[PL / Expert] Another crash: PKP Intercity EU44 fleet update

PKP Intercity is a Polish passenger operator that started its first trains in 2001. At that time,  in cooperation with DB Reise & Touristik, the company also operated three international trains from Warsaw to Berlin via Poznan. In 2003 the international trains from Warsaw to Wien were added. One year later, the first EuroNight train named “Jan Kiepura”, from Warsaw to Brussel was the next new one.

Buying new multi-system locomotives

In 2008 PKP Intercity decided to buy first multi-system locomotives to use it with international trains, which in yearly timetable was more and more. A tender for delivery first ten vehicles won Siemens, with ES64U4.

The first „Eurosprinter” was delivered to Poland in November 2008. The last locomotive has been forwarded in June 2010. Vehicles have been directed to use with international train, main from Warsaw to Berlin / Prague and from June 2012 from Gdynia to Berlin

Vehicles significantly improved the comfort of traveling from Poland to Germany. Problematic changes while crossing the Polish-German border were stopped.

Problems with EU44

EU44s have been involved in crashed and other accidents continuously, but the situation became critical at the turn of 2018 and 2019.

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