the Trilex brand name
  • Gepard Express SE operate a pair of overnight trains between Brno and Wien Airport, subsidized by Brno City Council
  • GW Train Regio a.s. operate an extensive portfolio of local services in the Olomoucký / Královéhradecký / Ústecký / Karlovarský / Plzeňský / Jihočeský regions plus the Plzeň to Most long distance service (R25)
  • KŽC Doprava s.r.o. operate some of the S34 and S43 local services in the Praha area (SŽ tables 071 and 092), plus a range of tourist services during the summer months using their own heritage stock
  • Leo Express Tenders s.r.o. operate some local services for the Pardubický region and between Lichov and Wrocław (Poland) (SŽ table 025)
  • MBM rail s.r.o. do not own any passenger stock but have a passenger carrier licence and operates some tourist and nostalgia services
  • METRANS Rail s.r.o. do not own any passenger stock but have a passenger carrier licence and operates some tourist and nostalgia services
  • Railway Capital a.s operate tourist services on six lines during the summer months
  • Regiojet a.s. in addition to their open access services also operate state supported long distance services between Bohumín and Brno (R8) and between Kolín and Ústí nad Labem (R23)
  • Regiojet ÚK a.s. operate local services in the Ústecký region
  • Slezské zemské dráhy, o.p.s operate services on the narrow gauge (760mm) Třemešná ve Slezsku to Osoblaha line (SŽ table 298)

A full list of passenger and freight carriers can be found here.

Language

Czech

Currency

Czech Koruna

UIC code

numeric 54, alpha CZ

Timetable

Journey Planner

Domestic Travel

Actual Train Times

Downloadable Timetable

The full timetable is available from both the SŽ website and the ČD website as individual PDF files. Timetable updates can also be found on this unofficial site.

Station departure sheets can be printed from the SŽ website, while train formation details can be found on the ČD website.

Scans of historical timetables from 1988, 1944 and 1918 are available on the Zelpage website.

Printed Timetable

Železniční Jízdní Řád. All operators' trains are included. Printed in Czech throughout but with general instructions in English, German and French. Supplements are issued but from 2019 have been only issued online. A fold-out, near-geographic route diagram is included in the timetable, and there are enlargements of the Praha, Brno and Ostrava areas.

From 2023 the timetable book has been published by Zdopravy.cz on behalf of SŽ, the Czech infrastructure authority, rather than directly by ČD. Availability is limited as station booking offices no longer appear to stock it. At Praha hlavní nádraží (the main station) the 2023/24 edition appears only to be available from the "Pont" newsagents on the lower concourse at a price of CZK199 (approximately €8).

Additional Notes on reading the Timetable

  • The "crossed hammers" working days symbol means "Mondays to Fridays" and not, as for most other railways, "Mondays to Saturdays".
  • Two useful symbols exist which show the booked route for trains not calling at a station: in the middle of the train column, a vertical bar "|" means that the train passes through the station without stopping, whereas a vertical 'wiggly line' ">" and "<" means that the train does not pass through that station but instead takes a different route. This must not be confused with a vertical 'wiggly line' to the left of the time, which means that the train runs only on certain days.

Engineering Information

ČD website Omezení provozu. Shows map of current engineering works; select "Omezení Provozu Podle Tratí a Kraju" or "Omezení Provozu Podle Vlaku" for Traffic restrictions by line ("Trať") or region ("Trať") or by trains ("Vlaku") respectively, then "Dnes" (today), "Zítra" (tomorrow) or "datum" (date), or by clicking on a region on the map.

Bus Information

Access the IDOS website and click on the English (or German) icon (given by small flags) in the menu drop-down.

Maps

Printed Maps

  • European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition) by M.G. Ball.
  • European Railway Atlas (Regional Series: Book 3) by M.G. Ball.
  • The "Atlas Drah, Ceské Republiky 2006-2007” is a hard backed very detailed 1:200000 map by Zdenék Hudec (ISBN 80-87047-00-1), generally available in large ČD station bookstalls and Information Offices. It shows numerous freight-only lines and also has Tram and Trolley bus system maps. However, unlike the previous edition, the indexed key of numbered highlights from each page is only in Czech.
  • The Czech Tourist Club produces a series of 95 1:50000 walking maps which are often available in station kiosks for the local area.

