ČSD Class ES 499.1 is a class of electric locomotives used primarily for passenger trains in Czech Republic and Slovakia. Now classified as Class 363, these locomotives passed to České dráhy, rail operator in the Czech Republic, and to ZSSK, rail operator in Slovakia. Class 363 is also used by ČD Cargo and ZSSK Cargo for hauling freight trains.
ES 499.1 locomotives operate both on the 3,000 V DC system and the 25 kV 50 Hz AC system.
History In 1980 Škoda produced ES 499.1001 and 1002 as prototype locomotives for the replacement of the existing ČSD fleet. Production series locomotives started to be delivered in 1984. Two single system derivatives were also created S 499.2 (AC) and E 499.3 (DC). During 1990 further development to run at 140 km/h lead to the ČD Class 362, but an order for 30 locos was canceled due to financial problems. Some ČD Class 363 and ŽSR Class 363 locomotives are being rebuilt as 362s. Since 2011, they have also been operated with control trailers.
Power regulation In 1980, these locomotives were the world's first multi-system locomotives with power thyristor pulse regulation. This regulation has minimal losses compared to older resistive regulation with much higher losses. This gave the locomotive its characteristic sound in three frequencies (the first is 33,3 Hz, the second is 100 Hz and the third is 300 Hz) when the locomotive is accelerating.
Usage 363s are currently used to haul these services ČD Prague - Břeclav Prague - České Budějovice Prague - Plzeň Ústí nad Labem - Cheb Břeclav - Petrovice u Karviné Brno - Bohumín Brno - Olomouc (- Šumperk) ZSSK Bratislava - Žilina - Košice
Disposition Source: 363 002 ČD363 003 - 363 016 ČD Cargo363 018 ČD Cargo363 020 ČD Cargo363 022 ČD Cargo363 025 - 363 026 ČD Cargo363 028 - 363 029 ČD Cargo363 030 ČD363 031 - 363 032 ČD Cargo363 034 - 363 038 ČD Cargo363 041 ČD Cargo363 043 - 363 045 ČD Cargo363 047 - 363 051 ČD Cargo363 054 ČD363 058 - 363 059 ČD Cargo363 061 ČD363 063 ČD Cargo363 064 ČD363 065 - 363 067 ČD Cargo363 069 ČD363 071 ČD363 072 - 363 075 ČD Cargo363 088 - 363 100 ZSSK Cargo363 101 ZSSK363 102 - 363 106 ZSSK Cargo363 107 ZSSK363 114 ČD363 132 ČD363 133 - 363 137 ZSSK363 138 - 363 142 ZSSK Cargo363 143 - 363 147 ZSSK
As of June 23, 2008, 12 363s remained in service with ZSSK, 23 with ZSSK Cargo, 63 with ČD and 47 with ČD Cargo.
See also List of České dráhy locomotive classes
References
External links
Lokomotivní řada 363 ČD (ES 499.1 ČSD) in Czech Prototypy.cz about the locomotive in Czech VLAKY.NET forum Czech and Slovak Railway Group in English video of this locomotive class