ČD Class 680
| Company type | Electric multiple unit |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Predecessor | Fiat Ferroviaria ETR 470 |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Headquarters | Czech Republic |
Area served | Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria |
| Products | Tilting electric multiple units (Pendolino) |
ČD Class 680 electric multiple units (EMUs) operate within the Czech Republic and incorporate tilting Pendolino technology for the SuperCity service. Manufactured by Alstom (previously Fiat Ferroviaria), these trains are primarily derived from the nine-car ETR 470. On November 18, 2004, during trials between Břeclav and Brno, the Pendolino achieved a new Czech rail speed record of . These EMUs run on , , and 3,000 V DC overhead power systems.
History
The Czech Republic's first procurement of tilting trains was made with Fiat Ferroviaria in 2000. After Alstom acquired Fiat Ferroviaria, the order transitioned to Pendolino units. The inaugural set arrived in 2004, designated as Pendolino ČD 680.
Testing revealed difficulties in integrating the trains with the Czech signaling infrastructure, which were later resolved. Commercial operations started in December 2005 on the route between Prague and Ostrava. By January 2006, all five active sets encountered software and operational challenges, including issues with air conditioning and tilt mechanism control. The ATLAS control system, intended to comply with ERTMS, faced complications managing multiple distinct software modules. Comparable problems were experienced by Finland’s VR Class Sm3. All malfunctions have since been rectified.
Formation
The seven-car Pendolino consists of:
| Class Nº | Type | Class |
|---|---|---|
| 681 | Driving Motor | 2nd |
| 081 | Trailer | 1st |
| 683 | Motor | Buffet 2nd |
| 084 | Trailer | 2nd |
| 684 | Motor | 2nd |
| 082 | Trailer | 2nd |
| 682 | Driving Motor | 2nd |
Each carriage carries an individual number, with driving motor cars displaying identification on their front ends.
Operations
Pendolino units mainly serve ČD’s SuperCity trains, which represent the operator’s fastest services.
Since December 2006, these Pendolinos have been authorized to run in Slovakia and Austria.
From 2009 to 2011, a pair of ČD 680 sets operated as SuperCity Slovenská strela between Prague and Bratislava; however, this service was discontinued due to insufficient passenger demand and higher operational costs without speed benefits.
As of 2020, ČD runs nine daily round trips on the SuperCity Pendolino route connecting Prague–Pardubice–Olomouc–Ostrava, with some extending to Bohumín and one continuing to Košice in Slovakia under the name SuperCity Pendolino Košičan. Additionally, twice daily services extend as InterCity trains from Prague to Františkovy Lázně via Plzeň.
Accidents
- December 1, 2007: A Pendolino derailed in Prague without causing injuries; the train suffered significant damage.
- July 22, 2015: Train SC 512 collided with a truck at a Studénka level crossing, resulting in three fatalities among passengers and seventeen injuries. Unit 680 003 was extensively damaged; repairs exceeding 200 million CZK were finalized by September 2018.
- June 27, 2022: Near Bohumín station, a head-on collision involved a Pendolino and a ČD Class 742 locomotive. The Pendolino driver was intoxicated and disregarded a stop signal; he died in the accident along with five others injured. Initially considered beyond repair, unit 680 006 was partially salvaged—two carriages were scrapped while the remainder were refurbished with ETCS equipment for use as spare units during maintenance periods.
- March 1, 2023: A Pendolino derailed near Žilina caused by a failure of a railway switch; no injuries occurred.
In popular culture
- A ČD Class 680 trainset was showcased in the 2006 James Bond movie Casino Royale, where it was portrayed as traveling between Switzerland and Montenegro, despite not serving this route in real life.
- This train also appeared with genuine Czech Railways livery in the 2008 motion picture Wanted.