Home Immigration Would you ride Romania’s WEIRD high-speed train? – Softrans Hyperion Review

Would you ride Romania’s WEIRD high-speed train? – Softrans Hyperion Review

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Would you ride Romania’s WEIRD high-speed train? – Softrans Hyperion Review

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This week it’s time for a ride on Romania’s own high-speed train, built by Softronic in Craiova, and operated by their passenger division, Softrans.

These units run at up to 160km/h (100mph) on routes between București (Bucharest) and Craiova, Brașov, and Constanța. Whilst this might not be true high-speed, the acceleration and speed is definitely the best in service in Romania.

In this video, look out for some of the weird aspects of the train’s interior, some of which are good and the rest not so. Also watch out for some of the really surprising stuff I saw out of the window, it’s something you never really want to see when on a train…

Enjoy!

Journey Details:
Origin: București Gara de Nord/ Bucharest North station
Destination: Constanța
Company: Softrans Călători (SFTRA)
Train: CFR 141 ‘RES’ (Softronic Hyperion)
Accommodation: Second Class Seat (2nd)
Distance: 140 miles / 225 kilometres
Price: 34.00 RON (£5.90 / €6.90 / $8.20)
Time: 2h06m + 17L

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32 COMMENTS

  1. oh man, you make this look so good compared what it actually is in my country. I couldn't stop laughing when I heard that Craiova was capital of culture :)))))) , that being the most uncultural city in Europe haha

  2. Superb video about this actually rather cool train. Built in Romania? Well done! 
    But pls. change "high speed" to "fast train" This is NOT a Highspeed train.
    Warning! Boring qoute:
    " The International Union of Railways defines high-speed rail as public transport by rail at speeds of at least 200 km/h (124 mph) for upgraded tracks and 250 km/h (155 mph) or faster for new tracks."
    I live in boring Sweden ( hence the boring quote ) and even our main operator SJ defines our fastest EMU's as "fast trains" knowing that they otherwise would mislead international customers not to mention all the boring Swedes.

  3. It looks suspiciously like a Z 2150 French regional high speed emu, capable of 200 km per hour. Perhaps the Craiova works built a copy under licence, or bought Z 2150 emus second hand, refurbishing them for local use.
    Just because a train is limited by track or signalling to 160 km/h, doesn't mean that it's not built for higher speed.

  4. I agree with Ciprian Neculai, Factually incorrect @1:50 High Quality New Electric Units operate Gara Nord – Bucuresti Otopeni for starters. And many of the older Locomotive-hauled longer distance services in Romania are a Great Pleasure compared to the over-priced uncomfortable Long and short-haul services in the UK. I have made innumerable trips using the railways in Romania, with electric power points at most seats for Phone charging, and the "Unofficial" Trinket, Drinks and Snack sellers (Usually onboard for Longer Haul Journeys) usually being a pure delight For the most part, whilst not the fastest, Romanian Railways are Clean, (Save for some onboard Toilets!) comfortable, relaxing, and best of all, affordable!! Eg Ramnicu Sarat – Bucharesti around 115 miles for about £8 with no advanced booking!! Compare that to £28 for cheapest tickets with advanced booking for a similar journey in th UK!! A wonderful country to vist, and using the railways is a great and affordable way to see many great towns and cities. Regards

  5. I'm not sure if 160 km/h really counts as a high speed train when that's usually the design speed of nearly all commuter trains. It does seem rather cramped, considering that the Eastern European loading gauge is quite generous. They're definitely bus seats, very like coaches from the 90s and early 2000s, hence the non-functioning recline feature, which it would have originally been designed to have.

  6. When l was a child we would go by train every year from Warsaw Poland
    to Constanca . The train was pulled by steam locomotive through Poland
    and USSR . But as it would enter Romania you could hear a low sound
    of the modern , powerfull diesel engine . We were pulled by Romanian made ,
    very modern for that time unit . Many yers later i discovered that they
    were made by Swiss liecense . The change from steam to diesel
    on this trips will remain in my ears for ever .

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