Web-based Maps

Ticketing

ČD offers an All-Day ticket (Celodenní jízdenka), valid only on its own trains, but which is much better value than the standard One Country passes when using their trains. These tickets are available for individual regions (‘kraj’) or for the entire network. In recent years a highly discounted one or two-week ČD Summer Ticket (Jízdenka na léto) has also been available (in 2023 from 01 July - 31 August). It should be noted that the individual regions are increasingly offering tickets under their own regional integrated ticket systems, particularly in Jihomoravský (South Moravia) where it is no longer possible to buy a ČD local ticket for travel only within the region. Local tickets to destinations outside of the area are unaffected.

Since December 2020, the OneTicket has been available, allowing travel with most railway carriers except Leo Express and enabling through journeys involving more than one carrier to be booked. A small supplement is required for certain long distance services operated by ČD and Regiojet. Regular travellers can purchase period tickets, it is also possible to purchase network-wide tickets for a day or for a period.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Authority

Since 1 January 2003 infrastructure has been managed by a state organization, which is currently Správa železnic(). Prior to 1 January 2020 the name was Správa železniční dopravní cesty (SŽDC).

Network Statement

Our railway > How to operate on our railway > Network Statements (by year)

Gauge

Standard, except for the 760 mm gauge routes from Jindřichúv Hradec to Obrataň and Nová Bystřice, and from Třemešná ve Slezsku to Osoblaha.

Part of the Liberec tram system is 1000 mm gauge.

Electrification

Generally, lines to the north and east of Praha are electrified at 3 kV DC, whereas those to the west and south of Praha are electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz. The two systems meet at

  • km 42,360 between Beroun Králův Dvůr and Beroun Králův Dvůr-Popovice on the line between Praha and Plzeň;
  • Benešov u Prahy, on the line between Praha and České Budějovice;
  • Klášterec nad Ohri, near Kadaň on the line between Chomutov and Karlovy Vary;
  • Kutná Hora, on the line between Kolín and Brno;
  • Svitavy-Lány, on the line between Česká Třebova and Brno;
  • Nezamyslice, on the line between Přerov and Brno; and
  • Říkovice, on the line between Přerov and Břeclav.

There is an isolated 1500 V dc branch in the south from Tábor to Bechyně which in January 2020 was approved by the Regional Government for conversion to 25 kv in 2023/24 but this needs to be ratified by the Transport Ministry.
Retz (Austria) - Šatov - Znojmo is electrified at 15 kV AC.

The Transport ministry decided in December 2016 that SŽDC (now SŽ) must convert all 3 kV DC lines to 25 kV AC in a programme to be implemented between 2025 and 2040. A 43 km section of the Břeclav – Přerov main line (Nedakonice – Říkovice) was converted on 14 Jul 2022. It seems Šatov - Znojmo will not be converted.

Rule of the road

Right-hand. Bohumín - Břeclav converted from left-hand to right-hand running on 9 December 2012. An unusual flyover arrangement existed at the eastern end of the Přerov avoiding line to effect a changeover, now no longer required. Most double-tracked routes are reversibly signalled and often used as such.

Distances

  • Annex B of the Network Statement 2023 gives the total length of each line in column 5, in addition to other information.
  • On the Atlaskolejowy website select the line from the drop down list labelled 'Wykaz linii kolejowych w Czechach' .
  • The "Atlas Drah, Ceské Republiky 2006-2007” gives detailed distances. See Maps above.

