This Czech HIGH-SPEED train has a SURPRISING interior (First class for everyone?)

Today, we are checking out one of the best trains in the Czech Republic aboard the České dráhy SuperCity service, which links Ostrava with Prague. Join me onboard this train with its unusually comfortable interior, where the entire train essentially has a first-class interior, even in the lower travel classes. So, join me for a trip on Czechia's premium Pendolino trains as I show you just why this train exceeded my expectations.
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Train type: CD 680 "Alstom Pendolino"
Route: Ostrava hl.n. to Praha hl.n.
Train: SC 504 / IC 504
Distance: 352 km
Journey time: 3h21m
Average speed: 105 km/h
Price: 649 CZK or about 26 euro.

[@micat1313]

Coming form Czechia, I just want to add that the tilting mechanism doesn't actually increase the speed all that much. The reason it is slightly faster than all the other trains on this line, is because it makes the least stops. The problem with (this) railline is that it's really lacking capacity, it's the only line connecting Prague with Brno, Ostrava, Vienna, Budapest, Warsaw, Košice, Vsetín and many other cities. With all the other lines branching out from this one which is only double track(!). That is also a reason why there isn't any 200kph section, because it would reduce capacity even further (mixing freight, long distance and commuter trains would be much more difficult). It is also a reason why the timetable travel times are so bloated, realistically a pendolino train could be 20 minutes faster even on existing tracks and if I remember correctly, they actually were in the past - we are increasing travel times with every modernisation, this is the state of our railways.

[@s.davidanantharaj5310]

From Chennai city, India. Thanks for your information.

[@Simon-Andersen]

Thanks for the detailed information! I also took this train back in 2019 from Prague to Ostrava and back then it took 2h55m, what a step back

[@MrToradragon]

Another "issue" is that it runs on mostly straight line where any train can reach 100mph without tilting. Only Section I can Imagine that tilting could be os any use is from Choceň to Kerhartice, or from Žichlínek to Záběřeh. Another issue is that for speed over 100 mph you would need to get rid off all level crossing, which is quite problematic, due to, well it is not NIMBY, but something like that.

[@qjtvaddict]

Soo European Acela 😅😅😅😅

[@qjtvaddict]

So you are making things worse??? Sounds American

[@val91201]

I've watched hundreds of train vlogs but never seen a second-class like this before; fantastic!

[@Simon-Andersen]

I dont think there are many trains out there like it !

[@linesided]

Make trains nice and people will WANT to use them. This is a nice train :)

[@dsdonovan]

Another great trip report. The motorized window shades seem like an unnecessary point-of-failure for maintenance.

[@Simon-Andersen]

Thanks! Seems like that to me as well, but ive yet to encounter a broken one on all the pendolinos ive been on

[@markoobid2005]

I took that train in 2009 when it still had the original interior, and already back then, it was a fantastic experience. Now after redesign the whole train feels very premium, it was one of the first to have the own airplane-style onboard portal with movies (before ICE or TGV!). They used to play the Smetana's Vltava music composition over the loudspeakers when arriving to Prague - do they still do it?

[@borispankovcin9359]

Yes, they still do and they also play a special music for Ostrava and maybe also for another place in the west.

[@markoobid2005]

@@borispankovcin9359 so it still has that special premium status on ČD. I forgot to mention: this is how you make the 20 years old train look brand new!

[@Simon-Andersen]

They still play the music on arrival, did not include it in the video due to copyright reasons. I know they also do it on the EC from Berlin/Hamburg :D

[@markoobid2005]

@@Simon-Andersen no, they don't. Travelled this year from Berlin. The music is specific for Supercity Pendolino trains.

[@Simon-Andersen]

@@markoobid2005 I'm rather sure I heard it on the EC earlier this year, but maybe I'm misremembering 😊

[@traxx75]

I travel all over the Czech Republic frequently because of school, and Pendolino is absolutely my go-to train (sadly it doesn't run as often as it used to, cause they are kind of running out of train units...). 2nd class car with the quiet zone is the best :), plus even though it's ČD, it's actually reliable 😄 . It comes on time and because it's an EMU, it quite literally cannot arrive without your car, so that you would end up without a seat XD (happens to me all the time with EC on longer journeys). The only other reliable train in Czech Republic is LeoExpress, but that one can get crazily expensive from time to time (and no quiet zone except for Premium...also the windows are ALWAYS dirty). So yeah, ČD Pendolino rules 😁🚆!

