1301iExtra36

March 2018 - BLNI Extra 36 Czech Railways
[D5] Czech Republic - Chrást u Plzně to Plzeň Doubravka to close
Construction of two single-track tunnels at Ejpovice, each 4,150 metres long, began in early 2015
and they are on course for opening in December 2018. They form the major part of a very long cut-
off which will shorten the line and speed up trains between Praha and Plzeň. Current plans are to
close the existing railway between Chrást u Plzně and Plzeň Doubravka, with conversion to a cycle
path under negotiation. Freight operators are bemoaning the loss of operational flexibility, but it
seems to no avail. The Radnice to Chrást u Plzně branch service will be extended to Ejpovice to
connect into trains there.

Courtesy of Europeanrailwayatlas.com

[D6] Czech Republic – Green light to tunnel option between Sevetin and Nemanice
When the 4km tunnel at Ejpovice opens at the end of the year it will be the longest in the Czech
Republic – but only for a few years. The government has given the green light to the tunnel option
which straightens out the south end of the Praha to České Budějovice line on the 20km section
between Ševĕtin and Nemanice by construction of two double track tunnels, the Chotýčanský at
4,775 metres and the Hosínský at 3,120 metres. Nemanice does not appear in the Ball atlas, but is at
the triangle north of České Budějovice where the avoiding line is located.

[D7] Czech Republic – Doubletracking of Plzeň to Nepomuk
The 30km section between Plzeň and Nepomuk on the important Plzeň to České Budějovice railway
line has received approval for double tracking. The project will take 4-5 years to complete, with the
section within the Plzeň urban area being the most difficult.
As part of the same scheme a short section of track from Písek main station up line 201 (the Tábor
line), will be electrified to a new station on the southern outskirts of Písek, much closer to the
centre of the city. This will probably be called Písek Jih (Písek south).

[D8] Czech Republic – Branch to be electrified
The short 2km branch on JR134 from Louka u Litvínova to Litvínov is to be electrified to permit
through electric services from Ústí nad Labem. http://zdopravy.cz/miliardova-elektrifikace-litvinova-
zacne-jeste-letos-8141/

[] Czech Republic – Mošnov, Ostrava Airport branch
A modern two car CD EMU provided this service. The train was fairly busy leaving Ostrava hl n but
most passengers left at Ostrava Svinov and Studénka so, by the time it reached the very smart two
platform airport station with its overall roof, there were only two other passengers and both of
them looked like locals. This 3 km long branch off the Studénka to Veřovice line opened in 2015 and
made Ostrava the first rail served airport in the country. Clearly the service has not been a success
as it only runs every two hours. The airport itself seemed deserted and the return journey was no
busier, so your reporter was very glad that he did it. The photo shows the unit on arrival at the
airport.

EMU on arrival at the Airport