Other Railways

The following timetable routes form part of the national network but are not owned or managed (operated) by SŽ:

  • 032 - Trutnov hl. n. - Svoboda nad Úpou, operated by PDV Railway a.s. (with ČD as the carrier)
  • 145 - (Karlovy Vary dolní nádraží –) Sokolov - Kraslice, operated by PDV Railway a.s. (with GW Train Regio a.s. as the carrier)
  • 291 - Šumperk - Petrov nad Desnou - Kouty nad Desnou and Petrov nad Desnou - Sobotin, operated by SART a.s. (with ČD as the carrier on the Kouty nad Desnou line but no service on the branch to Sobotín)
  • 313 - Milotice nad Opavou - Vrbno pod Pradědem, operated by PKP Cargo International a.s. (with GW Train Regio a.s. as the carrier)

Tourist Lines

  • Česká Kamenice - Kamenický Šenov, operated by KŽC "Kamenický motoráček". See also SŽ table 082
  • Zastávka u Brna – Babice u Rosic – Zbýšov (600mm gauge), operated by Muzeum průmyslových železnic (MPŽ)
  • (Ústí nad Labem-Střekov -) Velké Březno - Zubrnice, operated by Zubrnické museální železnice. Through service from Ústí nad Labem-Střekov operated by MBM rail s.r.o.. See also SŽ table 073
  • Mladějov na Moravě – Nová Ves u Kunčiny – Hřebeč (narrow gauge, 600mm), operated by Mladějovská Průmyslová Dráha (MPD). See www.mladejov.cz
  • Solvayovy Lomy narrow gauge (600mm) tourist quarry line near Beroun. See Solvayovy Lomy
  • Tanvald - Harrachov. Tourist trains operated by METRANS Rail. See Zubačka, also SŽ table 036/Nostalgické vlaky
  • Kolin Sendražice to Bychory (600mm). 6km former sugar beet railway operated by Kolínská řepařská drážka (KŘD)
  • Jindřichov Hradec to Nová Bystřice and Obratán (760mm), Jindřichohradecké mistni dráhy a.s. JHMD. Operations ceased on 2 October 2022, but a limited restart is hoped for in 2024

A list of Tourist lines and draisine operations is available at the Sinfin.net site

Metro

Praha.

The UrbanRailNet site has a basic diagram of the metro system along a link to the local operator.

Details and map can be found in "Tram Atlas of Mitteleuropa" by Robert Schwandl (2017).

A track plan is available on the Doprava website.

DPP organises occasional excursions on each of the three Metro lines. The Zličin (Line B) tour involves travel out of the depot and traversal of the depot triangle and test track. The Kačerov (Line C) tour involves travel out of the depot, while the Kacerov tours in association with KZC also include travel Praha hl.n. - Praha Krč including the connection to Kačerov.

Trams/LRT-Systems

Brno, Liberec, Most-Litvínov, Olomouc, Ostrava, Plzeň, Praha.

The UrbanRailNet site has basic diagrams of the tramway systems along with links to the local operators.

Details, maps and track plans can also be found in "Tram Atlas of Mitteleuropa" by Robert Schwandl (2017).

Track plans for a number of systems are available on the Doprava website.

See also Czech Republic - Tram services over obscure routes.

Recent and future changes

Future Changes

Modernization of Praha – Kladno line including branch to Václav Havel Airport

Plans for a rail link from central Praha to Václav Havel Airport (previously Ruzyně International Airport) have been in the making for many years. A project was finally approved in principle in 2016 which would result in a major upgrade to the line between Praha and Kladno and incorporating a branch to the airport from Praha-Ruzyně, delivering an electrified (25kV) double-track railway throughout. By late 2019, with much of the detailed planning completed, the cost was estimated at CZK 40bn (approx. EUR 1.6bn). The SŽ website has a dedicated section for this project (in Czech only) at zeleznice-na-letiste. The main elements of the project (in geographical sequence) comprise:

  • Modernisation of Praha Masarykovo nádraží station, which will be the main terminal station for airport services. Work started in January 2024 which will see the number of platforms increased from 7 to 9 and a new raft built over the platforms. Work is expected to be completed in 2027. Modernizace-a-dostavba-zst.-masarykovo-nadrazi includes some visualisations of the new station.
  • Viaduct between Karlín and Bubny, commonly known as the Negrelli Viaduct after the engineer who designed and built it. Work to strengthen it for increased speed and capacity took place between July 2017 and June 2020.
  • Praha-Bubny – Praha- Výstaviště. Praha-Bubny station will be rebuilt during 2024, slightly south of the old station site and close to the Vltavská metro station. The viaduct between there and a new station at Výstaviště (Exhibition Centre) is also being completely rebuilt for double-track and electrification. Work formally started in January 2023 and is expected to be completed in early 2025. While work to construct the new Bubny station is taking place, the running line to Praha-Holešovice zastávka has been temporarily relocated to the east of the work site.
  • Praha-Výstaviště - Praha-Dejvice - Praha-Veleslavín. West of Výstaviště the line will enter a new tunnel to reach a new sub-surface Praha-Dejvice station, which will include direct interchange with metro line A. The line will continue in tunnel to just east of Praha-Veleslavín station. The changeover from 3kV to 25kV will be east of Praha-Dejvice. Work is currently expected to start on this section in 2025 and take around four years.
  • Praha-Veleslavín – Praha-Ruzyně. Apart from double tracking / electrification, a new station will be added at Praha-Liboc. Praha-Veleslavín will be rebuilt including direct interchange with metro line A. Work should start on this section in 2025.
  • Praha-Ruzyně – Praha Václav Havel Airport. The new branch will be double track throughout and will run to the Schengen passenger terminal, with an intermediate station at Praha-Dlouhá Míle. Work on this section should start in 2024.
  • Praha-Ruzyně – Hostivice – Kladno. Work to double-track and electrify this section should start in 2024 and take around three years. The work will include some significant realignments and new stations/halts will be built at Malé Přítočno (replacing Unhošť) and Pletený Újezd.
  • Praha Václav Havel Airport – Hostivice / Jeneč. This will be the last section to be built and extends the Airport branch westwards back to a triangular junction with the Kladno line near the existing odb. Jeneček (about mid way between Hostivice and Jeneč), primarily to enable trains to/from Kladno to access the Airport.
  • Kladno – Kladno-Ostrovec. This section will also be double-tracked and electrified. Work started in November 2022, with the line as far as Brandýsek temporarily closed from 01 July 2023 for 13 months.

High Speed network / vysokorychlostních tratě (VRT)

In 2017 the Czech government approved a program for the development of a “Rapid Connections” (Rychlých spojení or RS) network within the country, which would include newly built high-speed lines (vysokorychlostních tratí or VRT). The SŽ website has a dedicated section for this project (in Czech only) at VRT. Designs are in preparation for four RS/VRT routes:

  • RS 1 Prague – Brno – Ostrava (length 385 km). The principal route in the network, from central Praha via new interchange stations at Praha východ (Praha East) and Jihlava to Brno and Ostrava. Construction will include eight sections of high-speed line: VRTs Praha, Polabí, Střední Čechy, Vysočina II, Vysočina I, Haná, Moravská brána I and Moravská brána II. Construction work on the sections east of Brno could start as soon as 2026-2027.
  • RS 2 Brno – Břeclav (VRT Jižní Morava, length 44 km). This is a branch from RS 1 at Brno providing a high-speed link for trains to Austria and Slovakia. In late 2023 this was believed to be the most advanced in terms of design and likely to be the first to be constructed, between 2026 and 2030.
  • RS 4 Prague – Ústí nad Labem – Dresden (length 137 km). Construction on the first phase of this project, VRT Podřipsko from Praha to Lovosice (60km), could start as soon as 2027-2028. The other phases, VRT Středohorský tunel and Krušnohorský tunel as well as a branch to Most (VRT Pohří) would follow some time after this.
  • RS 5 Prague – Hradec Králové/Pardubice – Wrocław (length 273 km), including VRTs Východní Čechy and Podkrkonoší, is in a very early design stage and work is not expected to start before 2040.