[@radimhoracek5683]

LeoExpress is an uncomfortable "tram" ;-)

[@MartinBrenner]

Used the train myself recently and while I had a neighbor, due to the layout the seats are wide and have separate armrests. Even though I booked only 2 days in advance the price was not much higher with 720 CZK.

[@saya-mi]

As somebody from Ostrava, I highly recommand using Svinov train station over the main station if you are just slightly closer. It's so much better...

[@opicaskorica564]

Svinov len ak ide zo svinova alebo poruby

[@Simon-Andersen]

Ill be back in Ostrava next year, might have to do that then :D

[@vojtechkuzel1505]

In fact the first class makes a difference. Welcome drink (sect) and a complimentary hot drink and a snack (sandwich, salad or dessert) is offered.

[@Simon-Andersen]

Ah cool! Still the actual hard product is very similar but i should have mentioned that :-)

[@Pidalin]

I never visited Ostrava, that train station looks totaly crazy with those escalators and going constantly up and down. 😀 I tried Pendolino in Portugal and it was a nice experience, our Pendolinos in Czechia are limited to normal tracks with 160 km/h of max speed, which is a pitty. Many Czech trains have totaly the same 1st and 2nd class, only difference is that there is mostly less people in 1st class and sometimes you have a waiter going there from restaurant, which is nice.

[@markmbalagtas2230]

Very good reviews Simon. Didn't expect the toilet review close to the end of the video 😅

[@samtrak1204]

Thanks for Czech up.

[@vikmite9635]

Took this train randomly on my typical route from Prague to Pilsen. Just now realized I got lucky... I thought it was nice! :D Good video!

[@Simon-Andersen]

Only a few a day, quite a rare catch indeed!

[@RAILEXCELLENCE2011]

Nice video

[@Simon-Andersen]

Thanks :-)!

[@s.davidanantharaj5310]

Jawa motorcycles made in Czechoslovakia in 1963 are favorites even today in India.

[@david4396]

You had to tap the button to get the water to work, it’s kinda dumb.

[@Simon-Andersen]

Thanks! That was not very clear to me at least, but now i know :D

[@miroslavdusin4325]

Nice review. The price is not such a bargain, I just had a look at the same ticket for tomorrow and it would be cheaper (584 CZK). But yes, that is not so much of a difference too.

[@Simon-Andersen]

I must have taken a busy train then, good value!

[@wellhausen]

A nice move! Unfortunately, it doesn't make the connection faster, or only makes it slightly faster.

[@blechtic]

There's a bit of a sound problem at 7:25-7:34.

[@Simon-Andersen]

Ah yeah, i must have missed that

[@Touchybanana]

What's the point of buying trains for that high of a speed if it can't reach it anywhere on the tracks.

[@Dqtube]

The problem with these trainsets is that they never pay for themselves because their potential is not used at all. We still have no 200 km/h line in operation and these trains were bought in 2003. They cost billions of crowns and provided greater comfort for only a few lines, but not a faster connection because of the unbuilt infrastructure. The rest of the passengers outside these lines often had to use trains more than 30 years old for intercity travel and even older ones for commuting.

[@HonzaGames3017]

Czech and slovak railway have maximum speed on railway 160 km/h (100mph) Thats the limit for all trains which have maximum permitted speed higher than 160kmph/100mph

[@Simon-Andersen]

Thanks for the update, i actually thought there were some 200 km/h sections just for the pendolinos

[@stepandolezal7155]

@@Simon-Andersen There are newly built sections which would allow 200 km/h, especially the southward corridor to České Budějovice, but we are waiting for the application of ETCS.

[@s.davidanantharaj5310]

Try Indian fast trains.

[@Simon-Andersen]

Maybe in the future!

[@charliemaligayo1962]

7:59 Big middle finger for CD for not providing running water. Good one!

