Today, I'm taking you on a trip aboard one of the biggest failures in Czech locomotive history. The ČD Class 380, part of Škoda's 109E family of locomotives, was plagued with delays and issues right from the start. These trains quickly earned a reputation for being unreliable across all three train operating companies: ČD, ZSSK, and DB. Now, in 2025, it seems these locomotives have become so uneconomical that they are likely headed for early retirement within the next 1-3 years.
Join me on a journey aboard these troublesome trains from the beautiful Czech town of Český Krumlov on the limited once-a-day express train to Prague.
Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/IntercitySimon
Train type: ČD Class 380 part of the Škoda 109E family.
Route: Český Krumlov to Praha hlavní nádraží
Train: IC 534 "Jižní expres"
Distance: 195km
Journey time: 2h29m
Average speed: 79 km/h
Price: 205 CZK ~ 8.20€