The first Class 242 electric for ČD Cargo

The Czech network will start to see Class 242 locomotives in a previously unusual blue paint. On 21 - 22 July 2023, the first of these 25 kV 50 Hz locomotives, 242.234, purchased from ČD by ČD Cargo was transported from Přerov to České Budějovice after the completion of repairs at ČMŽO. 

On the basis of a purchase agreement concluded in December 2022, ČD Cargo bought nine of the 242s (201, 209, 212, 221, 234, 239, 241, 244 and 269) and also two Class 163 machines. However, this was only the beginning of a gradual sale of a significantly larger number of locomotives from ČD to ČD Cargo, which is related to their unnecessary after the delivery of new RegioPanters and Moravia EMUs, as was most recently the case in the South Moravian Region (Jihomoravský kraj).

In the case of the Class 242, at least 18 more locomotives should follow later this year, for a total of 30 to 35. After the buyout, they are brought in to carry out repairs of various stages as required. There are also plans to retrofit the on-board ETCS Level 2 Baseline 3 (minimum version 3.6.0), the tender for the installations is currently underway and was announced in May 2023.