The annual Czech Raildays railway technology fair was held on 13–15 June this year in Ostrava. As in past years, ČMKS holding, a.s. was present at this, the largest Czech showcase of railway transport. On a joint stand, HOLDING ČMKS and Phoenix-Zeppelin s.r.o. physically presented the upgraded 774.7 class locomotive to the public for the first time. Our stand was visited by numerous prominent guests, including Czech Prime Minister Jiří Paroubek, the Mayor of Ostrava Aleš Zedník and, on behalf of Czech Railways, which is one of the main organizers of Czech Raildays, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors Josef Bazala.

The 774.7 is an upgrade of the six-axle 770 class locomotive (T 669.0 type – generally known as the ČME-3) with a low-hood design and a 1455 kW Caterpillar 3512 B DI-TA engine with an electrodynamic brake. The 120-ton locomotive has a maximum service speed of 90 km/h.

This year’s Czech Raildays, the sixth in all, took place in the “Komerční obvod” freight yard at Ostravamain railway station. The event was accompanied by two well-attended seminars – “Modern rail vehicles in relation to infrastructure” and “Open railways in the mirror of European legislation”.