České dráhy or Czech Railways (ČD or CD) is the main railway operator of the Czech Republic and provides passenger and freight service via state owned rail tracks. It is a significant company in an international railway transport and a member of important European and world institutions, e.g. the International Railway Union , Community of European Railways and the Organization for Railways Cooperation (Asia and Europe).

History

České dráhy is the result of more than 160 years of railway history in Bohemia. Historic milestones include:

• 1828: first horse drawn railway in Europe: České Budějovice - Linz
• 1839: first steam hauled railway: Vienna - Břeclav
• 1903: first standard gauge electrified railway track
• 1918: foundation of Československé státní dráhy (ČSD or CSD) (English: Czechoslovak state railways)
• 1991: first EuroCity (EC) trains run on ČSD railways
• 1993: foundation of České dráhy (ČD or CD) after break up of Czechoslovakia
• 1993: started renovation of spinal tracks - railways corridors
• 1994: started truck transportation ("RoLa") on ČD railways: Lovosice - Dresden
• 2003: foundation of České dráhy (Czech Railways), joint stock company

See also

• Transportation in the Czech Republic

External links

• Official website
• National timetable information system
• National timetables in pdf format
• Actual train position