Znojmo, November 12, 2009 – for the first time in history, a train towed by an electric locomotive came from Vienna to Znojmo. The arrival of this ceremonial train ended the project of “Šatov – Znojmo Route Electrification”. However, this official train was not designed for the public; ordinary passengers could take this Austrian electric train set for the first time on December 5, 2009, when Austrian Railways organized the opening for the general public.
This electrified and reconstructed route allows the direct connection between ‘Vienna’ and ‘Znojmo’ including higher traveling speeds. The ‘Znojmo’ railway station was newly equipped, inter alia, with modern passenger platforms and information system; the project also included technically demanding reconstruction of the Znojmo viaduct across the ‘Dyje’ River.
The employer is SŽDC, s.o. Ing. Jan Komárek, Chief Executive Officer of this company said: “Completion of this project has enormous significance not only for development of regional railway transportation, but also for advancement of European railway network integrity. The electrified section is a follow-up of the formerly reconstructed route leading from the state boundary between Austria and Czechia to ‘Šatov’. In this way, the direct connection between Znojmo and Vienna, the Austrian capital, was established, requiring no swap of locomotives. In addition to reduction of ecological load or environmental stress, and in addition to improvement of railway operation safety, newly created conditions allow to reduce substantially traveling times.”
Thanks to the electrification carried out by ‘Elektrizace železnic Praha a.s.’ and due to the total reconstruction, the traveling speed increased up to 90 km/h. This electrified route is equipped with the ÖBB 15 kV, 16⅔ Hz, AC, traction system, as it is mentioned in the article titled “EŽ Kysak”. The most noticeable change, in addition to the electric traction implementation, was the total reconstruction of the Znojmo railway station and construction of the new railway bridge across the Dyje River resting on original bridge piers. The new load-bearing structure is built as a latticework having a total length of 220 m and spans the stream at a height of approximately 50 m above the river level. To accentuate its imposing architecture, this Znojmo viaduct is floodlit after dark, and so it creates a unique breathtaking evening and night panorama.
The total investment costs for the completed project are amounting CZK 1,231 billion. It was financed via the State Traffic Infrastructure Fund. It is proposed that the European Union should co-finance the Šatov – Znojmo Route Electrification project via its Transport Operation Program.
