České dráhy (Czech Railways) has begun trial operations with its new Siemens Vectron locomotives, capable of reaching speeds of 230 km/h.
The first locomotive entered service on 24 September, leading train R 885 Slovácký Express, which departed Prague’s main station at 07:01. A total of eight Vectrons will rotate through trial operations in the initial phase.
Trial service on the R18 line
During testing, the locomotives will operate on the R18 route between Prague and Staré Město near Uherské Hradiště. Each locomotive is expected to cover nearly 1,000 kilometres per day.
Michal Krapinec, Chairman of the Board and CEO of České dráhy, said:
“We are starting the first phase of operations with our newest locomotives. Trial service will run on the R18 line between Prague and Staré Město, with each locomotive covering almost 1,000 kilometres daily. From the new timetable in mid-December, once all approvals and certifications are in place, the new Vectrons will begin operating on services to Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary.”
Later this autumn, the Vectrons will also undergo testing in Austria, including on the new Koralmbahn line, where they will be able to demonstrate their maximum speed of 230 km/h.
Expansion of the ČD Siemens Vectron fleet
Currently, eight high-speed Siemens Vectron locomotives are based in the Czech Republic. By the end of 2025, a further 20 units will be delivered, with production ramping up to four locomotives per month from January 2026 at Siemens’ Munich-Allach plant.
České dráhy signed a contract with Siemens Mobility in 2022 for the supply of 50 multi-system Vectron MS locomotives. The agreement also includes a 15-year service package, ensuring comprehensive maintenance support.
The Siemens Vectron has become one of Europe’s most widely adopted electric locomotives. As of July 2025, more than 2,290 units had been ordered worldwide.
With the addition of the Vectrons, České dráhy will strengthen its international services and fleet modernisation, supporting faster and more efficient rail connections across Central Europe.
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