PKP class EN57

PKP EN57
In service	1962– (Poland) 1964–1991 (Yugoslavia) 1991–2009 (Croatia) 1991– (Slovenia)
Manufacturer	Pafawag
Constructed	1961–1993
Number built	1412
Operator(s)	PKP, PR, KM, SKM, KS, Yugoslav Railways, Hrvatske Željeznice, Slovenske železnice
Specifications
Train length	64,970 m (213,156 ft 2 in)
Maximum speed	110 km/h (68 mph)
Weight	123 tonnes (121 long tons; 136 short tons)
Power output	608 kW (815 hp)
Transmission	LK450
Electric system(s)	3000 V DC Overhead lines
Current collection method	Pantograph
UIC classification	2'2'+Bo'Bo'+2'2'
Braking system(s)	Knorr Oerlikon (later versions)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in) standard gauge

EN57 is an electric multiple unit used by the Polish railway operator (PKP). It was built for suburban and long-distance services. Presently it is used by Przewozy Regionalne, Szybka Kolej Miejska and Koleje Mazowieckie companies. Out of over 1400 units produced, about 1000 still remain in service in Poland, most of them with Przewozy Regionalne.

History

Designed for regional transport class EN57 was based on the earlier class EW55 units. EW55 were the first electrical multiple units built in Poland. They were built by Pafawag works in Wrocław.

Production started in 1962 and ended in 1993 with 1412 units produced, most of which are still in operation. This class is believed to have had the longest production period in the world for electric multiple units. The first units had first class compartments, but units numbered 602 and upwards were produced with only second class. Due to very long production period the series varies between specific production spans. Units up to number 1113 have corrugated sides and three windscreens, units numbered 1114 to 1825 have flat sides and three windscreens, whilst units from number 1900 up to 1953 have flat sides and two windscreens, resembling class EW58 units.

As the result of several fires and accidents, units numbered 201 to 206 are assembled from surviving cars of previously destroyed units. Since 2006, Przewozy Regionalne have modernized several units with funding from the European Union. The changes affect the appearance of the units, with the ends being redesigned. The interior was also changed. Mechanical and electric devices remain mostly unchanged. Modified units are being renumbered from 2001 upwards.

Classes EN71, ED72, and ED73 units were based on class EN57. Szybka Kolej Miejska which operates service in the Tricity area uses these units and has also modernized them, this being mostly to the interior.

Technical data

EN57 is a three car electric multiple unit with traction motors located in the middle car. The unit has four LK450 motors, each with power of 145 kW. The outer two cars are both driving trailers and do not have motors. Trailers are distinguished with letters a and b, with part a including compressor and part b including the batteries.

Each part of the unit consists of three compartments, divided by corridors. In the trailers only two compartments are for passenger accommodation, while the third was thought to be luggage compartment. In the motor car, all three compartments are used by passengers. Previously, there were toilets in all parts of the unit, yet due to several fires caused by neighbouring electric devices the toilets in the motor cars were removed. Class EN57 is capable of multiple unit operation with two or three units, using Scharfenberger couplers to connect units together. Each unit can seat up to 212 passengers.

Service in other countries

Three units of class EN57 EMU were exported to Yugoslavia in 1964, where they classified 311-0 (for trailers) and 315-0 (for motor cars). Another eleven were subsequently rebuilt from class 315-1 with additional trailers. As in the time of delivery Władysław Gomułka was the leader of Polish Polish United Workers' Party, those items were nicknamed after him.

See also

• Polish locomotives designation
• Szybka Kolej Miejska
• 14WE A heavily modified version of EN57, developed in mid-2000s

Resource

1. Polish electric multiple units technical data, URL accessed on June 8, 2007
2. EN57 unofficial website, URL accessed on June 8, 2007
3. ^ Mundkowa Galeria Kolejowa, retrieved on June 26, 2007.