Škoda Trains Undergo Rigorous Aerodynamic Testing Ahead of 2028 Launch
Prague, Czech Republic – Škoda Group is putting its new 26EV train units through their paces with extensive aerodynamic testing at the Research Society of Aerospace in Prague’s Letňany district. The tests, which began two months after the contract signing with Arriva carriers, are crucial for verifying the stability of the trains at speeds reaching 200 km/h (124 mph) and ensuring optimal performance when they enter service in December 2028.
The testing utilizes a 1:25 scale model of the train’s front car, positioned on a platform simulating rail conditions. Researchers are subjecting the model to airflow speeds of up to 75 m/s (270 km/h) – considerably exceeding operational speeds – to analyze its response to various conditions. A total of thirty different tests will be conducted, with the data gathered informing certification processes and refining the train’s design.
“It is indeed a low-speed laboratory, it is our second oldest building in Letňany,” explains researcher Jan Červinka, who oversees four aerodynamic
