The construction of a new repair hall at the Czech Railways (České dráhy – ČD) Maintenance Centre in Cheb is progressing as planned, with significant milestones achieved in the first nine months of work. The demolition of the existing buildings has been completed, and the foundation for both the new hall and administrative building has been established. The steel structure of the 176-meter-long three-track hall, including the cladding and roof, has also been completed. Construction now shifts to the interior of the facility.
The new maintenance centre, valued at more than CZK 755 million (EUR 30 million) is expected to be completed and operational by mid-2026. The Cheb maintenance centre is designed for InterJet long-distance units as well as RegioPanter and RegioShark regional trains.
“Cheb is the only ČD Maintenance Centre in the Karlovy Vary Region. This investment will centralize maintenance in one location, streamlining processes and reducing costs. Trains will return to service faster and in optimal condition. After today’s inspection, we confirmed with the construction contractor that work is proceeding according to plan, and we expect the first Czech Railways trains to enter the new hall by mid-2026,” Michal Kraus, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Czech Railways, stated.
In recent months, construction efforts have focused on building the hall’s shell and administrative building, following the demolition of the previous structures, including the northern rotunda of the historic depot. As work progresses into 2025, the construction team will focus on the interior, including the creation of repair channels, technological workspaces, workshop facilities, storage areas, and new office spaces. The installation of engineering networks, such as water, sewage, and gas connections, will also continue. Work on the railway substructure and superstructure, as well as the traction line, is expected to follow.
Petr Heiland, representing the contractor association of TSS GRADE and BERGER BOHEMIA, expressed satisfaction with the progress. “I am pleased to announce the successful completion of the supporting structures and cladding. We aim to maintain this fast pace and complete the project on time,” he said.
The new hall will feature modern technologies aimed at reducing energy consumption. The roof will be fitted with photovoltaic panels, and a system for collecting and utilizing rainwater will be installed. Heating will be managed through a combination of a gas boiler room and heat pumps. Employees will benefit from upgraded social facilities and specialized workshops for mechanics and electromechanics.
Key features of the new hall include:
- Three tracks, each with a usable length of 165 meters for maintaining complete train sets
- Mounting channels on all tracks
- A gantry crane with a 12.5-ton lifting capacity to assist with replacing vehicle roof components
- A hitch for attaching bogies or wheelsets
- Five sets of jacks capable of lifting up to five railcars or units at once
- Assembly platforms for accessing vehicle roofs
- Equipment for emptying closed toilets of rolling stock
- Compressed air and water distribution for vehicle armament
- Workshops, storage spaces, and social facilities
Czech Railways seems committed to modernising its infrastructure across the country, with plans for further construction of maintenance halls, car washes, and sanitary tracks. In addition to Cheb, a new repair hall is being built at the Maintenance Centre in Havlíčkův Brod. Other investments are planned for cities including České Budějovice, Olomouc, and Prague. Czech Railways aims to invest over CZK 12 billion (EUR 474 million) in its service facilities by 2031.
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