Wrocław 2024-01-07

EZT PESA ED74 Edyta.

In May 2023, the modernization process of 14 ED74 electric multiple units, or popular “Edyta” EZTs, was completed at the PESA Mińsk Mazowiecki plant. The trains were included in the network of connections in the amount of 7 trains. The original ED74 is a 4-car train, which is why they were connected in pairs. The trains run on routes with a travel time of less than 4 hours, because there is no bar in the train. It is also impossible to walk through the entire train while driving. In May 2023, the last vehicle of this type, which was part of a contract worth PLN 274.8 million gross, joined the PKP Intercity rolling stock park. This is another example of successful cooperation between the national carrier and the Polish manufacturer of rolling stock.

In June 2019, PKP InterCity signed a contract for the modernization of 14 ED74 electric multiple units with PESA Mińsk Mazowiecki. The first EZTs began carrying passengers in the second half of 2021. During modernization, the vehicles underwent significant changes that raised the standard of the trains to best meet the needs and expectations of passengers.

History EZT PESA ED74.

The ED74 vehicles were manufactured by the Polish company PESA Bydgoszcz in the period 2007-2008. They were designed according to the specification provided by the then company PKP Przewozy Regionalne, especially for the Warsaw-Łódź route. Axle arrangement Bo’2’2’2’Bo’. Wagon arrangement s+d+d+s. Service weight 158,900 kg. Length 80.33 m. Width 2.87 m. Height 4.36 m. Wheel diameter 0.84 m. Engine type TMF59-39-4 with a power of 4 x 500 kW. Power supply 3 kV DC. Operating speed 160 km/h. Brakes Knorr + ED. Height of the entrance threshold 1.00 m from the rail head. Number of seats 194+8. Class 2 seats – 179 units, and Class 1 seats – 21 units. Even before the modernization, the number of seats and their arrangement were changed. Bicycle racks were also eliminated.

PESA Bydgostia (type 16WEk marked with the ED74 series, type of units 310Bak, 411Bak, 411Bbk and 310Bbk). 14 EZT ED74 units were built. The train is a development version of the EZT PESA Acatus. The doors have been adapted to serve platforms with a height of 0.30 m to 1.00 m. Additionally, a retractable step was used.

The first and last bogies are type 22MNK driving bogies, with a wheelbase of 2.50 m. The bogies between the cars are in the Jakobs system and are type 37ANK rolling bogies, with a wheelbase of 2.50 m. The EZT was built with multiple control and allows three EZTs to be connected together. During the tests, it turned out that the EZTs draw a lot of current due to their powerful engines, which is why two EZTs can be effectively connected. Toilets in a closed system were installed in the driving cars. In the last car “d”, space was created for passengers in wheelchairs. Here, elevators for the disabled were installed. All cars are equipped with air conditioning, railway information displays, audio systems and monitoring. In 2009, an additional seat for the driver’s assistant was installed in the driver’s cabins of the EZT trains, which allowed for exceeding the speed of 130 km/h.

In 2009, all EZT ED74 were delivered to PKP InterCity. From the beginning of 2014, the first EZT ED74 started undergoing Level P4 repairs, which were combined with repainting in PKP Intercity colors. Previously, the EZTs had the colors of Przewozy Regionalne; red and black. And the EZT units began to be put away on the side tracks. In February 2015, only 5 trains out of 14 EZTs were operational. All the rest were awaiting periodic or current repairs. In 2015, some of the units were owned by PolRegio, and some by InterCity. Koleje Małopolskie was interested in buying all 14 EZT ED74 trains and started negotiations with PKP Intercity. PolRegio, on the other hand, submitted an offer to lease all the vehicles with the possibility of their later purchase. Nothing came of the negotiations.

In the period 2014-2016, the trains were withdrawn from service. They were put on side tracks in Warsaw and Krakow. The cars were falling into disrepair and were the target of vandals. Already in 2016, it was decided that these units could not be left and that they should be restored to service. Since the EZT ED74 did not meet the requirements of the InterCity company, they had to be modernized. This entailed additional costs, but necessary ones. The technical dialogue process began. After this stage, PESA Bydgoszcz and ZNTK Mińsk Mazowiecki (currently PESA Mińsk Mazowiecki) submitted offers. The contract was awarded to ZNTK Mińsk Mazowiecki, and the agreement was signed in June 2019.

Modernization of the EZT ED74.

In June 2019, a deep modernization of the EZT ED74 units began. Everything was removed from the interior of the cars and only the shells were left. One pair of door openings was eliminated in the sides. The light from the windows was reduced. The interior design was changed by installing new partition walls. The interior design was completely changed. The LED light line and additional lighting points for passengers after dark were changed. Inverters and converters were replaced in the control system, which improved the parameters of the traction motors. The layout of the dashboard and the equipment of the driver’s cabin were also changed. The seats were replaced and their layout was changed. The car bodies and train heads were equipped with modern insulating materials. The level of soundproofing and thermal comfort was increased. The control system was improved, the acceleration value and the level of reliability were increased. In the modernized trains, passengers benefit from air conditioning, comfortable seats and Wi-Fi. Each seat has access to an electrical socket. In addition, mobile signal amplifiers were installed in each train, and the vehicles are also adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. Additionally, each EZT has a place designated for transporting bicycles. The modernized vehicles have been better soundproofed, which has a positive effect on travel comfort.

The first modernized ED74 unit was ready in March 2021. On December 12, 2021, the first two trains served their first run on the Wrocław–Przemyśl route. By the end of 2022, 12 modernized EZT ED74s were delivered. In spring 2023, the modernization of the last two EZTs was completed, of which the last unit ED74-014 left the plant in Mińsk Mazowiecki on May 31, 2023.

As is the case in Polish reality, when the media is in the hands of Germans, communists and freemasons, words of criticism rained down. “Too few toilets, no compartments, cramped seats.” Not a single compliment. InterCity invested PLN 7 billion in modern rolling stock. By 2030, the planned outlays were to reach PLN 24.5 billion. Currently (2024), under the rule of the Volksdeutsche, communists and freemasons, it is unlikely that further programmes will be implemented.

Initially, the trains were directed to routes with a travel time of up to 2 hours. Then the time was increased to 4 hours. It was not possible to increase the travel time because the train does not have a bar car.

After three years of operation of the EZT ED74, the PESA Mińsk Mazowiecki company is satisfied with the modernisation carried out. The trains have already outgrown their infancy and are low-failure. There is a large availability of these trains. Passengers have a good opinion of them. The power of the EZT allows for a quick acceleration of the train. They work well on routes such as Kraków – Lublin. The EZT ED74 currently run on the routes Wrocław – Katowice, Częstochowa – Kielce – Radom – Lublin, Lublin – Kielce – Katowice and Lublin – Kielce – Kraków.

Written by Karol Placha Hetman