Today at 12:30 pm the first three IMPULS Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) out of 16 ordered in 2016 by the Marshal Office of Zachodniopomorskie Province were officially handed over at the Main Train Station in Szczecin. This special occasion was attended by Olgierd Geblewicz, Marshal of Zachodniopomorskie Province, Jadwiga Rajkiewicz – Head of the Infrastructure and Transportation Department of the Marshal’s Office Marshal of Zachodniopomorskie Province, Artur Kowalczyk – Vice President of Przewozy Regionalne, Andrzej Chańko, Director of Zachodniopomorskie Branch of Przewozy Regionalne and Zbigniew Konieczek – President of NEWAG S.A.
The contract signed in September 2016 guarantees the delivery of twelve three-car EMUs and five four-car EMUs. Moreover, Newag must also deliver a simulator to train a team of train drivers how to operate the new electric multiple units. Under the tender, the Contracting Authority may increase its order by thirteen additional trains.
One of the three 36WEa trains which bear the consecutive numbers 031 – 033 is exceptional – it is golden. The remaining trains will be painted in the standard colours compliant with the colours used in the previous order for the new rolling stock. There are already 13 IMPULS trains delivered in December of 2015 operating on railway tracks of the Province.
The golden IMPULS 36WEa – 031 EMU as the first train in Poland was granted the ECTS level 2 license by Urząd Transportu Kolejowego– UTK [Office of Rail Transport]. ECTS constitutes a part of the ERTMS system being implemented in the European Union whose aim is to ensure interoperability of rail transport which means seamless movement of trains on railway networks of particular countries without a need for stopping on borders and exchanging locos or train drivers.
After June 3, the Golden Train will operate on routes along West Pomerania, in particular, it will travel to destinations located at the seaside. It will not be specially marked on train schedules; however, the Marshal’s Office will give clues to passengers concerning the routes and times where the Golden Train will be easy to spot. The train is planned as an attraction referring to the famous “Gold Train” from Wałbrzych whose whereabouts, unfortunately, have not been discovered.
Electric Multiple Units from IMPULS family are low-floor, open-coach trains equipped with full interior monitoring system, air-conditioning, state-of-the-art passenger information system with optional passenger counting system and ticket punchers. The interior is adjusted to the needs of passengers with reduced mobility: there are ramps, retractable steps, lifts, wide aisles and areas designated for wheelchairs and bicycles.
The total value of the investment project is PLN 250 million. The co-financing by the Regional Operational Programme for Zachodniopomorskie Province may reach 85% with the remaining part of the project being financed from the railway fund and the Province’s own budget.