Relocation of Brno hlavni nádraží

Despite considerable opposition to the closure of Brno hlavni nádraží and the main line running through it, the City of Brno and the Region of South Moravia have decided to site the new main station in the Trnitá urban redevelopment area by the Svratka River. This will be on the site of Brno dolni nádraží on the freight line between odb. Černovice and Horní Heršpice. The new station will have 14 platforms and a regional bus station. In 2023 the cost was estimated at €1·8bn with completion 2032-35.
The decision is clearly driven by a wish to redevelop the land released by the closure of Brno hl n. As at June 2018 the Central Committee of the Ministry of Transport was considering the four suggested alternatives for an underground transport connection from the new station. This new transit connection, which some people are calling “Brno’s subway”, is to connect the north of the city with the centre and the south but this is not yet funded.

Construction work at the new Brno hl.n. site is unlikely to start before 2028, however there will be a number of preparatory projects on the approaches to the new station. Work will start in 2024 to rebuild Brno Židenice station and to quadruple the line between there and odb. Černovice.

Other projects under way or planned

097: In February 2020 the CZ Ministry of Transport approved plans for re-construction of the flood-damaged section between Chotiměř and Radejčín. Several different detailed schemes have been proposed for rebuilding this section but the latest estimate is that it will not reopen before 2026.

132 Děčín hl.n.- Oldřichov u Duchcova: Dependent on Správa železnic, re-opening of the Děčín hl.n. - Telnice section as Line 139 for summer-only weekend services by KZC doprava from 02 April 2022. (See). The line was closed to passengers in December 2007, Telnice - Oldřichov u Duchcova was closed completely in 2011 and the track is now in very poor condition with rails stolen from some locations. Seasonal trains operated irregularly over the Děčín hl.n. – Telnice section from 2013 until 26 October 2015, after which the whole line was taken out of use due to the poor state of the track. See.

202 Tábor - Bechyně: Conversion of the electrification to 25kV AC from 1500V DC (originally 700V DC) was approved on 31 January 2020, for implementation in 2023-24. However disagreements between SŽ and the Government led to the scheme being deferred in 2023 and there is currently no estimate for when the work might start.

180 Doubling and electrification of this route from Plzeň to Furth im Wald is planned. Work on the first section, from Plzeň hl.n - Vejprnice involving re-alignment of the Route 170 flyover at Plzeň-Skvrňany commenced on 01 March 2018, this double track section opening on 30 June 2019. Between Plzen and Zbuch a new 200km/h line will be built, the old line through Nýřany being retained and electrified, while between Stod and Holýšov and Blizejov and Domažlice new lines will be built and the old alignments abandoned. See.

Significant realignment work has been a theme in recent years with completion of a higher speed allowing curve immediately to the east of Usti nad Orlici on the Praha - České Trebova main line and a new 2km section south of Veseli nad Lužnici on the Praha - České-Budějovice line. In the future there is a proposal to upgrade between Česká Lípa and Mimon on the line to Liberec by 2022 which would involve around 2km of line straightening plus the relocation of Zákupy station.

070 Proposals announced in August 2018 to build a new electrified double track beside the D10 motorway line around the east of Mladá Boleslav from JR071 at Bezděčín to allow freight trains from Nymburk to reach the Skoda auto plant at Mladá Boleslav město without going through Mladá Boleslav hl.n. Construction could begin in 2019-2020. A new station, Mladá Boleslav východ, is proposed on the link which would form part of a future Praha - Mladá Boleslav passenger route if the Všejanská spojka (Lysá nad Labem - Milovice - Čachovice) projected line is built in the future. Mladá Boleslav hl.n is proposed to be completely rebuilt under the proposals. A direct curve from Mladá Boleslav město to line JR070 to avoid reversal at Mladá Boleslav hl.n is also planned. See.

232 Work started in November 2022 on upgrading the section of line between Mstětice and Čelákovice, including a new alignment of approximately 1km east of Mstětice and one of just under 2km south of Čelákovice which will enable the line speed to be increased. See.

Praha Metro Line B is to be extended from Zličin to Zličin metro depot. Construction work is now expected to start in 2026. See.

