InnoTrans 2024 report (15)

At the other end of the ComfortJet rake was locomotive 193 489, which was built this year and is another Siemens‘s test Vectron for 230 km/h. It is the fourth such locomotive after 193 400 (built in 2022) presented at the last InnoTrans and 193 780 and 483, which were adapted for 230 km/h by reconstruction from the original 200 km/h version.

Production of the new Class 384 for ČD will start next year and this is the first order for Vectrons with a top speed of 230 km/h - a total of 50 locomotives were ordered by ČD on 31 March 2022. Deliveries are due to start in 2025, when approval for this new type should be achieved. Twenty Class 384 locomotives should be delivered by December 2025. Currently, the tests for 230 km/h have been completed and now the legislative matters are being handled and are envisaged to be finished by the end of 2025.

The locomotives 384.001 - 020 will be destined to haul the ComfortJet NMUs. The remaining 30 Vectrons are to be delivered from early 2026 at a rate of around four per month, so ČD should have them all available in the same year.

The Class BRmpz restaurant for ComfortJet is due to be approved in 2025, like the Class Afmpz driving trailer, both for 230 km/h in a pull mode. Until 2027 the approval of the ComfortJet for the push mode is expected to be achieved (for now, the ComfortJets are only approved for 200 km/h and for the pull mode only).