PKP Intercity (Poland) orders new high-speed trainsets

PKP Intercity has ordered 20 new High-speed trainsets from Alstom. In a contract worth €665 million, including a specialized maintenance facility and a maintenance contract. The sets will be seven cars with a capacity of 402 passengers. Intended for use initially on the Gdansk - Warsaw - Krakow/Katowice corridor, PKP has specified that Alstom must also homologate them for Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. The trainsets will be based on Alstom’s latest Pendolino design, but will not feature tilting capability which is not needed in Poland. They will also be equipped with ERTMS (ETCS). When they enter service they are expected to reduce running time between Warsaw and Gdansk by 45 minutes, Warsaw and Krakow or Katowice by 25 minutes. Top speed will be 250 kph (155 mph).

Link to article on subject with photo of proposed train set, {from Railway Gazette, on-line}:

http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/alstom-sole-bidder-in-polish-high-speed-train-tender.html