First Czech Turnouts For 160 km/h To The Diverging Path

Between 20 and 23 April 2020, two turnouts are being installed at Prosenice station (near Přerov), which enable trains to run at a speed of 160 km/h to the diverging path. This capability will be used when trains enter/leave the so-called Dluhonická spojka (a Dluhonice jonction), which links the Czech First and Second railway corridors, ie. the Praha - Přerov and Bohumín - Přerov - Břeclav main lines. The maximum speed on these main lines is 160 km/h.

The new high speed turnouts are produced by DT - Výhybkárna a strojírna of Prostějov and enable a maximum speed of 350 km/h to the straight path. It is at first time when such turnouts are used on the Správa železnic (until 31 December 2019 SŽDC) network. 

The work at Prosenice is performed by Swietelsky Rail CZ of České Budějovice, which also uses special machines of its parent company Swietelsky AG, together with an Austrian crew. Swietelsky obtained an exemption from the Czech Ministry of the Interior for this working stay of Austrian employees during the COVID-19 crisis.