Esmeralda is currently immobile, located in the depot in Libni.
Esmeralda should reappear on the Czech railways. České dráhy is still dealing with the further fate of this unique car, but they are now counting on its commissioning.
“Currently it is immobile and is located in the depot in Libni. Its further fate has not yet been decided, but it is expected to be put back into operation,” said Czech Railways spokesman Lukáš Kubát without further details. Motor car number 812.613 (Esmeralda) is currently under the management of the Center for Historic Vehicles ČD.
Esmeralda is one of a kind. It was created in 2001 in the Pars nova workshops in Šumper by rebuilding a classic red local car damaged in an accident. It is a prototype. Esmeralda, as the whole set was commonly called, was only the first towing vehicle. On the other side of the train was also a unique and a year younger prototype of the control car called Kasandra, in the middle was an inserted wagon.
Esmeralda originally ran on the tracks around Rakovník. Between 2014 and 2018, Czech Railways used it on the Cyklohráček excursion train, but before the 2019 season it was replaced by locomotive 714 as unsuitable and is listed as non-operational. Before being dusted for Cyklohráček, it stood forgotten in the Rakovník and Louny depots for two years.
Because of its low floor, Kasandra continues to be used on Cyklohráčka, but not as a driving car.
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