České dráhy (ČD), the Czech national railway carrier, has begun offering multisystem locomotives of series 1216 and 380 for sale, as part of efforts to streamline and unify its fleet.
The move targets locomotives that are either present in limited numbers or do not fit into the operator’s long-term fleet strategy. Despite being offered for sale, most units remain in active service, allowing for a smoother transition to new operators.
From a European perspective, the offer includes high-performance multisystem locomotives suitable for cross-border operations. The 1216 series units are approved for operation in several countries, including the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany and Hungary, with selected units also authorised for Poland and Slovenia. With a top speed of up to 230 km/h, they are designed for both passenger and freight services.
The 380 series, built by Škoda, represents another group of universal locomotives with a maximum speed of 200 km/h and a power output of 6.4 MW. While primarily used in long-distance passenger services, they have also been deployed in heavy freight operations.
ČD is currently offering six units of the 1216 series and eight units of the 380 series, with additional 380 locomotives expected to be released later this year as they are gradually withdrawn from service.
The sale also reflects a broader trend among European operators towards fleet standardisation and efficiency, particularly as modern rolling stock and ETCS-compatible fleets become increasingly important, with transactions increasingly handled through specialised industry platforms such as RAILVIS.com.
For potential buyers, the availability of fully operational, cross-border-capable locomotives presents an opportunity to quickly expand capacity without long lead times for new rolling stock.
