en.Wedoany.com Reported - PKP Intercity has launched certification tests for its first hybrid multiple unit on the test track at the Railway Institute in Żmigród, Poland.

The testing period is scheduled to run from June to November 2026, followed by an application for authorization to the Office of Rail Transport in December. PKP Intercity plans to resume passenger services on the Łomża to Warsaw route in June 2027, using hybrid multiple units. The tests cover running dynamics, braking, acoustic measurements, electromagnetic compatibility, and control and safety systems (including ETCS communication). The Żmigród test site features a 7-kilometer oval loop, curves with radii ranging from 600 to 900 meters, and a 1,314-meter straight section, with a maximum test speed of 160 km/h.

PKP Intercity signed a contract with Newag in July 2024, with delivery expected by the end of the second quarter of 2029. The agreement also includes a 10-year maintenance service, with participation from PKP Intercity employees.

The hybrid multiple unit is designed for a speed of 160 km/h in electric traction mode and 120 km/h in diesel mode. Each train is equipped with four Stage V diesel engines, providing a range of over 920 kilometers on a full tank. Each train has 179 seats, including 156 in second class, 21 in first class, and two spaces for disabled passengers. Passenger amenities include air conditioning, power sockets, USB-A and USB-C ports, individual lighting, a passenger information system, a bicycle storage area, vending machines, a quiet zone, a family zone, and a conductor's compartment.

PKP Intercity plans to use these trains on routes connecting medium-sized cities with major urban centers, including Warsaw–Lublin–Zamość–Hrubieszów, Kraków–Mielec–Zamość–Hrubieszów, Białystok–Gdynia, Warsaw–Białystok via Siemiatycze and Hajnówka, and Kraków–Zagórze. The operator estimates that passenger service levels in approximately 70 towns will at least double, covering around 3.5 million residents.

PKP Intercity has also contracted with PKP Intercity Remtrak to modernize 14 Type 609A passenger cars for passengers carrying bicycles and sports equipment. Each modernized car will provide 24 bicycle spaces, 20 pairs of skis, and 14 snowboards, and will be equipped with air conditioning, a passenger information system, upgraded toilets, and a new interior. These cars are authorized for a maximum operating speed of 160 km/h.

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