The initial Czech order for tilting trains was placed with Fiat Ferroviaria during 2000. As part of the Alstom take over of Fiat Ferroviaria the order was changed to Pendolino trains. The first set was delivered in 2004 as Pendolino ČD 680. During the testing period, the train had problems with the Czech signaling system. The problems were reported to have been solved and the trains entered regular service in December 2005 between Prague and Ostrava. As of late January 2006, all five of the in-service trains suffered from software and operating problems, ranging from failing air conditioning and heating to malfunctions of the tilt controls. The supposedly ERTMS-compliant ATLAS control system is unable to properly connect several discrete systems, each based on different software platforms. Similar problems have also been reported with the FinnishVR Class Sm3. All problems were fixed.
The train was featured in the 2006 James Bond filmCasino Royale. While in reality, the Pendolino does not actually operate the route, in the movie it was shown traveling from Switzerland to Montenegro. In the 2008 movieWanted, the train was featured with real Czech Railways logo and equipment.
Formation
The seven car units are composed as:
Class Nº
Type
Class
681
Driving Motor
2nd
081
Trailer
1st
683
Motor
Buffet 2nd
084
Trailer
2nd
684
Motor
2nd
082
Trailer
2nd
682
Driving Motor
2nd
Cars are individually numbered, with the driving motors carrying their numbers on the nose.
Operations
In December 2006 Czech Pendolinos were given permission to operate in Slovakia and Austria. In 2009 and 2011, one pair of ČD 680s operated as SuperCity Slovenská Strela between Prague and Bratislava. However, it was cancelled due to a low demand, since the train was not actually faster, but more expensive. During 2015 ČD Pendolinos operated nine trips a day in each direction on the Prague-Pardubice-Olomouc-Ostrava route, with some continuing to Bohumín and one continuing to the Slovakcity ofKošice. Twice a day the service is extended from Prague to Františkovy Lázně via Plzeň.
Accidents
On December 1, 2007 a Pendolino derailed in Prague. No one was injured but the train was severely damaged.
On July 22, 2015 train SC 512 en route from Bohumín to Františkovy Lázně collided with a truck at a railway crossing. Three passengers died and 17 people were injured.
