Train Derailment Disrupts Service on Tábor-Bechyně Line
A train derailed near Tábor on Thursday afternoon, halting all rail traffic between Tábor and Bechyně. Both the locomotive, a Class 113 nicknamed “Žehlička” (Iron), and passenger cars left the tracks, according to reports.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident. The Drážní inspekce (Railway Inspectorate) has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the derailment.
Initial assessments indicated a derailment involving only one axle, however, footage of the scene reveals a more significant incident, with the locomotive and two passenger cars having derailed. Jan Kučera, the chief inspector of the Railway Inspectorate, stated that the preliminary estimate of damages is 5 million Czech crowns to the train and 2 million Czech crowns to the station tracks. Two inspectors from the Drážní inspekce are currently on site investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and will prepare a final report.
The disruption comes as the line is already subject to a long-term closure for bridge repairs. According to Czech Railways spokesman Petr Pošta, the historic bridge reconstruction in Tábor represents a particularly notable project. The century-old structure, which crosses the Lužnice River on Central Europe’s first electrified railway, is being replaced with a faithful replica.
The railway between Tábor and Bechyně was closed on July 8, 2025, and is scheduled to remain suspended until December 12, 2025, for these planned repairs. The closure is due to the condition of the railway bridge over the Lužnice river. The bridge reconstruction will allow trains to travel at speeds up to 50 kilometers per hour, compared to the slower speeds previously required due to the bridge’s condition.
Currently, replacement bus service is operating between Tábor and Bechyně while the derailment is investigated and cleared, adding to the existing disruption caused by the ongoing bridge work. Passengers traveling in the region are advised to check current schedules and transfer information before their journeys.
The Tábor-Bechyně line holds historical significance as the first electrified railway in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, designed by inventor František Křižík. The current reconstruction project involves replacing both steel structures of the bridge, reinforcing the stone elements, and carrying out overall repairs. The work is being carried out by Firesta-Fišer, rekonstrukce, stavby, at a cost of 352.5 million Czech crowns, excluding VAT.
This latest incident adds to a summer of disruptions on the Czech railway network. Essential modernization work is underway across the country, including construction at Prague’s Masaryk Station, platform and underpass work at Kolín station, and work between Olomouc and Prostějov, among other projects. Railway officials are urging travelers to verify schedules and transfers, particularly when traveling to the Kolín, Kutná Hora, or Nymburk regions.
