Manufacturer Pafawag Formation ra+s+s+rb Operator(s) PKP | Constructed 1997 Capacity 235 seats | |
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Train length 86,840 mm (284 ft 11 in) | ||
The ED73 is a Polish four-car, long distance EMU operated by Przewozy Regionalne (PR), based on the ED72.
Contents
History
Only one unit was built at the Pafawag factory in 1997 and as a prototype at that. Until 2005, ED73-001 was operated by Wielkopolski Zakład Przewozów Regionalnych (Greater Poland Regional Transport). Due to it not being technically sound, the unit was moved to a siding. In mid-2006 ED73-001 was sent to Dolnośląski Zakład Przewozów Regionalnych (Lower Silesian Regional Transport) in Wrocław where it underwent general repairs.
ED73-001 was repainted into its original burgundy and yellow livery, and in January 2008 was actively used on Lower Silesian routes. From February 2010 this EMU is used on Łódź - Warsaw route.
Modifications
Although it is cosmetically identical to its sister machine, the ED73 features several improvements over the ED72. Amongst these are: bogies with pneumatic suspension; anti-skid devices; outward opening pneumatic doors (only one unit from the ED72 series had these installed); pneumatic doors between carriages; new transmission permitting a top speed of 120 km/h (≈ 75 mph); and eight traction engines with a combined maximum power output of 1,560 kW — allowing for an acceleration rate of 0.41 m/s² when the train is fully loaded.
The final modification was made inside the first class carriage, where a special compartment and toilet had been built for disabled passengers. Ironically, the carriage isn't designed to enable easy access for passengers in wheelchairs.