163 (ex E499.3)

The class 163 electric locomotive (formerly E499.3) is designed for DC operation on a 3 kV power system. It was produced by Skoda Plzen between 1984 and 1986 and intended for both passenger and freight services. Its maximum speed is 120 km/h.

The need for a new DC locomotive class became clear in the early 1980s. The class 140 and 141 locomotives were expected to be retired around 1985, and CSD did not have an adequate replacement. A dedicated prototype for class 163 was never built; the two prototype dual-system ES 499.1 locomotives (today class 363) were sufficient. Aside from the power system, these locomotives differed only minimally.

Locomotives that had previously operated in Italy returned to the Czech Republic in 2010 through RegioJet, a subsidiary of Student Agency. They were adapted for operation up to 140 km/h and fitted with the MIREL train protection system, then classified as class 162.

In total, 60 locomotives of class 163 (ex E499.3) were produced in the first series, including 9 units for the Italian operator Ferrovie Nord Milano.

(Source: Wikipedia, photo: Wikipedia - Petr Stefek)