InnoTrans 2022 (39)

The Poznań-based manufacturer H. Cegielski - Fabryka Pojazdów Szynowych (FPS, i. e. Factory for Railway Vehicles) presented a Type 177A-10 second-class compartment coach for PKP Intercity, which is designated Class B⁹mnopuz.

The car forms part of the contract signed by both parties in February 2018 for 55 air-conditioned cars with a maximum speed of 200 km/h, intended for operation on domestic and international routes, with a delivery 48 months after the contract signing. The contract also included an option clause for a further 26 cars, which was completely confirmed in May 2019. In total the contract is worth 697.3 million PLN (around 162 million EUR), making it one of the largest purchases in the modern history of PKP IC. The contract also includes maintenance of the third stage, carried out by the manufacturer after two years in service. The contract consists of:

• 27 second class open saloon cars of Type 175A-10, designated B⁹mnopuz, with EVNs 61 51 29-91 001 - 027. Deliveries took place in 2021 and early 2022.
• 10 second class open saloon cars of Type 175A-20 with space for eight bicycles, designated B⁹mnopuvz, with EVNs 61 51 29-91 028 - 037. Like at the previous batch, deliveries took place in 2021 and early 2022.
• 27 second class compartment cars of Type 176A- 10, designated B¹¹mnouz, with EVNs 61 51 21-91 001 - 027, which were delivered until summer of 2022.
• 10 second class compartment cars of Type 177A- 10 with wheelchair accessibility. They are designated Class B⁹bmnouz and have EVNs 61 51 29-91 038 - 047. Their deliveries took place in the last two months of 2022.
• 7 First class compartment cars of Type 178A-10, designated A⁹mnouz, with EVNs 61 51 19-91 000 - 006. These cars were delivered to PKP IC during 2022.

The Type 177A-10 car on Berlin’s display was 29-91 039. It has eight standard compartments with six seats each and a more spacious compartment at one end of the car with four folding seats and space for up to four wheelchairs. In total, the car provides 48 seats (not including folding seats). A wider aisle leads to the wheelchair accessible compartment (hence only 2 + 2 folding seats), and there is also a spacious wheelchair accessible toilet between the entrance area and this compartment.

The 26,400 mm-long coaches are equipped with FPS' own Type 25ANa6 bogie designed for a maximum speed of 200 km/h. The wheelsets are guided by swinging arms, primary and secondary suspension utilises steel springs. The bogie wheelbase is 2,500 mm and the diameter of the new wheels is 920 mm. The air brake is manufactured by Knorr-Bremse. The ends of all coaches are fitted with pressure-proof UIC-561 compatible gangways from Hübner. A diagnostic system with remote data management is also installed. There are power sockets and USB-A charging ports at all seats. Individual seat lighting is also installed. The cars have WiFi signal coverage and mobile signal amplifiers.

The cars from the contract in mention were put into service for the first time at the beginning of 2022. Since the half of last year, when the operator had 60 cars at its disposal, they have been put into service on:

• EIC "Tatry" Warszawa - Kraków -Zakopane,
• EIC "Jantar" Warszawa - Gdynia - Hel,
• EIC "Posejdon" Warszawa - Gdynia - Kolobrzeg,
• EIC "Fregata" Katowice - Warsaw - Gdynia - Kołobrzeg,
• IC "Wysocki" Warsaw - Katowice,
• IC "Słowiniec" Warsaw - Gdynia,
• IC "Śnieżka" Warsaw - Wrocław - Szklarska Poręba/Kudowa-Zdrój.

The delivery of the entire contract was completed at the end of December 2022. The ten-month delay compared to the contractual deadline (February 2022) was justified by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, i. e. sick leaves and quarantines.

In April 2022, PKP Intercity signed a new contract with FPS for the repair of the fifth stage together with the modernisation of 90 Type 111A and 141A cars and their subsequent maintenance of the third stage later in the service. The value of the entire contract is almost 495 million PLN (around 107 million EUR). As part of the ongoing investments in the fleet, PKP IC has already concluded contracts with FPS with a total value of more than 1.75 billion PLN (around 372 EUR million).