[@johnnygomez7063]

you have to press the button to run the water!

[@Simon-Andersen]

Seems like i missed a button to get it to work! Not very clearly marked

[@johannessamuelsson6578]

Why do they show different categories in different colors on the main display? Isn't that confusing?

[@Simon-Andersen]

No idea, it does look messy

[@dragoner3211]

​​@@Simon-Andersenthe different colours on the information displays at stations was made to help passangers figure out their trains, with the green being usually the regional trains, red being the faster trains and yellow being the intercity trains, but thats only INSIDE the station, at the platforms it was only green, with the faster trains and intercity being marked with red line under the text.

[@MarwiX_CZ]

I know the Pendolino, I am from the Czech Republic and it passes through my city every day. But the average person from the Czech Republic prefers to travel by Railjet or InterJet, they are more comfortable and nicer.

[@markoobid2005]

How on Earth can the Jets be more comfortable with their classic 2+2 seating layout in second class, and less comfortable seats?

[@MarwiX_CZ]

​@@markoobid2005

[@borispankovcin9359]

@@markoobid2005 Generally they are not, Pendolino offers much better comfort for ordinary traveller. Seats used in 2nd class Pendolino are excellent, vastly outperforming ones that are on Jets trains. Not to mention 2+1 layout and excellent legroom. OP probably sees those trains only from outside or used it only on short routes. I use Pendolino on its longest route to Kosice, Slovakia quite often and I've also tried all ICEs, Frecciarossa1000 or RailJet. Speaking from my own experience, the only thing better than Pendolino was ICE 1/3 (so only those with older seats with big pillows) if we are talking solely about 2nd of course. Unfortunately the 1st class is not so good, suffering from the decision to use mainly bay of 4 style, with too small legroom for 1st class. So for 1st class, yes, Jets are better.

[@matpk]

@@markoobid2005still much better than Train from Chi Na🎉

[@jmsmilfajt]

@@borispankovcin9359 I have to say that Jets don't actually have better seats but their interior is otherwise fantastically designed and their ride is so smooth and quiet compared to EMUs. That's probably the reason why Railjets became so popular - their air suspension really makes you think even at 160 km/h if the train is even in the motion or not. That can't be said about Pendolinos with relatively loud traction motors and not so smooth ride. Yeah the experience is amazing but to ordinary travellers, Railjets feel a lot more futuristic.

[@radimhoracek5683]

Prý že "high speed" 😀

[@JackAddams]

High-Speed Train is Train running at 250 kmph or higher.

[@yeeeeeebooooooi129]

5:12 160 kph (100 mph) is the max speed on Czech's rail network, so more than 160 kph normal trains shouldn't went

[@Simon-Andersen]

Hmm i thought theren were a few 200 km/h sections just for Pendolinos, but maybe no longer the case?

[@yeeeeeebooooooi129]

@@Simon-Andersen theres is 200 Km/h zone but its just on testing circle at VÚZ (výzkumný ústav železniční, railway research institue)

[@jmsmilfajt]

First of all, there are already 200 km/h sections such as the Ejpovice tunnel, 1/5 of the IV. corridor Praha-Ceske Budejovice or some sections of the Brno-Breclav line but the speeds will be possible only under full ETCS control and probably will be exclusive to Railjets (or similar sets) and Pendolinos. There was an article last week that ETCS v2 was installed into a 1st CD Pendolino so it is developing but at a snail pace. Secondly, these Pendolinos are licensed for 200 km/h but they were initially bought for 230 km/h speeds.. however it did not make sense to maintain them for such speeds under a stricter standards if they were not expected to go over 200 km/h anytime soon. Also the Czech legislation is still not enabling official speeds above 160 km/h and even at just 160 km/h... the tilting tech of these Pendolinos can cut a lot of delays. Sometimes the train leaves Ostrava with 20 minutes of delay and arrives 1-2 minutes early at Praha hl.n. thanks to the tilting if there is a room in the timetable. Funnily enough delayed Railjets sometimes surpass their "enabled" speeds and travel at up to 165 km/h which is clearly visible at the train infotaiment screens. I think that 5 km/h difference is tolerated among the rules.