Closure of the eastern section of the metre gauge Liberec tramway interurban branch to Jablonec nad Nisou, between Liberec and Vratislavice from 18 July 2021 up to 19 November 2021, for conversion to standard gauge [1435 mm]. The remaining metre gauge section; from Vratislavice to the terminus at Jablonec nad Nisou also closed on 18 July 2021, for conversion to standard gauge, but this is expected to reopen during 2024. During the closure, metre gauge tramcars are being converted to standard gauge.

Recent changes

Changes with the timetable commencing 10 December 2023

Changes with the timetable commencing 11 December 2022

(Re)openings
  • 089 (DB KBS 236) Varnsdorf Pivovar Kocour – Seifhennersdorf (DE) reopened on 11 June 2023 after 8 years of 'temporary closure', operated by 'Trilex'.
  • The interurban tramway between Most and Litvínov reopened on 1 May 2023 after some 2 years of closure for modernisation and rebuilding.
  • 304 Kojetín – Tovačov reopened on 1 July 2023 for a summer Saturday service running until 2 September, operated by Railway Capital, a.s.
Temporary Reopening
  • 240: Following damage to the viaduct over the Svratka river south of Brno hl.n. in December 2022, most weekday S4 services were diverted from 9 January 2023 to instead use Brno dolní nádraží thereby reopening this station with a regular service. This continued until the year-end timetable change in December 2023.
Closures
  • 062 Městec Králové - Křinec
  • 262 Boskovice – Velké Opatovice from 10 June 2023
Temporary Closures
  • 093: Kladno - Brandýsek closed on 01 July 2023 for an expected period of 13 months for electrification work between Kladno and Kladno-Ostrovec
  • 255 Hodonín - Kobylí na Moravě weekday services permanently withdrawn from from 12 June 2023, but weekend services also withdrawn due to engineering work from the same date until December 2023
  • 120: The line between Praha Bubny and Praha Dejvice closed temporarily from 12 March 2023 for upgrade work associated with the Kladno line / airport branch project.

Changes with the timetable commencing 12 December 2021

(Re)openings
  • A 1.2 km extension of Olomouc tramway lines 3 & 5, from Trnkova to U Kaplicky, opened on 1 November 2022.
  • 132: Dĕčin to Telnice reopened to summer weekend traffic on 02 April 2022, operated by KŽC.
  • 222: Vlašim – Trhový Štěpánov reopened to summer weekend traffic on 4 June 2022, operated by Railway Capital a.s.
  • 220: [Part] Votice – Sudoměřice u Tábora new line opened 30 June 2022.
  • 232: A new double-track bridge over the River Elbe north of Čelákovice was opened on 12 December 2021, having been built alongside the original structure.
Closures
  • 094: Vraňany - Lužec nad Vltavou
  • 204: Březnice – Rožmitál pod Třemšínem
  • 222: Vlašim – Trhový Štěpánov, but note summer weekend reopening, above.
  • 220: [Part] Votice – Sudoměřice u Tábora closed from 02 April 2022 for replacement by new line
  • 228: Jindřichův Hradec – Obrataň and
  • 229: Jindřichův Hradec – Nová Bystřice. These two narrow gauge lines suspended and replaced by bus services from 3 October 2022 as a result of the expiry of the operating licence of the owning company, JHMD. They hope to resume service at some point, and are apparently using the suspension to refurbish track and rolling stock.

Changes with the timetable commencing 13 December 2020

(Re)openings
  • 221: [Part] New line Praha-Vršovice - Praha-Hostivař via Praha-Eden opened.
  • 001/011 Praha-Vršovice – Praha-Malešice – Praha-Běchovice: Passenger services (one pair) re-introduced over this freight line.
Closures
  • 017 (Part) Chornice – Velké Opatovice
  • 221: (Part) Praha-Vršovice - Praha-Hostivař via Praha-Strašnice zastávka closed to all traffic, replaced by new route through former freight yard.

