Kraków 2025-07-13

EZT Newag EN79 = 45WE, Impuls.

Newag Impuls is a family of electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger trains built by the Newag plant in Nowy Sącz. These trains are low-floor, with the floor height in the area of the entrance doors being only 0.76 m from the railhead.

The first Impuls type 31WE (4-carriage) EMU was built in 2013. Subsequently, the 35WE type (6-carriage), 36WE type (3-carriage), and 45WE type (5-carriage) were developed. These trains became a single family, named “Impuls.” In addition to electric trains, diesel trains were also developed for non-electrified routes. They are powered by diesel engines (generators) incorporated into an MTU power unit. In 2020, the “Hybryda” trains were also launched. In Poland, a hybrid drive involves a dual drive: electric traction power, and when the route is non-electrified, the train runs on an MTU diesel power unit. By the end of 2018, 167 “Impuls” EMUs had been ordered, and by the end of 2020, 186 “Impuls” trains had been ordered. By the end of 2021, over 250 “Impuls” trains had been ordered. The Impuls II version has been in production since 2017. By the end of 2024, NEWAG had produced 217 Impuls trains (all versions: electric, diesel, and hybrid), and an additional 40 EMUs are currently in production.

“Impuls” for Koleje Małopolskie and SKM.

The first four “Impuls” EMUs were delivered to the Małopolska Voivodeship in September 2014. The trains began carrying passengers on October 1, 2014. The vehicles were assigned to serve routes from Kraków to Tarnów, Rzeszów, Kielce, and Katowice. Each “Impuls” train received its own name: Galicja, Jagiełło, Krak, Podhalańczyk, Trzy Korony, and Góral. The 4-car “Impuls” type 31WEa train in Małopolska is designated EN78. After some time, two more trains of this type were acquired.

On March 30, 2016, a contract was signed for the supply of eight 4-car type 31WE electric multiple unit trains and five 5-car type 45WE electric multiple unit trains for the Marshal’s Office of the Małopolska Voivodeship. The trains were ordered for the Fast Agglomeration Railway (SKA). In September 2016, the first two 31WE-029 and 45WE-014 were delivered. Subsequent trains were delivered, and they began carrying passengers in December 2016. In February 2017, the last 31WE trains on order were delivered.

EZT EN79-005 = 45WE-018.

Currently, the 45WE-018 designation is considered former, but it is still displayed on the wagons. The train has five wagons, which have the markings: EVN: 94 51 2 140 759-3 (PL-KMAL A), EVN: 94 51 2 140 760-1 (PL-KMAL B), EVN: 94 51 2 140 761-9 (PL-KMAL C), EVN: 94 51 2 140 762-7 (PL-KMAL D), EVN: 94 51 2 140 763-5 (PL-KMAL E). The train was built in February 2017 and handed over to Koleje Małopolskie on February 15, 2017. The train has been painted in the yellow, grey and blue colours typical of KMŁ. In June 2022, the train underwent level P4, P4/1 repairs in Nowy Sącz. In July 2025, the train received a veneer commemorating the 1000th anniversary of the coronation of the first king of the Republic of Poland – Bolesław Chrobry.

Written by Karol Placha Hetman