Passenger service withdrawals:

  • 012 (part, formerly 013) : Bošice - Bečváry with effect from 01 June 2021.
  • 063: Bakov nad Jizerou – Dolní Bousov, with effect from 01 November 2021.
  • 095: Straškov – Zlonice with effect from 01 November 2021.
  • 193: Netolice - Dívčice (- Číčenice) and Číčenice - Týn nad Vltavou, with effect from 25 June 2021 after carrier KPT ceased rail operations
  • 233: Čelákovice - Mochov with effect from 30 October 2021.

Changes with the timetable commencing 15 December 2019

240/244/250/260/300/340 Major reconstruction of Brno hlavni nádraží station, along with the signalling and control systems and bridge and track renewal, took place over the 2018/19 timetable period, resulting in closure of the station as a through route, with consequent alteration to all services. Services have reverted to normal routes through Brno hl.n.and all connecting routes with re-opening on 15 December 2019.

Brno as at July 2017


(Re)openings
  • 094 Vraňany - Lužec nad Vltavou: Line re-opened 01 July 2020 to a new fully accessible platform some 100m short of the former station, after installation of canal lift bridge. See.
  • 097 (Part) - Litoměřice horní nádraží – Chotiměř on 06 June 2020 with SSuO services until 27 September 2020 operated by AŽD Praha.
  • 120 - Praha-Bubny - Praha-Masarykovo (excl.) and the Praha Masarykovo avoiding curve: on 1 June 2020, following reopening of the "Negrelli" viaduct, closed since 4 July 2017.
  • 113/U10 [Former T4] Čížkovice - Obrnice; a full public rail service now operates from Litoměřice horní nádraží – Most run by AZD Praha.
  • 251 Hrušovany u Brna - Židlochovice. This included electrification.
  • A 1.4 km extension of Plzeň Tram line 4 to Borský Park in the Borská Pole industrial zone.
Closures
  • 001/011 Praha-Vršovice – Praha-Malešice – Praha-Běchovice: Passenger services over this freight line ceased with the new timetable.
  • 015 (Part)Heřmanův Městec - Prachovice service withdrawn 27 September 2020.
  • 090 Ústí nad Labem Jih. – Ústí nad Labem západ (Ústí nad Labem avoiding line). No service due to withdrawal of 1522 SX Lovosice to Ústí nad Labem západ train
  • 094 Vraňany - Lužec nad Vltavou: Temporary closure until 01 July 2020 for replacement of the bridge over the Vraňansko-hořínský Canal with a lifting bridge.
  • 164 (Part) Hradec u Kadanĕ - Poláky: The one March-to-October weekend-only train pair which extends past Kadaň on this branch from Kadaň-Prunéřov will be truncated by 5km and only run to the former request stop of Hradec u Kadanĕ in 2020. It last ran to Poláky in October 2019. However, it should be noted that summer Weekend services operated by Railway Capital continue over the whole line.

Older Changes

For details of older changes dating back to the year 2001 see Czech Republic - Older General Information.

Special Notes

At busy junctions in country areas it can sometimes be difficult to ascertain which is which train. Most units have a digital display on each side of the train but some older units only have a paper notice or laminated card in the door window. If there is any doubt, the departure indicator in the station should give the track number; these are numbered outwards from the station building starting at 1. Track numbers are often not given until shortly before departure to prevent people walking across the tracks when there may be train movements. Platform numbers can also be found by using the ČD app ("Můj Vlak").

At certain branch line termini or reversal points when the stock used is a railcar and trailer coach, the railcar will run round its trailer. By remaining on the railcar during this manoeuvre, a considerable extra distance beyond the terminal station platforms may be covered.

At the following locations trains on the indicated route make a reversal manoeuvre away from the main station area:

  • 041: Turnov (twice)
  • 074: Neratovice
  • 076: Mladá Boleslav
  • 144: Chodov (twice)
  • former 164: Kaštice ("Doupovská dráha" services from Kadaň and Krásný Dvůr)
  • 235: Kutná Hora hlavní n.

See also